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Philip Yaffe's Articles

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Questions of Faith I Am Dying to Have Answered Author Philip Yaffe, who is now approaching the biblical three score and ten years of age, is still seeking answers to some fundamental questions, notable regarding what appear to be factual and moral discrepancies in the Bible. Could someone help him find the answers? Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Gertrude Stein American writer Gertrude Stein spent most of her life in France. She wrote novels, plays, stories, libretti, and poems, but is best remembered for a line from a 1913 poem, "A rose is a rose is a rose." She was noted for her sometimes arcane observations formulated in "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan Over the past 40-plus years as a journalist and marketing communication consultant, I have frequently been told that I am an exceptionally good writer by teachers, friends, colleagues, and clients. But I wasn’t always a good writer; in fact, I used be a very bad one. So what happened to bring about this monumental change? How to Make Dull Information Exciting Someone once said: "There is no dull information, only dull writers." Dull texts and dull presentations on "dull" subjects are not inevitable. The secret of converting dull into dynamic is a fundamental insight into the human psyche known as "Yaffe's Law". Common Misconceptions: Things We Know that Just Aren't So We all live with misconceptions about the world. This is quite normal. No one can be an expert in everything, so we simplify our learning into easy-to-remember snippets. These are often very close to the truth, but never quite there. Generally, our misconceptions are insignificant and do little harm. Some times they are very significant and do a lot of harm. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Elbert Hubbard Elbert Hubbard was a widely respected 19th century American philosopher, lecturer, critic, publisher, novelist, essayist, and biographer. He was particularly noted for his keen observations formulated in "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Can God Be Immoral? Much religious controversy and strife is generated by conflicting interpretations of immorality as dictated by God. But can the deity Himself be immoral? If you define morality and immorality as whatever God says it is, the answer is "No". But how can we distinguish between morality and immorality when much of what God is reported to have said appears to be blatantly contradictory? Pithy Prose: More Wit & Wisdom of Anon "Pithy prose" are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. A few people (e.g. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde) produced pithy prose, in their hundreds. Others only a handful, but these too are well worth preserving. This article (follow-up to an earlier article) is dedicated to the wit and wisdom of the most prolific source of all: Anonymous. How to Make Language Teaching in the U.S. Dramatically More Effective Americans are notoriously poor at learning to speak other languages. Because it is country as big as a continent with only one dominant language, learning other languages in the United States is a genuine challenge. Unfortunately, language instruction in the U.S. seems oblivious to this obvious fact, rendering an already difficult task virtually impossible. What can be done? How to write a corporate image brochure people will truly want to read Writing a corporate image brochure is truly a study in futility. Two things are certain about these expensive, glossy booklets: 1) almost all companies of any size feel compelled to produce them; 2) virtually no one ever reads them. But it doesn't have to be this way. Applying the "expository writing attitude" can lead to corporate brochures that people not only read, but actuallyrecommend to friends and colleagues. Is Procreation Inherently Immoral? The urge to procreate, i.e. having children, is so strong in all societies that it is difficult to imagine anyone questioning its morality. It is usually the other way around; not having children is considered suspect and even immoral. Where does the truth lie? The Road to a Perfect International Language As the world becomes increasingly smaller, the need for a common international language that everyone would speak becomes increasingly evident. Several languages de facto already hold the position, notable English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. For political reasons, an official common language would probably have to be an artificial one specifically created to make learning it as easy as possible for all the world's varied populations. What would such a language look like? How Americans Can Instantly Improve Their Speaking Skills Americans have long envied the English, who seem to speak with consummate ease, intelligence and fluency. Why this difference? As an American living abroad, author Philip Yaffe believes he has discovered the secret, and it is physical. "Knowing why the English pronounce their words the way they do can turn a poor or mediocre speaker into a superior one virtually overnight," he asserts. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Robert Frost Robert Frost was one of the 20th centuries best known and best loved American poets. He was also a teacher and lecturer who had a particularly pungent and provocative way of expressing things. His keen observations were often formulated in "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Seven ways French is easier than English French, like many other languages, is fundamentally much more complex than English, which creates a severe psychological problem for native English speakers trying to learn it. However, in many respect French has English beat hands down. By rejoicing in French’s simplicities rather than focusing on its complexities, learning the language can be made more rapid and more enjoyable than you might have expected. