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Solving your writing problems since 1998! |
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~ The Write Way ~ Friday 24 March 2000 Electronic Newsletters
Greetings, In connection with this week's topic for the electronic newsletter, no decision had been reached as at the time of actually sitting in front of the personal computer screen. As far as management is concerned certain relevant factors have to be considered with reference to previous subjects. What's that? What do you mean, what do I mean? I said, I didn't know what to write until I sat down - it had to be something new. How many times have you been guilty of padding your writing like that? Come on ... 'fess up! We've all done it - school students are the worst offenders - they seem to think that quantity of words equals quality of content, but it's a bit like acne - most grow out of it eventually. However, there are still enough spotty-faced types Out There to torment the rest of us with their circumlocutory ways. This style of writing is called circumlocution - (Latin circum - circle; locutio - a speaking) or verbosity (full of words). Another term for this is pomposity - where the aim is to impress readers (or listeners) by using lots of big words when one little word will do. It's not just bureaucrats who practice it - although this group seems to have elevated verbosity to an art form. You'll come across examples everywhere if you keep your eyes open. Translate the following: In my view, though I do not propose or claim to be an authority on this topic, the sport of water skiing generally appears to be in many respects a rather dangerous activity. Huh? This means, I think water skiing is dangerous. Six little words can express the same idea as thirty-three! Verbosity has become rampant in some business and professional circles - the dentist used to ask, 'Does it hurt?' Now he wants to know if you're experiencing any pain. 'Group facilitators' now conduct workshops where participants are encouraged to get in touch with where they're coming from and to share their meaningful past memories with their co-workers. In the old days we'd get together for a chat. This week's quiz: For each of the following expressions, substitute one word - it must end in -ent. e.g. a piece broken off - FRAGMENT 1. a state of being satisfied 2. to think out something new 3. a suite of rooms forming a complete dwelling 4. working with care and not wasting time 5. an expression of praise 6. a putting off to another time 7. ready to happen 8. having power over all 9. not relying on anyone else 10.lofty and important If you have any friends who might enjoy The Write Way - please send them a copy and tell them they can subscribe just by clicking on this link: mailto:WritingTips-subscribe@onelist.com?subject=TipsLast week's quiz: Eliminate the jarring word: 1. fondle, BUFFET, embrace, caress 2. SINCERE, insidious, evil, guileful 3. rectitude, integrity, morality, GUILE 4. loose, desultory, THOROUGH, erratic 5. APATHETIC, hot, impassioned, fervent 6. inclement, unpropitious, AUSPICIOUS, harsh 7. mendacious, spurious, deceitful, AUTHENTIC 8. ephemeral, ENDLESS, evanescent, transitory 9. ENERVATING, bracing, invigorating, exhilarating 10.prolific, fecund, STERILE, productive, In the solutions to last week's quiz, there were a number of alternative answers (I told you they were a bit rough around the edges), and Mary reminded me of this one: On your definitions of fine, you omitted thin, opposite of coarse when
speaking of texture. Here's another fascinating site that Ron Brandon found - it's called Distinguished Women of Past and Present: http://www.DistinguishedWomen.com/ and it's an excellent source for school projects - bookmark it for the children in your family. Ron has found dozens of sites like these. They're listed at: http://www.ancientman.com/index.html Look under Learn about Things.Last week's contribution from Nick, prompted Daryl to send in this Medical Dictionary: ARTERY the study of paintings BARIUM what doctors do when patients die CAESAREAN SECTION a neighbourhood in Rome CAT SCAN searching for kitty CAUTERISE made eye contact with her COMA a punctuation mark DILATE to live longer ENEMA not a friend IMPOTENT distinguished, well known LABOUR PAIN getting hurt at work MORBID a higher offer NITRATES cheaper than day rates NODE was aware of PAPSMEAR a fatherhood test PELVIS a cousin of Elvis RECOVERY ROOM a place to do upholstery RECTUM dang near killed 'em SEIZURE a Roman emperor TABLET a small table TERMINAL ILLNESS getting sick at the airport TUMOUR more than one URINE opposite to "you're out" VARICOSE nearby (Daryl Grant - Brisbane, Australia)Even though the Oxymoron of the Week feature has been replaced by the Tautology this year, I still often receive some great examples - Sharon Haddock sent these: Computer security Resident alien Microsoft Works Tautology of the week: If you're a paid professional, chances are you'll get a lot of positive feedback and favourable approval from those around you who you mix with. You might even be given the opportunity to travel to far off exotic places overseas - if you do, you need to realise that this is a unique offer that may never be repeated again, so you should appreciate it.This week's Latin phrase is for those who don't have the chance to travel with their jobs: Aspice, officio fungeris sine spe honoris amplioris! (Face it, you're stuck in a dead-end job!) Regards, Jennifer To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to WritingTips-unsubscribe@onelist.com or go to the ONElist web site, at www.onelist.com, and select the My Groups link from the menu bar. This menu will also let you change your subscription between digest and normal mode.
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