Writelife

Here’s a story that points out a government gaff that, when you think about it, is all about bad writing:

Sask. gov’t admits letters to pensioners for proof of life could be nicer

Could have been nicer? How about, “… should have been nicer.” And maybe someone with some people skills should have proofed it. Because, frankly, writing a “nicer” letter ain’t that hard.

The government needed to be sure the pension money they were sending out was going to the correct people so they were requesting information as a “proof of life.” Yes, it’s awkward asking someone to prove they are alive. So why not literally say that? Personally, I would have begun the letter with something like, “Please excuse this intrusion, and please excuse the subject of this letter, but we have an awkward request. In order to ensure the right people are receiving their pensions …” And so on.

The point is, when you have a situation like this, why not simply say so? Why not acknowledge the awkwardness and explain the need for it? People are forgiving and, in a situation such as this, they may even find humour in it.

As it is, what they sent out sounded “like a decree” and people wound up angry.

It’s not enough to write something. You have to write it well. And you have to think about who your audience is and understand how they’ll construe something.

Here’s a telling line from the story:

“Hallett acknowledges that the letter sounded like a decree and probably should have been “soft-pedalled” a little more.”

‘Soft-pedalled’ is key here. This is not a conversation between the government and the people of the province. This is a sales pitch.

I’ve rambled and ranted. Sorry, but I find gaffs like this hugely irritating because they should be so easy to avoid.

There’s more to good writing than spelling and grammar.

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