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Blaise Pascal Blaise Pascal (1623 -1662) was a mathematical prodigy. At 16, he published a significant work on the geometry of conical sections. At 19, he invented the first gear-driven calculating machine. He also helped to found the modern theory of probability. Pascal's Law is the basis for the hydraulic press, hydraulic brakes, and other important applications. His most important work of philosophy is titled simply "Pensées" (Thoughts). A very unusual pet Most of us fondly remember a particular pet we had when growing up. Author Philip Yaffe was luckier than most kids. His pet was not only special; it was virtually unbelievable Creativity and Common Sense in Non-Consumer Advertising Doctors are perhaps the hardest “sell” in the world. Doctors don’t buy medicines, but ideas and information that pharmaceutical companies hope will eventually turn into prescriptions. The doctor and patient sitting together are the true point of sale in medical marketing. Understanding how pharmaceutical companies promote themselves and their products to medical professionals can teach valuable marketing lessons for us all. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Eric Hoffer Eric Hoffer was a largely self-educated dockworker and migrant farm labourer. In his middle years he turned to writing. "The True Believer", a study of fanaticism and mass movements, has become a classic because of Hoffer's penetrating insights and "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. How Crafty Word Order Can Instantly Improve Your Writing Most writing tips are ineffective because they are not obviously linked to one or more of the fundamental principles of the writing craft. Here is a tip that is in fact linked to three of them. It is therefore dramatically effective and could be the single most important writing tip that you will ever read. Don't Let Good Grammar Spoil Good Writing Good grammar is fundamental to good writing, right? Wrong. However, years of experience working with people who use English as a second or third language have demonstrated that focusing too much on grammar can actually be detrimental to good writing. It's a question of priorities. How to Anticipate The Unexpected "Anticipating the unexpected" would seem to be a contradiction in terms. Nevertheless, it is possible to develop a mindset such that when the unexpected happens, one is prepared to take it on board and deal with it. Rising to The Linguistic Challenge Americans and other native English speakers seldom learn other languages, because they seldom have the opportunity to use them outside the classroom. Most language courses seem to ignore this very obvious fact. To improve learning, language courses for native English speakers need to be fundamentally rethought and reoriented to deal with the very real impediment. This article offers one possible approach. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Johann Goethe "Pithy prose" are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. A few people (e.g. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde) produced pithy prose, in their hundreds. Others only a handful, but these too are well worth preserving. This article is dedicated to the wit and wisdom of German writer and dramatist Johann Goethe. Why Does Time Go Faster As We Get Older? According to the adage, "The older you get, the faster time seems to go." But why should this be? After all, according to the parallel adage, "Time flies when you are having fun." But as we age, time seems to fly whether we are having fun or not. So what is going on? Here's a possible explanation. Isn't it Time for the Metric System to Stop Going Around in Circles? The metric system has taken over the world. Meters, grams, liters, etc., are everywhere; the number of countries that don't use the metric system can be counted on the fingers of single hand. Now that it is so firmly established, it would seem appropriate to update it by adding a few more important measurements that still rely on cumbersome, old-fashioned non-metric units -- the hours of the day and the degrees of a circle. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of People Named 'H' "Pithy prose" are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. A few people (e.g. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde) produced pithy prose, in their hundreds. Others only a handful, but these too are well worth preserving. This article is dedicated to the wit and wisdom of people with surnames beginning with "H". Shakespeare: What Can a Great Poet Teach Us about Clear, Concise Expository Writing? William Shakespeare was unquestionably one of the world's greatest poets and playwrights; his way with words was inimitable. So what can this incomparable genius of evocative fiction teach us about writing clear, concise non-fiction? You'd be amazed! How to Apply the Three Acid Tests of Persuasive Writing "If you don't know what you are looking for, you are unlikely to find it, even if it's right in front of your nose." -- Anon. The three "acid tests" of persuasive writing tell you exactly what to look for when writing and editing your own texts, or when evaluating and approving those of others. How Verbal Variety Kills Comprehension Some writers will do nearly anything to avoid repeating a word to achieve "verbal variety". The fact is, judicious repetition aids readability and comprehension while varied vocabulary can actually harm it. The trick is to know when to be the same and when to be different. Myths and Realities of Writing for the Web It is often said that writing for the Web is fundamentally different from other types of writing. It isn't. Good writing is good writing whether it is printed on paper or on a screen. Because of this erroneous belief, some advice given about writing for the Web is significantly detrimental. