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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Do I Make Myself Clear? summary
Harold Evans
Why Writing Well Matters
19 mins
Brief summary
'Do I Make Myself Clear?' by Harold Evans is a guide to writing clear and effective prose. It covers the basics of grammar, punctuation, and style, and provides practical advice for how to communicate complex ideas in a simple and concise manner.
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Do I Make Myself Clear?
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
There is an abundance of bad writing on the internet, but good, clear writing can be learned.
If you’re a long-time fan of good journalism, there was probably a time when you looked forward to reading the latest issue of the New Republic magazine. When it existed in print form, each issue was a guaranteed good read, filled with sharp and engaging writing.
But in 2012, the publication was purchased by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, who hired new writers and moved it strictly online. Many people worried that the quality would suffer, and these worries were pretty much confirmed when the new venture was described in a cryptic press release as a “cross-functional collaboration” to “align themselves from a metabolism perspective” as a “vertically integrated digital media company.”
Sadly, this kind of mumbo jumbo is found all over the internet.
Take another example. The Financial Times asserts that their online content is “improving the efficacy of measurable learning outcomes.” Say what now?
In the days when print newspapers were the leading source of information, there was a limited amount of space that a writer could use to get his message across to the reader. This meant that the writer had to be clear, and get straight to the point.
Online content, on the other hand, generally fills up space using a lot of words to say very little, especially now that it includes clickbait and fake news.
But it isn’t just websites and Facebook that are to blame; TV news reporting and academia are also home to some of the worst writing around.
However, It doesn’t have to be this way. Contrary to what some might say, writing isn’t some talent with which one is imbued at birth. Like any other skill, writing can be improved if you’re determined and put in the effort.
Even the Bard himself, William Shakespeare, worked hard to improve his writing.
From his unspectacular early work, to later works like King Lear and The Tempest, Shakespeare’s career is representative of how a dedicated writer can improve his craft.
And this is something you can do as well. In the blinks ahead we’ll look at a variety of tips and tools you can put to work today.
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What is Do I Make Myself Clear? about?
Do I Make Myself Clear? (2017) offers a much-needed look at why clear and concise messages are, now more than ever, so important. There is an overwhelming abundance of content these days, and yet finding the truth has never been more difficult. Politicians and marketing executives use deliberately misleading words that obscure the truth and leave us confused and distrustful. Other times, bad writing simply leaves us scratching our heads. If we hope to better understand the facts, we need more people who can deliver clear and meaningful writing.
Do I Make Myself Clear? Review
Do I Make Myself Clear? (2017) by Harold Evans is a book that every aspiring communicator should read. Here's what makes it special:
- It provides a wealth of practical advice on how to improve our communication skills, from writing to public speaking, enabling us to convey our ideas more effectively.
- The book offers compelling and unforgettable examples of both good and bad communication, allowing readers to learn from real-life situations and avoid common pitfalls.
- With its engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, the book manages to make the topic of communication fascinating and, dare we say, enjoyable.
Best quote from Do I Make Myself Clear?
You can enter your text online at readabilityformulas.com or readability-score.com to see how your text scores on variety of different formulas.
—Harold Evans
Who should read Do I Make Myself Clear??
- Aspiring writers
- Students hoping to craft better papers
- Readers tired of bad writing
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Do I Make Myself Clear? FAQs
What is the main message of Do I Make Myself Clear??
Do I Make Myself Clear? emphasizes the importance of clear communication and how it can enhance our personal and professional lives.
How long does it take to read Do I Make Myself Clear??
The reading time for Do I Make Myself Clear? varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Do I Make Myself Clear? a good book? Is it worth reading?
Do I Make Myself Clear? is a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills. It offers practical insights and examples that are worth exploring.
Who is the author of Do I Make Myself Clear??
The author of Do I Make Myself Clear? is Harold Evans.
What to read after Do I Make Myself Clear??
If you're wondering what to read next after Do I Make Myself Clear?, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Writing That Works by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson
- Persuasive Copywriting by Andy Maslen
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- Words Can Change Your Brain by Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman
- Business Writing Tips by Robert Bullard
- Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
- Maps of Meaning by Jordan B. Peterson
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- The Art of the Tale by Steven James