Comment by iak8god
5 years ago
> I often write with some unusual but perfectly valid grammar constructions that are a result of being well read.
That's lovely for you. It sounds like you're very clever. However, most writing in the workplace is intended to communicate concrete ideas, and benefits more from clarity than cleverness.
That doesn't have to mean, and in fact should NOT mean, bland.
I think one of the important things you should be thinking about is whether (given your complexity is already tripping up automated tools) it will start tripping up your coworkers.
Yes. Bland is better than "unusual but perfectly valid grammar" any day of the week.
2 replies →
Bland poetry is bad.
Bland biz comms are not only acceptable but preferred.
Bland is boring and boring documents tend not to be read.
Succinct writing with some humor or at least some character to it will actually get that functional spec read.
Joe Spolsky wrote a good piece on this topic: https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/10/02/painless-functiona...
1 reply →
Bland is forgettable. You don't want important biz comms to be forgotten. Bland doesn't spark thought in the reader. Clarity is achievable without being bland
1 reply →
I hear clever and I think of the scene from Fight Club. Clever is not something good.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PXcEPSUl0uE