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Friedrich Nietzsche Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher who questioned ideas and dogmas that were not "life-affirming". His keen observations were often formulated in "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Ambrose Bierce Ambrose Bierce was an American journalist and author. He is best remembered for "The Devil’s Dictionary" (1906), which is the epitome of "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Anatole France Anatole France was a prolific French novelists and essayist who in 1921 won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was renowned his deep thinking and "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Can the Fundamental Principles of Non-fiction Writing Be Applied to Fiction? Fiction and non-fiction may seem to be contrary by nature; however, they have much in common. The fact is, by applying the three fundamental principles of non-fiction writing you can make any piece of fiction significantly more engrossing, intriguing, and captivating. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of People Named 'W' "Pithy prose" are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. A few people (e.g. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde) produced pithy prose, in their hundreds. Others only a handful, but, these too are well worth preserving. This article is dedicated to the wit and wisdom of people with surnames beginning with "W". Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde was an illustrious Irish dramatist, novelist, and poet. He was renowned for his "pithy prose". These are quotations that say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Mark Twain Mark Twain famously observed, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." Quotations like this are called "pithy prose". They can cover an unlimited variety of subjects: love, religion, politics, human nature, etc. What unites them is their ability to say more in one or two sentences than could be expressed in a thousand-word treatise. They are like pouring a liter of liquid into a half-liter bottle. Why Clear Writing Means Aiming for the Lowest Common Denominator - and then Some Someone once said, "Nothing is so simple that it can't be misunderstood." Thus, when conveying ideas and information, you should always aim for the lowest common denominator. Far from "dumbing down", recognizing and applying the truth of this dictum is the only sure path to successful writing and speaking. Columbo: What Can a Bumbling, Inarticulate Los Angeles Cop Teach Us about Effective Communication? Columbo, the apparently bumbling, inarticulate Los Angeles cop of the popular 1970s television series, always cornered the criminal. While obviously fiction, the show's structure and Columbo's methods have important lessons for expository (non-fiction) writers and speakers. Making Sense of Nonsense: Writing Advice from Lewis Carroll and the Jabberwocky Author Lewis Carroll is renowned for his light, almost fluffy children's books and his nonsensical poems, most notably "The Jabberwocky" from Alice through the Looking Glass. So what can we learn from him about clear, concise, persuasive expository (non-fiction) writing. Actually, a great deal, because under the surface "The Jabberwocky" is a meticulously crafted and masterly executed example of clear, concise, persuasive prose. Notes on Writing from Writers of Note Why do people almost always equate the term "writer" with creative writing (fiction) and almost never with expository writing (non-fiction)? In trying to find the answer to this question, expository writer Philip Yaffe discovered that the two genres, in many ways distinct and divergent, nevertheless have many features in common. The two types of writers can profit from these similarities in order to better exploit the differences. Can Learning Languages Help You Better Understand Science and Technology? What do science and languages have in common? According to author Philip Yaffe, knowing something about science can ease the way towards learning languages, and vice versa. To take advantage of this surprisingly symbiosis, he argues that language teaching should be radically reformed, especially in English-speaking countries, where both science and language learning seem to be in decline. Debunking the 7% Rule, Public Speaking's Most Pernicious Myth 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 one of them. Asserting that what you say is the least important part of a speech insults not only the intelligence of your audience, but your own intelligence as well. What Abraham Lincoln Can Teach Us about Clear, Concise Writing 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 passion towards the monumental event he was talking about. Nevertheless, it is possible to dispassionately analyze it and draw some important lessons. How to Use Presentation Slides to Best Effect Many presenters pay great attention to designing slides and virtually none to how they are used. This discordance gives rise to the calumnious phrase "death by PowerPoint". PowerPoint and other visual aids can significantly enhance a presentation if properly employed and significantly detract from it if not. Fortunately, the problem can be easily resolved. By recognizing and applying three basic principles of slide presentations, you can make "death by PowerPoint" completely disappear. Why Visual Aids Need to Be Less Visual There is a false belief that most presentation slides - if not all of them - should be illustrated. If your objective is to show the beauty of a tourist destination, the genius of an architectural