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| Articles by Philip Yaffe |
71. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Mark Twain
May 15, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
Part 1 of an occasional series
I am a collector of quotations. I have been ever since I learned how to write, I mean professionally, not in primary school.
I am particularly fond of what I like to call "pithy prose". These short quotations can co...
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72. Why Clear Writing Means Aiming for the Lowest Common Denominator - and then Some
April 14, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
Some people have experiences early in life that seem to have nothing to do with their intended careers but later turn out to be crucial. I am one of those lucky people.
I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1965 with a degree in math...
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73. Columbo: What Can a Bumbling, Inarticulate Los Angeles Cop Teach Us about Effective Communication?
April 14, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
Decade after decade, perhaps the most popular type of television program has been the detective story, the traditional "who dun it?", presumably because people enjoy being held in suspense. It is therefore instructive to note that one of the most popular TV detective shows ...
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74. Making Sense of Nonsense: Writing Advice from Lewis Carroll and the Jabberwocky
April 14, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
The absolute, unalterable, incontestable hallmark of a good expository (non-fiction) text is its clarity. Whatever other attributes it may have, if it isn't clear, it isn't good, Likewise, if it isn't good, it isn't clear.
Clarity being the prime criterion, what p...
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75. Notes on Writing from Writers of Note
March 25, 2008
When I am introduced at social gatherings, the host or hostess usually says: "Hi, I want you to meet Philip Yaffe. He is a professional writer." I almost always get the same response: "Oh, really. What type of novels do you write?" In other words, people automatically associate the term "writer" wit...
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76. Can Learning Languages Help You Better Understand Science and Technology?
March 25, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
"I was 24 years old when I first began thinking and speaking in a foreign language. It was like being released from prison. I saw my cell door swinging open and my mind flying free. That was over 40 years ago, but the picture is as fresh now as if it had just happened." ...
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77. Debunking the 7% Rule, Public Speaking's Most Pernicious Myth
March 07, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
Have you ever heard the adage that communication is only 7% verbal and 93% non-verbal, i.e. body language and vocal variety? You probably have, and if you have any sense at all, you have ignored it.
There are certain "truths" that are prima face false. And this is...
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78. What Abraham Lincoln Can Teach Us about Clear, Concise Writing
March 07, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
Abraham Lincoln, America's iconic 16th President (1861-65), was never known as either a great writer or a great orator. Yet he penned one of the most highly praised and oft-quoted speeches in history. It was probably so good because it clearly expressed his controlled passi...
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79. How to Use Presentation Slides to Best Effect
February 22, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
How often have you attended a presentation where great attention apparently went into designing the slides - and apparently none into how they were used? Or the speaker played with the slides as if to entertain rather than edify?
Such idiosyncratic presentation te...
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80. Why Visual Aids Need to Be Less Visual
February 22, 2008
by Philip Yaffe
I was recently invited to a presentation by an accomplished speaker. Needless to say, his speech was well structured, his manner relaxed and confident, his eye contact and body language excellent, etc. He normally spoke without slides, but this time he felt they would reinf...
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Author: Philip Yaffe
