Fuzzy Thinking Results in Fuzzy Writing

By Dianna Booher

Imprecise words represent convoluted thinking. Consider these classics I’ve collective through the years:

We are going to pre-board the plane. (How can you board an airplane before you board it?)

I want to take a day out of your time to discuss this. (Not if I can help it! A day out of my schedule maybe.)

The appreciation of a host-controlled environment will become not only the best way but the only way to implement complexity of a distributed network. (Is the appreciation a way? Why would they want to implement complexity--job security maybe?)

The question may no longer be valid for all brick walls--changes in construction materials and methods jeopardize its truthfulness. (How can brick walls be truthful? Does the writer mean integrity or stability?)

A clear understanding of the conversion that will take place is illustrated by the diagrams that follow. (The understanding is illustrated? They have a diagram of brain waves?)

The following list of security coordinators has authority to write policy statements. (The list is going to write the statements? Does that mean the coordinators themselves can go home?)

Think about the logic of the entire sentence and make sure the words strung together say what you mean.

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Dianna Booher works with organizations to increase their productivity and effectiveness through better oral, written, interpersonal, and cross-functional communication.She is a keynote speaker and the author of more than 40 books (22 on communication) including The Voice of Authority, Booher's Rules of Business Grammar, Speak with Confidence, and Communicate with Confidence. Dianna is CEO of Booher Consultants, a communication training firm offering programs in presentations skills, business writing, and interpersonal communication. Successful Meetings Magazine named her to its list of “21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century.” Executive Excellence Publishing also named Dianna to its “Top 100 Thought Leaders” and “Top 100 Minds on Personal Development.” www.booher.com or call 800.342.6621.

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