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Examples of clear writing
As information increases exponentially, clear writing becomes ever more valuable. To paraphrase the "Creating Bits" chapter in Bit Literacy, good writing states its point upfront and quickly, and then ends as soon as possible.
From the Plain English Campaign come these examples of clarifying writing:
Before
High-quality learning environments are a necessary precondition for facilitation and enhancement of the ongoing learning process.
After
Children need good schools if they are to learn properly.
Before
If there are any points on which you require explanation or further particulars we shall be glad to furnish such additional details as may be required by telephone.
After
If you have any questions, please phone.
More fun reading on their examples page.
I think one should just say the facts once they know what facts to convey. If they don't know which ones to state, they should list what they know and pick the right facts, or stay shut--don't spread self-confusion to the audience.
Keep it simple and meaningful. Many Wiki articles could benefit from that.
Conciseness is difficult. Certainly most instructions are overly verbose and confuse rather than clarify.
I feel like I'm already rambling, ;) I do that a lot.
Peace.
Good point. I hate long winded rambling sentences, particularly in software specification.
Clarity FTW.
The motto of writers everywhere should no doubt be: "Eschew obfuscation!"
P.S. I do not know the originator of this phrase but it was passed along to me around 1987 or so by Tom (I think) Trump, and probably no relation to that more famous one.
As information increases exponentially, clear writing becomes ever more valuable.
Or:
The more information available, the higher the value of clear writing.
I'm glad you say clear writing rather than web writing. Most of good web writing is just good writing.
I've got a little blog post on this subject if you'll allow me to link to it.
http://www.goodusability.co.uk/2008/10/is-it-web-writing-or-just-good-writing/
ooh thanks!
"I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time." — Blaise Pascal
Simple, clear, and brief writing is not always easy to achieve. Some writers get caught up in bureaucratic egomania and others simply don't understand the importance and challenge. The skill is much more than arranging facts and using fewer words. Really, it is often more akin to other design tasks. I wish that this skill development was more valued. Instead, it seem relegated to the list of mythical qualities we all are sure we have without working on them: "excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills required".
I am constantly reminded of the need to write clear, succint sentences. My English teacher had it right: "Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation." However, this phrase needs simplifying, too.