David Lipscomb

Dad, husband, writing prof, plain language advocate, maker with backyard bamboo, doodler with an ipad, and somebody who loves his dog.

[Mark Mazzetti @MarkMazzettiNYT]

NEW: "The long arc of harassment, assault and murder of Palestinians by Jewish settlers is twinned with a shadow history, one of silence, avoidance and abetment by Israeli officials." An investigation with @ronenbergman and @natan_oden https://t.co/9U82bQH3xx

[David Zipper @DavidZipper]

In Paris, just 4.3% -- 4.3%!! -- of the trips within the colored areas now occur in private cars.

Source: https://t.co/VUC9GTdtzM

[David Lipscomb @davidlipscomb]

@lauren_hoggs Much love, Lauren.

[Brian Hochman @brian_hochman]

Some news: the indefatigable @mguariglia and I are working on a new edition of the Church Committee Report for modern readers, with an afterword by Beverly Gage. Coming your way in October 2025!

[Joseph Kimble @ProfJoeKimble]

“What is the great hidden cost of doing business and carrying on the government? Poor communication. And the number are staggering.”
From an announcement for the 2nd edition of Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please.

@TheEconomist @Forbes @business

https://t.co/tStO4nGQDz

[James O'Brien @mrjamesob]

This is very good. The best articulation I’ve heard.

[The New Yorker @NewYorker]

Salman Rushdie reflects on the price of freedom. https://t.co/WTGwddbB9g

[Johan Rockström @jrockstrom]

We tend to drown in the complexity & our inability to bend the global curve of fossil-fuel emissions. Here is the obvious 1st step to succeed - stop subsidizing oil, gas & coal. 7 trillion USD. Almost 10% of the global economy… Let, at least, clean energy compete on fair terms.

[Nathan Baugh @nathanbaugh27]

Students at NYU asked the creators of South Park the million-dollar question:

“What makes a good story?”

They gave one of the best explanations of story I’ve heard:

“If we can take the beats of your outline, and the words ‘and then’ belong between those beats… you got something pretty boring.

What should happen between every beat you’ve written down is the words ‘therefore’ or ‘but.’”

They go on to say, “That gives you the causation between each beat, and that makes a story.”

Point 1:

There’s an idea in storytelling called ‘Promise, Progress, Payoff.’

Essentially, a story is a neverending cycle of promises that are paid off over the span of the story.

It’s a cycle of expectation and resolution. Cause and effect. Conflict and progress.

Point 2:

A story isn’t a bunch of random events thrown together.

A story is a series of but / because / therefore moments.

A famous example:

• Harry discovers he's a wizard. Because of this, he goes to learn magic at Hogwarts.
• But then he learns Voldemort wants to kill him and rule the world.
• Therefore, he must find a way to defeat him.

Point 3:

‘And’ implies a simple continuation.

‘But / Therefore’ give prior events meaning through causation.

‘But’ implies conflict. ‘Therefore’ implies progress.

I’m reminded of a Hemingway quote:

“Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.”

Great writing is intentional. It doesn’t wander. It builds upon itself.

***

I hope you enjoyed that! If so, follow @nathanbaugh27 for more ideas and writing like this.

[The Atlantic @TheAtlantic]

"To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox."

George Orwell in our March 1947 issue: https://t.co/UEmjUqVxIh

[David Lipscomb @davidlipscomb]

@arothmanhistory @kenanmalik Sorry I missed this yesterday, but have begun Malik’s book. The historical sweep alone is amazing.

[PlainLanguage.gov @govplainlang]

OMB's new policy guidance, M-23-22 “Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience,” covers the need to create content for the public in #PlainLanguage in Section III A.
View the full online version of the memo https://t.co/BCvmMquW5H

[David Lipscomb @davidlipscomb]

@ProfJoeKimble So excited, Joe!

[Washington Post Opinions @PostOpinions]

There’s a way for Biden to talk about the economy. This isn’t it, @MattBai writes. https://t.co/W9Kwae1Fpj

[NYTPitchbot @DougJBalloon]

Whether it’s Ron DeSantis refusing to meet with Joe Biden, or Joe Biden being unable to meet with Ron DeSantis because of Ron DeSantis‘s refusal to meet with him, there’s plenty of partisanship on both sides

[David Lipscomb @davidlipscomb]

New Requirement for Clarity in Rule-Making ⁦@fedweek⁩ https://t.co/KZc3850csm

[Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle]

Tragic. A rising American cycling talent was killed in a sadly American way: by a driver. https://t.co/G90s2DZWLK

[The Atlantic @TheAtlantic]

"To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox."

George Orwell, March 1947: https://t.co/UEmjUqVxIh

[Gael Spivak, MA @Piglita]

The first Plain Language Standard is versatile and easy to use. It works in most languages and cultures, and in all sectors. Learn more about the new standard and how to purchase it here: https://t.co/i6gHMGk8BP
#PlainLanguage