Some years back, I met an All Blacks selector at a conference. When he discovered that I was a writer he said: ‘You and I have something in common.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Yep. Pretty much everyone thinks that they can do my … Continue reading
For several years, I had a cartoon pinned to the cork board beside my desk. It showed a dog listening to his master. From the dog’s point of view, the man appeared to be saying: ‘Blah blah blah biscuit. Blah … Continue reading
The cat sat on the mat. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that, in six simple words, is what happened. The cat sat on the mat. But that’s not what you expect to read when you pick up an ‘important report’, is … Continue reading
I recently read a document that ran to more than 50 pages. In fact I read it twice. I thought that on the first occasion I must have missed some important points. But, after reading it a second time, I … Continue reading
‘An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. And artist says a hard thing in a simple way.’ – Charles Bukowski Well, some intellectuals still say simple things in a hard way. But, over the past few years, … Continue reading
There is an interesting debate going on in the world of words. On one side of the table there are those who believe that standardised spelling and a few basic rules of grammar are essential to effective communication. On the … Continue reading
A couple of years ago, one of my colleagues was hired by a research agency to help add a bit of clarity and style to their reports. ‘I want our reports to be reports that our clients really want to … Continue reading
To me, fat has always looked and sounded like a fat word while thin has always seemed appropriately thin. But big is not a big word. In fact, it’s just the opposite: it’s a very small word. And monosyllabic is … Continue reading
I recently tried to read an article written by a woman who apparently regards herself as something of a communications guru. Unfortunately, the first (short) paragraph was a bit of a disaster. After reading it through slowly two or three … Continue reading
Back in the dim distant days of the fifth form, we had an English teacher who insisted that nice – in the sense of ‘pleasant or agreeable’ – could only apply to food. A ‘nice day’ or ‘a nice broad-brimmed … Continue reading