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Exactly! The "jot list," as it's sometimes called, can prove a useful
way to begin to organize your thoughts as a preface to knowing what you
wish to say before you say it.
Great discussion, BTW. In addition to the aforementioned Strunk & White,
and "Politics and the English Language," I'd propose "The Lively Art of
Writing" and "Simple and Direct" as helpful resources on expository
writing.
There's also a fine chapter on "The Writer's Art" in my edition of
Mencher's "News Reporting and Writing." I especially like this pithy
advice in one of the glossies: "Facts first, words second." Mencher goes
on to develop the theme that it's more important to be clear and
accurate in non-fiction writing than it is to be creative and colorful
in our diction and delivery. Good advice.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of 'Technical Writing Plus'
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 8:21 AM
To: Tekwrl
Cc: Dana Worley
Subject: Re: Writing clearly
Dana, I do not believe that you are disagreeing. What you are doing is
this: Sometimes you are using written expression to discover what it is
that you want (or need) to say. This idea does not go against what the
'knowing exactly what it is' thing at all. Jim
-----Original Message-----
>From: Dana Worley <dana -at- campbellsci -dot- com>
>Sent: May 20, 2010 8:01 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.
>
>:) Dana W.
>
>
>
> ***************************
>Dana Worley
>Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group Campbell
>Scientific, Inc.
>Microsoft MVP, Windows Help
>
>www.jestersbaubles.etsy.com
>
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