Articles, tagged with "philip yaffe", page 2

Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Anatole France

by Philip Yaffe Part 4 of an occasional series I am a collector of quotations. I have been ever since I learned how to write, I mean professionally, not in primary school. I am particularly fond of what I like to call "pithy prose". These ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Can the Fundamental Principles of Non-fiction Writing Be Applied to Fiction?

by Philip Yaffe I have never written fiction and never intended to. My 40-year career has been in journalism and marketing communication. However, a few months ago someone who had read my book on expository (non-fiction) writing and speaking contacte... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of People Named 'W'quotations,pithy prose,epigram,love,politics,religi

by Philip Yaffe Part 3 of an occasional series I am a collector of quotations. I have been ever since I learned how to write, I mean professionally, not in primary school. I am particularly fond of what I like to call "pithy prose". These ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Oscar WildeOscar Wilde

by Philip Yaffe Part 2 of an occasional series I am a collector of quotations. I have been ever since I learned how to write, I mean professionally, not in primary school. I am particularly fond of what I like to call "pithy prose". These ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Pithy Prose: The Wit & Wisdom of Mark Twain

by Philip Yaffe Part 1 of an occasional series I am a collector of quotations. I have been ever since I learned how to write, I mean professionally, not in primary school. I am particularly fond of what I like to call "pithy prose". Thes... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Columbo: What Can a Bumbling, Inarticulate Los Angeles Cop Teach Us about Effective Communication?

by Philip Yaffe Decade after decade, perhaps the most popular type of television program has been the detective story, the traditional "who dun it?", presumably because people enjoy being held in suspense. It is therefore instructive to note that one... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Making Sense of Nonsense: Writing Advice from Lewis Carroll and the Jabberwocky

by Philip Yaffe The absolute, unalterable, incontestable hallmark of a good expository (non-fiction) text is its clarity. Whatever other attributes it may have, if it isn't clear, it isn't good, Likewise, if it isn't good, it isn't clear. Clarity ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Notes on Writing from Writers of Note

by Philip Yaffe When I am introduced at social gatherings, the host or hostess usually says: "Hi, I want you to meet Philip Yaffe. He is a professional writer." I almost always get the same response: "Oh, really. What type of novels do you write?" In o... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Can Learning Languages Help You Better Understand Science and Technology?

by Philip Yaffe "I was 24 years old when I first began thinking and speaking in a foreign language. It was like being released from prison. I saw my cell door swinging open and my mind flying free. That was over 40 years ago, but the picture is as fres... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

What Abraham Lincoln Can Teach Us about Clear, Concise Writing

by Philip Yaffe 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 i... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

How to Use Presentation Slides to Best Effect

by Philip Yaffe How often have you attended a presentation where great attention apparently went into designing the slides - and apparently none into how they were used? Or the speaker played with the slides as if to entertain rather than edify? ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Why Visual Aids Need to Be Less Visual

by Philip Yaffe I was recently invited to a presentation by an accomplished speaker. Needless to say, his speech was well structured, his manner relaxed and confident, his eye contact and body language excellent, etc. He normally spoke without slides... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Is a Worldwide Common Language just over the Horizon?

by Philip Yaffe I am an American living in Belgium since 1974. Ever since arriving here, I have been hearing the mantra "To be a good European, you should learn several languages". Almost from the very beginning, I suggested going the other way: "To ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Yaffe’s Law vs. Murphy’s Law: A New Look at an Old Problem

by Philip Yaffe For most educated persons, Murphy's Law is the fundamental law of the universe, even more important than birth, death and gravity. In its purest form, Murphy's Law says: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." There is an i... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

Laugh Your Way to Persuasive Communication

by Philip Yaffe 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 ... Read >
Author: Philip Yaffe

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