Comments on: What your English teacher never should have taught you.

By: elizabeth burton - StartTags.com

elizabeth burton - StartTags.com — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:04:16 +0000

[...] by Elizabeth Burton on 11.11.09 at 12:22 pm. Hi, Liza. Good start! I much appreciate your work. …What your English teacher never should have taught you.Elizabeth Burton. Posted September 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm | Permalink. I tell my authors Never use one [...]

By: Derek Jones

Derek Jones — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:03:57 +0000

Mark Twain said it well – “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”

By: Mary Cullen

Mary Cullen — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:22:48 +0000

Terrific info here! In business writing classes, I always tell participants to “write to express, not impress.”

Bronwyn – your three specific strategies to ensure a more effective and concise text are brilliant: clear and methodical.

In business writing, smothered verbs are rampant and add much bloat. Here is illustration and correction for this: http://www.instructionalsolutions.com/newsletter/business-grammar-error-hunt-january-2009/

By: denoonan

denoonan — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:56:18 +0000

Most people with a keyboard just don’t take the time to edit out the fluff. Cellphone texters are pretty good editors, but they don’t have anything worthwhile to say.

By: Bronwyn C. Randel

Bronwyn C. Randel — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:17:25 +0000

Here are three specific strategies that help ensure a more concise and effective text:
1. Make a list, before you write, of the points that must be covered, and stick to it (like going grocery shopping on a budget – don’t get what you don’t need, even if it is lovely and on sale).
2. Ruthlessly eliminate adjectives and adverbs that are not critical to the meaning of your text. Use precise nouns and action verbs instead. A good thesaurus is a must.
3. Combine sentences wherever words or phrases are repeated. For example, compare the following:
A detailed financial plan is necessary for a family on a fixed income. This is especially true for families who would like to be able to take a vacation.
A budget is necessary for families on fixed incomes who would like to take a vacation.

Of course, these are not the only weapons in the arsenal of brevity, but they are easy to remember and employ.

By: Twitted by marlamarkman

Twitted by marlamarkman — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:43:48 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by marlamarkman [...]

By: Dawn Herring

Dawn Herring — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:44 +0000

English happened to be my favorite subject, and Mrs. Anderson was my favorite teacher. But, yes, you’re right. Less is more, no doubt. Succinct, tight writing is the key; it doesn’t have to be wordy to get your point across. As long as it has take away value, then you’re on the right track.

Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Be Refreshed!
http://www.journalwriter.blogspot.com

By: Elizabeth Burton

Elizabeth Burton — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:42 +0000

I tell my authors “Never use one word where ten are required, but never use ten where one will suffice.” On the other hand, beef up your vocabulary so you aren’t using the same words repeatedly.

By: Charlie Sim

Charlie Sim — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:09:52 +0000

agreed. shorter is better in general, but i would add this thought: it’s not even so much the length of your work, but the quality of words and ideas. for example, a short article on better business processes in telecommunications can be either filled with industry jargon with recycled ideas, or a sharp, fresh, insightful and motivating insight or commentary. Short jargon isn’t any better than long-winded jargon. Underlying your point of shorter is better is the idea of quality over quantity. The more words you use the higher the chance of dilution of meaning and impact. In most cases, the quality of your work will speak for itself.

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Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:02:11 +0000

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