Writing well

[Sandy Coyman]

I'm tired of dreary reports full of cliches, jargon and general drivel. Seeking sources on effective writing. Going to APA conference, wondering if a discussion group may be appropriate. I think the profession should take a more active role.

 

[Dan]

You might want to hunt down a book called "Plain English For Lawyers" by Richard Wydick. Although it's written with attorneys in mind, as a planner I've found the book very useful. Pretty much, it tries to sell concise, plain English to lawyers -- that a statement that is made with three or four words is just as enforceable as one using 20. Every planner who is drafting a zoning code should

 

[mike gurnee]

Colleges are matriculating people who cannot write a descriptive, concise paragraph. It is not merely a planning problem. We have books and PAS reports on better communications skills. I am not sure that enough people care anymore.

I require writing samples when recruiting employees, and often have a written exercise as part of the testing. Many positions that I have sought do the same. Communication is that critical.

Good luck.

 

[Sandy Coyman]

Dan--thanks for the tip. Will check it out.Mike--Have started the writing sample as part of the hiring process. Its amazing, but disheartening what you get.

 

[Sandy Coyman]

List of words to be banned from writing with substitutes:Regards to--about. Said/subject--just delete. Aforementioned--stated above. You get the idea. Others?

 

[Michael Frank]

Sandy: You are 100% correct. This is a real shortcoming of the profession. I read a public opinion survey related to the status and quality of planning and a number of the negative comments were related to the obtuse and pretentious jargon planners often use. On my list of things to do, a really long list, is to write an article "Say want you mean and mean what you say". Mike Frank

 

[Sandy Coyman]

"Plain English for Lawyers" should be required reading for all. Excellent.

 

[Ken]

If it's any consolation, lousy writing and grammar have become the defining hallmarks of the American professional. I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard "access" and "impact" used as verbs.

 

[prana]

Ken- Your point is absolutely true, with the clarifier that "impact" is being used as a verb inappopriately, because per Webster's, it IS defined as a "verb: to pack firmly together." I don't mean to correct you, but you made me question myself and I had to look it up!

 

[Ian Welsh]

When I tutored students in writing I had one main suggestion: read it out loud. If it sounds awkward, clumsy or longwinded, rewrite and read out loud again. If you find you can't judge your own writing, read it to a bright friend without a background in your discipline.