Dear Janet, I still remember the expressions of dread that appeared around the classroom when you announced our first seven-minute writing sprint. But just as you promised, we soon began to relish these exercises, surprising…
“Dear Jenny: The way to do a piece of writing is three or four times over, never once. For me, the hardest part comes first, getting something — anything — out in front of me….
Here is my response to a question from “Angie” about communication style in the workplace:
“How can I get my team to see me as a critical team member? I’m the youngest person in the office by several years and find it hard to get them to treat me as their equal.”
My thoughts are that no matter what your age, “being taken seriously” is a mutually negotiated subtlety of communication, a kind of contract between participants. Angie’s commitment would be to be an engaged and authentic listener; prepared and on time for meetings; respectful; making appropriate eye contact; and so on.
Poetry. And medicine. “The Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine is an annual international award for an unpublished poem on a medical subject.” Please read about this wonderful joining of poetry, medicine, and health…
Adam Jorge is a first-year graduate student at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. With undergraduate degrees in philosophy and political science, he has chosen to follow his heart and pursue work in…
“. . . We approach style in its broader meaning: style in the sense of what is distinguished and distinguishing. Here we leave solid ground. Who can confidently say what ignites a certain combination of words, causing them to explode in the mind? Who knows why certain notes in music are capable of stirring the listener deeply, though the same notes slightly rearranged are impotent? These are high mysteries . . .”
“. . . There is no satisfactory explanation of style, no infallible guide to good writing, no assurance that a person who thinks clearly will be able to write clearly, no key that unlocks the door, no inflexible rule by which writers may shape their course. Writers will often find themselves steering by stars that are disturbingly in motion.”
INTERVIEWER What are your views about the writer’s commitment to politics, international affairs? You have written so much (The Wild Flag, etc.) about federal and international issues. E. B. WHITE “A writer should concern himself…
Announcing a new blog! BREN WRITERS — Environmentally-inspired snippets Inaugurated by the community of writers in the 2013 Writing Skills for Environmental Professionals – Advanced Class at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB.
The name of my blog is “The art and craft of writing and speaking.” I’ve focused my discussions mostly on the academic world. For writing, that includes looking at many of the things we need…
“John F. Martin [professor of cardiovascular medicine at University College London and adjunct professor at the Yale School of Medicine] is, in no particular order, a cardiologist, transatlantic academic, specialist in gene therapies for treating…
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