THE prime reason we write is to communicate with others. This applies whether it be with one other person or with the masses devouring the latest scandal or disaster. Nowhere is this more true than in the print media. Newspapers need to be quickly and clearly understood by the widest possible audience. No going back to check the meaning, no hesitating over awkward phrasing. Clarity is everything. The onus on the writer is to ensure readers can understand what is written with ease and without question. Immediate comprehension is the goal. Unfortunately, such seemingly simple aims are not always achieved. Continue reading

Seems that stream of consciousness is still in use: THE following apologies for sentences are all complete and direct quotes from one who should know better. What happened to leading by example? “If there is an unfairness there is nothing that I will do in order to address that unfairness.” “[Ofqual, the exams watchdog] came to us about the concerns that they had as a result of totally unexpected results of how this was had impacted on some young people as well as external experts.” “We, working with Ofqual, and this is what happened both in England as well as… Continue reading