A blog about condensed matter and nanoscale physics. Why should high energy and astro folks have all the fun?
Monday, April 06, 2009
Writing and word limits
I'm working on an article for nonspecialists about a nano topic, and all I can say is, writing concisely for nonexperts is much more difficult than writing concisely for experts.
I am reminded of the old Simpsons episode where Lisa enters an essay contest run by a thinly veiled Reader's Digest (for non-Americans, Reader's Digest is famous for abridging longer written works). Their motto: "Brevity...wit."
Writing/explaining for nonexperts is harder because you can't assume some baseline of knowledge. However, if you do have that baseline, it becomes somewhat easier, since you know how many layers of explanation you need
When we can read this article sir
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But, isn't this the natural state of affairs??
ReplyDeleteVery true. Much of the art is knowing what could be said, but does not have to be.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of the old Simpsons episode where Lisa enters an essay contest run by a thinly veiled Reader's Digest (for non-Americans, Reader's Digest is famous for abridging longer written works). Their motto: "Brevity...wit."
ReplyDeleteWriting/explaining for nonexperts is harder because you can't assume some baseline of knowledge. However, if you do have that baseline, it becomes somewhat easier, since you know how many layers of explanation you need
ReplyDelete