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Yuhui@yuhui

Presented by Yuhui at BarCamp Singapore 7 on 10 September 2011

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About MeYuhui@yuhui on most social networks

Likes to writeConcerned about social issues


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Practice Makes Perfect?Writing for more than 2 yearsMore than 5 published letters

◦Including one at Today2 rejected letters


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Before Writing…Think about ST's concernsTimeliness of issueGovernment controlCosts – ink, paper

Your letter is not the only one they receive!


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When Writing…KISS – Keep it simple, stupid!At most 2 sentences per

paragraphMake every word countBritish English


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Keep It Simple, Stupid!"Adding a third line, the Circle

Line, could potentially introduce confusion to visitors."

"Adding a third line, the Circle Line, could potentially introduce confusion to confuse visitors."


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Keep It Simple, Stupid!"If delinquent fathers are unwilling to

sponsor their spouses' passes, the immediate next-of-kin should be allowed to sponsor the mothers on behalf of the children."

"If delinquent fathers are unwilling to sponsor their spouses' passes, the immediate next-of-kin should be allowed to sponsor the mothers on behalf of the children do so."


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2 Sentences per Paragraph (1)"Another example of how government

intervention has led to improved market fairness is the Media Development Authority's (MDA) new stance on set-top boxes. MDA will soon require programming from providers to be available on any set-top box. This is regardless of whether the customer has subscribed to SingTel or Starhub. Customers thus benefit from more programming options and lower costs. They are also freed from being subject to their content provider's whims and fancies."


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2 Sentences per Paragraph (2)"Another example of how government

intervention has led to improved market fairness is the Media Development Authority's (MDA) new stance on set-top boxes.

(new paragraph) MDA will soon require programming from providers to be available on any set-top box. This is regardless of whether the customer has subscribed to SingTel or Starhub.

(new paragraph) Customers thus benefit from more programming options and lower costs. They are also freed from being subject to their content provider's whims and fancies."


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Make Every Word CountMy method:Write everything outChange "fluffy" phrases to

straightforwardRemove adjectives / adverbsKeep sentences that make your

point

This is not a GCE "O" Level essay!


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Examples of What to RemoveFluffy phrases"strangers in a strange land""take a leaf from""I realise that…"

Adjectives / Adverbs"<something> actually <does

something>""even more important"


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When writing…KISS – Keep it simple, stupid!At most 2 sentences per

paragraphMake every word countBritish English

Censor yourself


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Don't Disparage Government"Such an attitude hinders true

competition in the e-payment market, even though it reeks of government heavy-handedness."

"Such an attitude hinders true competition in the e-payment market, even though it reeks of government heavy-handedness."


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Don't Disparage Government"The ministry has failed to grasp

the nature of the public outcry against its policy."

"The ministry has failed to grasp not grasped the nature of the public outcry criticism against this move its policy."


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Don't Disparage Singapore"We should not forget that these children are

Singapore citizens. As such, they deserve all of the rights and privileges accorded to them. This includes providing state protection and welfare from their abusive fathers."

"We should not forget that these children are Singapore citizens. As such, they deserve all of the rights and privileges accorded to them. This includes providing state protection and welfare from their abusive fathers. These children should be protected like any Singaporean."


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Don't Disparage Singapore"How many more of these children need

to be street vagrants in foreign lands and suffering from psychological problems before our government brings them back into the safety of their homeland?"

"How many more of these children need to be street vagrants in foreign lands and suffering from psychological problems before our government brings them back into the safety of their homeland?"


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Appear ConservativeRemember editors' concerns

If Chee Soon Juan will say it, don't write it

What will Low Thia Khiang or Sylvia Lim say?


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No Sarcasm"As a modern, world-class subway

system, the MRT provides a fast and efficient mode of transport for Singaporeans and visitors."

"As a modern, world-class subway system, the MRT provides a fast and efficient mode of transport for Singaporeans and visitors."


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The Bottom-line

Editors have the final say!


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The Other Bottom-line

You only get one shot!

After the authorities respond, there's usually no follow-up.


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What about Today?Seems more liberal

Smart enough to detect sarcasm

Source: https://coollylogical.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/please-please-please-let-my-letter-be-published/

NOW GO FORTH AND WRITE!

Balasingam-Chow Yu Hui@yuhui

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