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Technical communicators sing a song all day long, Doo dah! Doo dah! We create words, correct? I know that our Newsletter guru, Doug, has been trying to get contributions to his "Technical Writer Tune." Maybe this humorous e-mail, sent to me from a friend, will rev up your creative juices to write a verse or two for Doug's ditty.
In his book "How to Win at Wordsmanship," Philip Broughton offers this interesting writing exercise:
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
integrated total systematized parallel functional responsive optional synchronized compatible balanced |
management organizational monitored reciprocal digital logistical transitional incremental third-generation policy |
options flexibility capability mobility programming concept time-phase projection hardware contingency |
The procedure is simple. Think of any three-digit number, then select the corresponding buzzword from each column. For instance, number 257 produces "systematized logistical projection," a phrase that can be dropped into virtually any report with that ring of decisive, knowledgeable authority. "No one will have the remotest idea of what you're talking about," says Broughton, "but the important thing is that they're not about to admit it."
Create your own senseless phrases, put them in a sentence, and let's see if we can't collectively write a verse for the "Technical Writer Tune." Doug never said the verse had to make sense, did he?