Thursday, March 29, 2012

WRITING


by Maria Popova

 
“Never write more than two pages on any subject.”

How is your new year’s resolution to read more and write better holding up? After tracing the fascinating story of the most influential writing style guide of all time and absorbing advice on writing from some of modern history’s most legendary writers, here comes some priceless and pricelessly uncompromising wisdom from a very different kind of cultural legend: iconic businessman and original “Mad Man” David Ogilvy. On September 7th, 1982, Ogilvy sent the following internal memo to all agency employees, titled “How to Write”:

The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well.

Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.

Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:

1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.

2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.

3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.

4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious butthead.

5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.

6. Check your quotations.

7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning — and then edit it.

8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.

9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.

10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

INVISIBLE CHILDREN: KONY 2012!

DIRECTIONS: Please watch the video and read the article posted.
I want you to think about how this Kony 2012 campaign relates to the Civil Rights Movement. Consider the following questions for conversation during Socratic Seminar:
  • What is the connection between the Civil Rights Movement and the Kony 2012 campaign?
  • Who were the primary supporters of the Civil Rights Movement?
  • Who are the primary supporters of the Kony 2012 campaign?
  • Does the government actively support the
  • What is a "civil right"?
  • What is a "human right"?
  • What is the difference between a "civil right" and a "human right"?
  • What injustice exists that needs to be corrected?
  • What steps are being taken to correct the situation?
  • Is it important to be actively involved in your community? Why?
  • Is it important to be actively involved in your state/country? Why?
  • Is it our responsibility to fix problems in other countries? Why?
  • Is change important? Why?
  • How does change occur?
  • Who is responsible for change?

"I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand." -Confucius
 
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.


JOIN THE @INVISIBLE CHILDREN! http://bit.ly/xqJJ9T
SIGN THE PLEDGE TO HELP US BRING @JOSEPH_KONY TO JUSTICE IN 2012!  bit.ly/zPK8P5 #STOPKONY