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Archive for the ‘Plain language writing’ Category

A jag on jargon

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

I have a simple approach when it comes to jargon. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to speak it. I don’t want to read it and I certainly don’t want to write it. But I work in branding, an industry, like many others, that seems particularly …

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Posted in brand development, brand voice, branding, branding industry, clear communications, Communications, Global, jargon, plain language, Plain language writing, simplicity | No Comments »

So you just graduated, now what? Part 2: Perspective from an English major

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Eight years ago, I could have used that halfway house. As an English major fresh from the cornfields of Grinnell, Iowa, I wondered what to do with a degree bestowed by the department of Humanities. (Oh, the humanity indeed). Although I could analyze Pa…

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Posted in brand, careers, clear communication, Communications, complexity, Education, Global, graduates, information architect, information architecture, liberal arts, plain language, Plain language writing, problem solving, simplification, technology systems | No Comments »

Why simplicity matters

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Simplicity is the essence of the golden rule. It’s an indication of consideration: I’ve taken the time to move the complexity of something out of the way so that the recipient of a conversation, a deed, a gesture, a letter, understands what I mean.

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Posted in complexity, customer loyalty, customer satisfaction, customer service inquiries, facebook, Global, Plain language writing, simplicity, social media tools, Twitter | No Comments »

The Zipcar of primary healthcare (And why it’s the perfect test driver for new government mandates)

Friday, October 28th, 2011

It’s Saturday, and you’re in a pinch. You click on to a website, find a location and reserve a time. No, it’s not for a Zipcar or Hertz on Demand rental. It is a new way to get medical treatment for anything that ails you. Need a strep test? Now …

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Posted in Electronic Health Records, Global, health insurance, healthcare cost, Hertz, HIPPA Statement, One Medical, plain language, Plain language writing, Prius, simplicity, Zipcar | No Comments »

Three people who should not be writing your content

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Writing is a funny thing. We all have to do it quite a bit in school. We learn the basics of grammar and spelling, how to write a five-paragraph essay, how to research a paper and get the citations right, etc. And so, most people who graduate high s…

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Posted in content development, Global, information design, North America, plain language, Plain language writing, user experience, user-friendly | No Comments »