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Can Dilbert Help Us Write Better?

Well, not exactly. However, the KnowHR blog points out a nice post on better writing by Dilbert creator Scott Adams:

Business writing is about clarity and persuasion. The main technique is keeping things simple. Simple writing is persuasive. A good argument in five sentences will sway more people than a brilliant argument in a hundred sentences. Don’t fight it.

And he adds a little color:

Humor writing is a lot like business writing. The main difference is in the choice of words. For humor, don’t say “drink” when you can say “swill.”

All this reminds me of a great Twain* quote that I like to share with people when I’m acting smart:

I’m sorry for writing such a long letter. I didn’t have time to write a short one.

*Gratuitous footnote: After years of this ostentacious Twain-quoting, I discovered recently that he didn’t say this after all. Blaise Pascal said it – in 1656.


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