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100+ buzzwords and jargon bugging us in 2021

100+ buzzwords and jargon bugging us in 2021

by Sue Horner | Sep 2, 2021 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Roughly this time last year, I was lamenting the overuse of words like cadence that have turned them into jargon or buzzwords. It’s still everywhere, as in this recent example: “Prime Your Revenue Engine with a Prospecting Cadence.” It’s also been a big year for...
Before & after: 5K run release (Wordnerdery)

Before & after: 5K run release (Wordnerdery)

by Sue Horner | May 20, 2021 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Several times, I’ve taken part in a fundraising 5K event called Push for Your Tush. As usual with such events, I had to sign a release – actually a “RELEASE, WAIVER and INDEMNITY AGREEMENT,” in all caps every time it is mentioned – for the organizer, Colorectal...
Warm up your words to match the brave new Zoom world

Warm up your words to match the brave new Zoom world

by Sue Horner | Feb 19, 2021 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Endless Zoom calls and Microsoft Teams meetings have changed how we look and relate to our co-workers and bosses. Home offices give a glimpse of how we live. Pets and small children are likely to loudly demand attention as our calls get underway, or we might forget...
In a confusing situation, aim to be clear

In a confusing situation, aim to be clear

by Sue Horner | Nov 4, 2020 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

I was among the many Canadians glued to the TV, watching the election results with America. I made it to midnight, and went to bed when it was clear there would be no speedy result. One word kept popping out at me during discussions on CBC’s The National: Several...
Before & after: Promote your program with plain language

Before & after: Promote your program with plain language

by Sue Horner | Oct 14, 2020 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Plain language can save lives or make them harder, as the Center for Plain Language noted on Twitter this week. The occasion: International Plain Language Day (Oct. 13). We were disappointed with many of the results of the Federal Plain Language Report Card this year....
Pay up to experience ‘exciting changes’

Pay up to experience ‘exciting changes’

by Sue Horner | Feb 19, 2020 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

“Exciting changes at Paper.li!” said the email subject line. (Paper.li helps you “create a web presence” with an online newspaper that contains your “curated” content.) The email continued, “We’re thrilled to have you as part of our community, and want you to be the...
Choose your words wisely to be understood

Choose your words wisely to be understood

by Sue Horner | Oct 24, 2019 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

I’m on Plain Language duty. While my client overhauls structure and cuts duplication on the website, I’m trying to make the content more readable. The existing words are often off the readable charts – post-graduate, say, or grade 13 – whereas my client hopes for...
Here’s how to keep emails short and sweet

Here’s how to keep emails short and sweet

by Sue Horner | Aug 1, 2019 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Smart communicators use multiple channels to reach employees, and email remains a constant for most workplaces. But dealing with the “excessive volume” of communications is a challenge for companies around the world, according to State of the Sector 2019 –...
Before & after: Wordy article gets a rewrite

Before & after: Wordy article gets a rewrite

by Sue Horner | Jun 28, 2019 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

One way to help people understood something is get to the point. Don’t bury your information in too much detail, ramble, or hide the action with passive language. While falling down the rabbit hole of internet links one day, I happened upon an article from 2015 that...
Hidden facts? Might as well be weasel words

Hidden facts? Might as well be weasel words

by Sue Horner | May 16, 2019 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Print can be expensive, so I understand that Costco will no longer send their printed Costco Connection magazine to lower-tier members like me. After all, their stated mission is “to continually provide our members with quality goods and services at the lowest...
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