Re: Writing clearly

[cjcbrown -at- comcast -dot- net]

I might add, 



"Before using the word ensure, make sure your audience knows the difference between ensure and insure. " 



Connie 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com> 
To: "Dana Worley" <dana -at- campbellsci -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 7:53:49 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: RE: Writing clearly 

Dana makes an excellent point. Writers differ from one another in how 
they approach writing. Some writers outline. Some writers brainstorm. 
Some writers network. Some writers get drunk (and although this approach 
apparently worked for Faulkner, I don't see it working well for tech 
writers). 

So, a better maxim would be, "ensure that you've said everything that 
needs to be said." 


Leonard 

-----Original Message----- 
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c 
om] On Behalf Of Dana Worley 
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 6:01 AM 
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
Subject: Re: Writing clearly 

On Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 'Technical Writing Plus' wrote: 

> But you always should know exactly what it is that you want to say 
> (before you put pen to paper). 

I disagree with this point. If I am having trouble knowing where to 
start, I will begin by typing a 
random list of relevant points and work from there. In other words, I 
don't always know 
exactly what I want to say, but I do have an idea of the points that 
need to be covered. 

I don't think my writing is more or less clear because of this, but it 
certainly helps with 
composition. 

:) ÂDana W. 

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