4 ms·

One of the things missing from Mr. Graham's musings is the context, e.g. academic, business. And a at least some clarification of what fancy words and sentence

One of the things missing from Mr. Graham's musings is the context, e.g. academic, business. And a at least some clarification of what fancy words and sentence structure are. Mr. Graham doesn't use the term, but purple prose odious to read and I would agree that complicated writing is often used (e.g. in academia) to obfuscate the key message and bolster weak arguments. On the other end of the spectrum too much simplicity is exhausting to read; short, unvaried sentences are boring. For informative writing, I agree that ideas should be clearly and concisely expressed for the intended audience. For this purpose I'd highly recommend "Make it Clear" by Patrick Winston, who was known for his work in AI, but also a lecture series at MIT called "How to Speak". Which words are deemed "fancy" in the English language requires knowledge of fluent English and jargon of the intended reader. For a native German speaker the word "ersatz" is commonplace, but it probably isn't familiar to many Americans. Likewise, Germans prefer "fancy" passive constructions--sentences that feel inelegant to English speakers, sound fine to Germans.

morley 4y ago
As a counterpoint, I think context matters the _least_. I've read a lot of business writing where the writer's mindset is clearly:I am writing for business, therefore I must sound business-like. Lots of "in terms of", "for the purpose of", "ideation", "develop needs", "affect change", "going forward". From what I hear and from what little I've read, a similar overwrought voice has developed in academia too. I've fallen into this trap before, partially to "fit in" and partially because it's hard to simplify. But many famous business communicators -- Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett come to mind -- show that clarity is more effective than sounding like the context.
- littlelady 4y ago
  I neither intended to imply that a writer must sound exactly like their context, nor did I intend for context to be interpreted as a style that a writer should achieve or imitate. What I meant by context was: (1) For whom is the writing intended? (2) What is the purpose of the writing? (3) What is the intended tone? (1) Is the reader an academic? New to a subject? An expert? A layperson? How old are they? (2) Is the purpose of this text to inform? To persuade? To entertain? To instruct? (3) Optimistic, pessimistic, uplifting, formal, casual? The most effective communicators will have a consistent (and unique) voice whether writing a newspaper article, a college text book, or a toast. I believe strong communicators consider the context of their writing or speaking.

morley 4y ago

As a counterpoint, I think context matters the _least_. I've read a lot of business writing where the writer's mindset is clearly:I am writing for business, therefore I must sound business-like. Lots of "in terms of", "for the purpose of", "ideation", "develop needs", "affect change", "going forward". From what I hear and from what little I've read, a similar overwrought voice has developed in academia too. I've fallen into this trap before, partially to "fit in" and partially because it's hard to simplify. But many famous business communicators -- Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett come to mind -- show that clarity is more effective than sounding like the context.

littlelady 4y ago
I neither intended to imply that a writer must sound exactly like their context, nor did I intend for context to be interpreted as a style that a writer should achieve or imitate. What I meant by context was: (1) For whom is the writing intended? (2) What is the purpose of the writing? (3) What is the intended tone? (1) Is the reader an academic? New to a subject? An expert? A layperson? How old are they? (2) Is the purpose of this text to inform? To persuade? To entertain? To instruct? (3) Optimistic, pessimistic, uplifting, formal, casual? The most effective communicators will have a consistent (and unique) voice whether writing a newspaper article, a college text book, or a toast. I believe strong communicators consider the context of their writing or speaking.