David Mamet has a great way to explain the urgency of being specific, "We can infer the general from the specific, but not the other way around."
I have also found it's useful to start with the most important thing you have to convey. When writing a first draft we tend to put it the last paragraph. But the clarity is almost always improved by making the last paragraph the first paragraph. Even if you are stating a seemingly ridiculous proposition, it seems best to get it out, then back it up.
If you don't put the most important part of the message firs... (read more)
I use the term "conceptual hook" explaining that you've got to give people a hook to hang their understanding on. How does it link or anchor to the real world?
David Mamet has a great way to explain the urgency of being specific, "We can infer the general from the specific, but not the other way around."
I have also found it's useful to start with the most important thing you have to convey. When writing a first draft we tend to put it the last paragraph. But the clarity is almost always improved by making the last paragraph the first paragraph. Even if you are stating a seemingly ridiculous proposition, it seems best to get it out, then back it up.
If you don't put the most important part of the message firs... (read more)