Researchers have shown people who use “50%” or “fifty-fifty” often do not mean it literally. They mean “I’m not sure” or “it’s uncertain” – or more simply “maybe.” Previously, I wrote about The Ambiguity of Language. Words are fuzzy, their…
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Technical Communications: Plain Language for Clear Communications
“One of the things that sets an organization up for failure is to assume that plain language happens after everything else is done; instead, think about it right at the beginning.” – Christa Ptatschek The most recent session of Communitech’s Technical Communications…
Tagged with: AODA, Christa Ptatschek, clarity, communication, Communitech, ESL, Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, George Orwell, International Plain Language Working Group, plain language, Randall Munroe, Technical Communications P2P, Thing Explainer, Up Goer Five, words that work
Posted in Everything
Posted in Everything
Conversations, General Knowledge, and Your Career
“It isn’t enough to be able to do the technical aspects of the job – our clients need to actually enjoy working with us, as people, for us to hit our highest levels of efficiency.” Many people are ignorant. (How’s…
Tagged with: Brainiac, communication, conversions, cricket, cultural literacy, E.D. Hirch, general knowledge, Ken Jennings, rugby, soccer, soft skills, trivia
Posted in Careers, Everything
Posted in Careers, Everything
Language lessons from George Orwell
“The great enemy of clear language is insincerity.” – George Orwell If rock legend Bruce Dickinson ever tells you that you need more cowbell, then you should listen. Similarly, when George Orwell gives advice about language and writing, we should…
Tagged with: communication, George Orwell, language, rhetoric, words that work, writing
Posted in Advertising, Everything, Marketing
Posted in Advertising, Everything, Marketing
The “Ten Rules of Effective Language”
Dr. Frank Luntz¹ is a political strategist and pollster who describes his specialty as “testing language and finding words that will help his clients sell their product or turn public opinion on an issue or a candidate.” He begins his…
Tagged with: communication, Frank Luntz, lessons, presentation, public speaking, storytelling, words that work
Posted in Advertising, Books, Leadership
Posted in Advertising, Books, Leadership
The best kind of comma
Punctuation lends clarity and precision to communication, and as a consequence is a powerful toolset. Here’s an illustrative video that drives the point home. Perhaps my favourite piece of punctuation is the Oxford comma (up there with the semicolon). According…
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