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Philip Yaffe is a former writer with The Wall Street Journal and international marketing communication consultant. Now semi-retired, he teaches courses in persuasive communication in Brussels, Belgium. Because his clients use English as a second or third language, his approach to writing and public speaking is somewhat different from other communication coaches. He is the author of In the “I” of the Storm: the Simple Secrets of Writing & Speaking (Almost) like a Professional. Contact: phil.yaffe@yahoo.com.
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Pithy Prose: the Wit & Wisdom of Mark TwainMark Twain famously observed, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." Quotations like this one are called "pithy prose". They can cover an unlimited variety of subjects: love, religion, politics, human nature, etc. What unites them is their ability to say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Why Clear Writing Means Aiming for the Lowest Common Denominator - and Then SomeSomeone once said, "Nothing is so simple that it can't be misunderstood." Thus, when conveying ideas and information, you should always aim for the lowest common denominator. Far from "dumbing down", recognizing and applying the truth of this dictum is the only sure path to successful writing and speaking. Columbo: What Can a Bumbling, Inarticulate Los Angeles Cop Teach Us About Effective Communication?Columbo, the apparently bumbling, inarticulate Los Angeles cop of the popular 1970s television series, always cornered the criminal. While obviously fiction, the show's structure and Columbo's methods have important lessons for expository (non-fiction) writers and speakers. Making Sense of Nonsense: Writing Advice From Lewis Carroll and the JabberwockyAuthor Lewis Carroll is renowned for his light, almost fluffy children's books and his nonsensical poems, most notably "The Jabberwocky" from Alice through the Looking Glass. So what can we learn from him about clear, concise, persuasive expository (non-fiction) writing. Actually, a great deal, because under the surface "The Jabberwocky" is a meticulously crafted and masterly executed example of clear, concise, persuasive prose. Notes on Writing From Writers of NoteWhy do people almost always equate the term "writer" with creative writing (fiction) and almost never with expository writing (non-fiction)? In trying to find the answer to this question, expository writer Philip Yaffe discovered that the two genres, in many ways distinct and divergent, nevertheless have many features in common. The two types of writers can profit from these similarities in order to better exploit the differences. Can Learning Languages Help You Better Understand Science and Technology?What do science and languages have in common? According to author Philip Yaffe, knowing something about science can ease the way towards learning languages, and vice versa. To take advantage of this surprisingly symbiosis, he argues that language teaching should be radically reformed, especially in English-speaking countries, where both science and language learning seem to be in decline. Debunking the 7% Rule, Public Speaking's Most Pernicious MythHave you ever heard the adage that communication is only 7% verbal and 93% non-verbal, i.e. body language and vocal variety? You probably have, and if you have any sense at all, you have ignored it. There are certain "truths" that are prima face false. And this is one of them. Asserting that what you say is the least important part of a speech insults not only the intelligence of your audience, but your own intelligence as well. What Abraham Lincoln Can Teach Us About Clear, Concise WritingAbraham Lincoln, America's iconic 16th President (1861-65), was never known as either a great writer or a great orator. Yet he penned one of the most highly praised and oft-quoted speeches in history. It was probably so good because it clearly expressed his controlled passion towards the monumental event he was talking about. Nevertheless, it is possible to dispassionately analyze it and draw some important lessons. How to Use Presentation Slides to Best EffectMany presenters pay great attention to designing slides and virtually none to how they are used. This discordance gives rise to the calumnious phrase "death by PowerPoint". PowerPoint and other visual aids can significantly enhance a presentation if properly employed and significantly detract from it if not. Fortunately, the problem can be easily resolved. By recognizing and applying three basic principles of slide presentations, you can make "death by PowerPoint" completely disappear. Why Visual Aids Need to be Less VisualThere is a false belief that most presentation slides - if not all of them - should be illustrated. If your objective is to show the beauty of a tourist destination, the genius of an architectural concept, the difficulty of a manufacturing procedure, etc., then illustrations make sense. But they can be distracting and therefore detrimental. This article defines principles and offers suggestions for making slides that will truly help presentations rather than hindering them.
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