Gabfest: And Thereby Hangs A Tail

Discussion in 'Education & Personal Growth' started by Cimorene, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    I meant exercises with the specific intent of improving style. One could write a lifeless paragraph or piece and edit that for style, but that is like showing me a mountain and saying 'go get some exercise'. : ) When I was looking for a treadmill with built-in programs to choose from.

    Such as, a writing course, preferably in a small group setting, where all are given the same few sentences to improve in style. And do peer-review of the responses. Where, each one writes a 'boring' paragraph (by intent or by habit : ) ), and others improve that.

    Do you remember, a long time ago, you worked with one member in a thread on something like this? She/he wanted to improve his/her written English, and you both worked on small pieces that he/she rewrote? I have often searched for that thread as it had a link that I wanted to revisit. Couldn't find the thread. Do you remember that member's name? I vaguely recall the thread won a Finest Post award...
     
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  2. sokanasanah

    sokanasanah IL Hall of Fame

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    That thread is here. The OP was Alyssum (memorable - it's a flower!). She still posts once in a while, although I seem to have scared her off her efforts to improve her writing.:icon_pc::facepalm:
    What I tried to say was, find klutzy writing not your own, and try to improve it. Blogs and business-speak are full of easily recognized bad writing.
    I do have a sort of step-wise algorithm I cobbled together for the Asian research fellows struggling with their writing. I will post it one of these days - may be useful, as long as you keep in mind that treadmill programs help a little bit, but then you will still need some strength training, a little yoga or pilates and some training specific to your sport. On top of all that, you need to keep an eye on your diet, monitor your energy, up your endurance, and get enough sleep!:lol:
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2017
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  3. sokanasanah

    sokanasanah IL Hall of Fame

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    Just doing my bit to drive a stake into the heart of corporate-speak. I am endeavoring to assure non-resurgence through dynamic, multi-target delivery of paradigmatic anti-bs strategies to the core of the source-point, ensuring effective, durable neutralization.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2017
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  4. justanothergirl

    justanothergirl IL Hall of Fame

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    Arrey @Iravati ..tu zyada soch thi hai. Apology vapology ki koi zarrorat nahin hai. I was as usual struggling to explain that we were essentially going round in circles saying the same thing ...and since I was hard pressed for time i couldn't continue our discussion..I think I also had a sketch at work somewhere of ur flowchart to show that ur algo with all exit points is a superset of my rather simple solution. Never got around to posting it.Ask @Rihana ..u were lucky..usually I dont stop till I see opponent do this
    ...[​IMG]
    and u tell me u need to improve ur writing.. :BangHead:? 4 long posts after my original and I still couldnt explain what I was trying to get at... If anyone needs improving their writing skills its me .Sigh!
     
  5. Iravati

    Iravati Platinum IL'ite

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    Hehe! Mr Thor, why such repugnance for corporate communication. Loved your SNL parody. You are struck in the traditional corporate-speak. A lot has changed since then. Step out of that academic quadrangle and buy a ticket to the tomorrow's world. Corporate communication laden with stodgy jargon is of the yore. It's all quick and concise and fun writing with no circumlocution. Arey, why such a reproach at the corporate youth? I liked that observation which talks of recent overhaul in technical writing which I would extend to administrative and executive ... all kinds of writing in corporate world. Corporate-speak is stylish now unlike your presupposed notions of technical rhetoric. Kabhi time mile to tour upcoming startups. You, of all the people would be delighted to see crowd talking of your Bostrom and Batista Alberti playfully in emails. In fact, you might be amused by competing parodies of that above passage.
     
  6. sokanasanah

    sokanasanah IL Hall of Fame

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    See post 510.:rage::mad::cool:
     
  7. Iravati

    Iravati Platinum IL'ite

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    I will perform a background check on you later with Rihana. Mein bhi todi aise hi type ki hum. I argue till someone gags me: "Arey chup hoja meri mata shree". This is a common admonition for me in my circle. I will belabour threadbare till all the threads are reduced to limp atoms! You atleast retreat when a flag is waved, I won't budge till someone cuffs me and marches me away. Old habits hardly die!
     
  8. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Aah! That was indeed the thread. I should have asked earlier. I kept thinking the name is Absum. Over four years old thread. It was a beautiful thread and an experience to watch you two communicate.

    It had such diverse topics as Social Media, Education Today, Should India go to the Moom, and my favorite: Peace of Mind. : ) I have to read the thread again. To see the thoughts of OP turn into words and receive gentle transformation, and the same thoughts expressed differently..

    kyon bhai, what is wrong with today being one of those days? Why delay in auspicious work?
     
  9. Iravati

    Iravati Platinum IL'ite

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    Ab kya problem hai? o_O
    There's ban on "rhetoric" and "overhaul" and "stodgy" and "quadrangle" now?
     
  10. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Iravati and JAG, my dear mata shrees, please to include some more dots next time... I see my name mentioned and some background checks coming up.. and I am reading all recent threads to see the 5W and H. I look hard at the Technical Writer thread to see what happened. : )

    Then the proverbial penny drops. : ) And I am ROTCL (rolling on the chair laughing). So, baat ho rahi hai about Finest Post algorithm. Heh heh..

    Yes, Ira, JAG is my mulberry bush partner. Once in a while in Reln, we find a topic that takes us around the mulberry bush. round and round.. : )
     
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