stewartcolbert08
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Fri Jul-31-09 09:34 AM
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So there is this controversial issue going on in our city about a friend of mine who got fired from his county job because he is involved in the attempted unionization of the agency he worked for yada yada ( i posted an article about this a few weeks ago) anyway I wrote a letter to our local newspaper expressing my opinion and contempt for the head of the agency who fired him and they have yet to publish it in the opinions section. So I wrote a letter to the editor asking what was up and he writes me back informing me that it is "too long" to publish. The website states that the letters have to be 500 words or less, mine is 499 so...........:shrug: anyone???+
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NYC_SKP
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Fri Jul-31-09 09:37 AM
Response to Original message |
1. If not well written, 499 words can be "too long". |
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It could be that your LTTE could be compressed, maybe there are repetitive or redundant parts, maybe it's too much writing for what you want to say.
Saying a great deal with a minimum of words is challenging, but it's the best way to make a point and it might be what they are looking for.
Or they're idiots.
:shrug:
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stewartcolbert08
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Fri Jul-31-09 09:39 AM
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blondeatlast
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Fri Jul-31-09 09:44 AM
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3. Agree. If you know someone who teaches English or writes well, ask them for some |
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help with editing. For the untrained, editing is very difficult. I write for lawyers and I can take a 50 page case brief down to 10 pages and make the meaning even clearer.
Good luck.
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stewartcolbert08
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Fri Jul-31-09 09:50 AM
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U mind if I send it to you! It's under 500 words and everything ! LOL
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blondeatlast
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Fri Jul-31-09 09:56 AM
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5. Just so you know, I get paid for that sort of thing. I recommend a great book |
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you can probably obtain at a library. It doesn't even cost much to buy. The book is "Painless Grammar" by Rebecca Elliot. Pay attention to the parts about excess verbiuage and editing for clarity. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764134361/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=304485901&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0812097815&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1TR29Q0ME1JH8J2Y8FME
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stewartcolbert08
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Fri Jul-31-09 10:12 AM
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8. LOL is that a "no" then? |
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Thanks for the recommendation though.
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Cresent City Kid
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Fri Jul-31-09 10:07 AM
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6. Is it 499 plus "sincerly" and your name making it 502? |
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Just kidding, but seriously you could trim it and still get the point across. They need to look at their policy for letters if one at the maximum is "too long". If they want shorter, make the limit smaller. It reminds me of Office Space when Jennifer Anniston's boss wanted her to wear more buttons than the minimum of 15. "If you want me to wear 37, make the minimum 37!"
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stewartcolbert08
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Fri Jul-31-09 10:11 AM
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Sat Apr 20th 2024, 12:32 AM
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