concept, the difficulty of a manufacturing procedure, etc., then illustrations make sense. But they can be distracting and therefore detrimental. This article defines principles and offers suggestions for making slides that will truly help presentations rather than hindering them. Fixing the Flaws in the 10 Principles of Clear Writing A widely circulated list of 10 Principles of Clear Writing offers much useful advice. However, these “principles” are really tips and techniques. By understanding the true principles that underlie them, they can be used with even greater effectiveness and impact. Is a Worldwide Common Language Just over the Horizon? An official common language for the world - one that would be spoken by virtually everyone virtually ever where on the planet – would appear to be a utopian dream. However, the first significant step towards realizing the dream seems about to be taken. This article discusses when and where this is likely to happen and the probable path to an official worldwide language once the process has been set in motion Yaffe’s Law vs. Murphy’s Law: A New Look at an Old Problem Murphy’s Law is considered by many to be the fundamental law of the universe. It states: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Philip Yaffe claims to have found a loophole regarding writing and speaking. In this article, he shows how Yaffe’s Law can be used to counteract Murphy’s Law, leading to more persuasive marketing plans, sales letters, financial reports, etc., as well as speeches and oral presentations people will be eager to attend and actually listen to. Laugh Your Way to Persuasive Communication If you can tell a joke well, you already possess many of the skills you need to write a persuasive marketing plan, sales letter, financial report, new product proposal, etc. Equally, you already possess many of the skills you need to prepare persuasive speeches and other types of oral presentations. This article shows how to use the hidden attributes of good jokes in all areas of persuasive communication. Indescribable Utah: Nature’s Munificent Masterpiece Visitors to the USA, and even Americans, often head to California as their n° 1 tourist destination. Author Philip Yaffe, a passionate California native, advises putting Utah at the top of the list. Why Utah? “Joshua Tree, King’s Canyon, Lasen, Sequoia, Yosemite, the coastline and other natural splendors are well worth seeing. And Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco are exciting cities. However, what you will experience in Utah will literally blow your mind.” See if you agree. Should English Be Designated the World’s Official Common Language? As the world continues to get smaller, there is increasing awareness of the need for a worldwide common language. This would be a language you could learn and be certain you could use virtually everywhere you go. For historical reasons, English already more or less fulfils this role, but it is still far from universal. Should English be more intensively promoted or should it be replaced by something better suited to the purpose? The Sin of Arrogant Advertising Is advertising an art or a science? In fact, it is both; however, the science is often sacrificed in the drive for “creativity”. Test Advertising Methods, a classic treatise on the subject, rigorously explodes many cherished myths. Armed with these field-tested insights, we can better harness art and science to work in tandem towards achieving advertising’s one true objective—influencing customers. This article offers suggestions on how to use this knowledge to avoid costly misadventures. Techniques of Persuasive Communication: Old Wisdom in a New Package Fully considering the reader’s point of view when writing is a fundamental principle of persuasive communication. Its purpose is to bring readers into your text and hold their attention while you present your arguments. However, too often we confuse our ideas and interests for those of our audience, producing the opposite effect. A new formulation of the principle, Yaffe’s Law, provides clear, functional safeguards against going off-track en route to this laudable objective. Stop Writing Press Releases. Start Writing News Releases. Journalists hate “press releases” and love “news releases”. Although most people use these terms interchangeably, there is a significant difference. Understanding this difference can dramatically increase the publication rate of your press information. This article describes the two fundamental aspects of a news release to ensure your media success. Fast-tracking Foreign Languages: How to Meet the Linguistic Challenges of Working Abroad Native English-speakers are exhorted to learn foreign languages to play a more effective role in globalisation—and failing miserably. There are good reasons for this. Whilst these factors explain why so few anglophones are multi-lingual, they are not valid excuses for not learning other languages when the situation calls for it. This article offers a number of tips and strategies specifically designed to help native English speakers learn foreign languages with the least pain and most gain. How to Improve Your Writing by Standing on Your Head Newspapers provide the best examples of clear, concise writing you can find anywhere; otherwise people wouldn’t read them. Journalists not only write superbly well, they do so extremely rapidly. Learning how they work their “daily miracles” can help you write better at your more leisurely pace. The Mathematics of Persuasive Communication This article defines the fundamental but frequently neglected principles of persuasive communication. These principles are easily applicable to virtually all kinds of writing and speaking. The article is based on the book In the “I” of the Storm: the Simple Secrets of Writing & Speaking (Almost) like a Professional.