Similar Posts
Like to play with words?
Bydr.kimLike to play with words? Need a diversion today? I suggest a visit to the Oxford English Fictionary. From their About page: Have you ever read a book and come across a word and said to yourself, “Hmmm, self, I wonder what that word means?”, and then gone to a dictionary to look up the…
Pros don’t settle for platitudes about audience
Bydr.kimKnow your audience! The most common platitude about workplace writing. Well . . . duh . . . who could argue with that? It certainly doesn’t describe what pros have learned. What amateurs need is GUIDANCE for getting to know the right things about their readers. My guidance, based on a chapter new to the third edition of Revising Professional Writing, focuses…
More on the limitations of style analysis
Bydr.kimNot long ago, I wrote about the limitations of considering only style as the textual element that determines plain language (or quality workplace writing). I made the point that over-reliance on style analysis is a reason software tools are not all that helpful. Well . . . I just had time to read the Johnson…
Kitty, ABC, and beautiful locations
Bydr.kimBecause I am busy preparing the Culverhouse College accreditation documentation for AACSB right now, I couldn’t travel to Waikiki Beach in Hawaii to join the Association for Business Communication (ABC) for the annual convention this week. I am especially sad about this because I am being honored as the winner of the Kitty O. Locker…
Plain language in a democracy
Bydr.kimJust taking a second to vent my frustration about the lack of plain language on the ballot I read this morning. Here’s a sample. As someone with an earned doctorate in English linguistics and writing, I would place myself near the top of any chart displaying literacy skills among US citizens. But I had no…
June 2014 Workshop Announcement
Bydr.kimFor the next two days, I’m excited to be visiting my alma mater to lead a workshop sponsored by LSU’s Master of Science in Analytics program in the Ourso College of Business. If you are curious about the agenda or materials, check out 3 Things You Need To Know About Writing in the Workplace.
