From the Archives: reflections on writing
The world has changed somewhat since 2008 but the basics of effective communication endure. Here’s a selection of writing from our archives on the art and logic of explaining.
How to explain first time
‘If you’re explaining you’re losing.’ That phrase recently came out to bite President Obama, after he gave a 17-minute answer to a short question about healthcare and taxes.
Why you should start at the end, and why we don’t
Remember science at school? That’s where I learned to dice rats, mix volatile substances, handle electric shocks and melt biros with a Bunsen burner. It’s also where most of us were conditioned to save the main point until last.