[Nfb-editors] Article feedback

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Chris and everyone,

My comment wasn't directed just towards you.  I agree, for many of us,
the NFB language is reflexive.  Obviously it is used because it does sum
up our goals and philosophy.

I brought the topic up because I have run into this recently.

While working on a PR plan as a class project, we were suppose to work
with a real local non-profit.  Of course, I decided to kill two birds
with one stone and selected my chapter.  While drafting different pieces
of PR literature, brochure, news release, fact sheet, feature story,
etc., I realized how boring my writing was becoming because I was using
the same phrasing over and over.

Of course, some of the quotes and language are necessary to retain as is
since it is a part of the Federation's branding, like the motto, but I
really tried to challenge myself to create material that expressed the
same idea, but in my own words.

One result was that I was able to create a brand specific to my chapter.
The branding is what makes something recognizable to people.  If
implemented, it will be interesting to see, if we remain consistent, how
over time a simple logo or phrase will be identified with our chapter.

Also, I think once we get our brains to embrace a different set of word
choices, we ingest this info differently.  It really helps you
understand what you believe and why you believe it.  You are no longer
speaking and writing what you have been taught by rote, but you now have
created something unique to your own ability to believe, and in turn,
show others a broader view of the world.  I think this applies for most
groups and organizations.

Anyway, I wasn't putting you on the spot or criticizing your writing--
you are quite good and persuasive.  I just meant it as a challenge to
everyone just as I am challenging myself to do the same.

By the way, to your challenge, hmmm...  Learning alternative skills and
accepting a positive mimindset will make blindness nothing more than an
inconvenience.  Well, I gave it the ole' college try!  *smile*

Bridgit

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 09:00:36 -0400
From: "Chris Kuell" <ckuell at comcast.net>
To: "Correspondence Committee Mailing List" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Article feedback
Message-ID: <A57E9BD245C94308B0E2C14C7204A611 at ChrisPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Thanks to those who took the time to read and comment on my article.
Since 
folks seemed to think it was okay, I'll go ahead and put it into our
Fall 
newsletter. And thanks, Bridget, for pointing out those phrases which
have 
become clich? in NFB literature. That was an excellent point, although
those 
phrases are concise and say exactly what I mean and are almost reflexive
at 
this point. I mean, can you think of another way to say 'with proper 
training and a positive attitude...'?Writing challenge for the day!

chris