I think that learning to be a better communicator, isn't about learning how to be more concise as I've been taught. I grew up learning things like: "Got milk?" These ads expected you to infer that milk amounted to strong bones and therefore athletic talent by using vague imagery of athletes wearing the mark of a milk-stache proudly. Instead of, "here are the health benefits of milk." Either way, I'm lactose intolerant. I'm also sports intolerant and I'm intolerant of being concise. I've always been too wordy. It boils down to my fear of being misunderstood, but it comes out as long, drawn-out sentences, and reiterating points.

All throughout my training in advertising and marketing, both in classes and the real world after graduation, I've been haunted by learning to be more concise. Do I know how to do it? Yes, and it leaves me with the same feeling as I have after eating a piece of cheese.

“Don't write so that you can be understood, write so that you can't be misunderstood.” - William Howard Taft, 27th president of the United States

#Writing #WritingThroughIt #sillyrant #rant #wordy #Advertising #marketing

Side notes: I wrote this mostly comically. I think concise has it's place and uses, but some information does get lost in translation this way. Not having all of the information can lead to misunderstandings that sometimes have very large consequences.