Philip Yaffe's Articles in Non-Fiction - ABC Article Directory | Submit Articles | Article Search Engine

Philip Yaffe's Articles in Non-Fiction

Show All\|Display Category\|Title\|Newest\|Oldest
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". 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.