We’re always looking for those who can find men with “uncompromising wisdom”, as cultural anthropology site Brain Pickings describes the mind of David Ogilvy.
On September 7th, 1982, Ogilvy, one of the original “Mad Men” and a damn good writer, sent the following internal memo to all agency employees. It was simply titled “How to Write.”
The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well.
Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.
Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:
1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.
2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification,attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.
6. Check your quotations.
7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning — and then edit it.
8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.
9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.
David
Read more from Brain Pickings. Image and more quotes from David on ad agency Ogilvy’s current website.
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David is a good writer, he is famous writer in the world, every body knows that person, His writing have a life truly.
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Great article with some good reminders.
In this world of immediate communications, #7 is the only hint that is a bit out of date – however, if we all took a few minutes to re-read an email – everyone would benefit.
Thanks
Oglivy is required reading for any that touches advertising.
In Oglivy on Advertising he displays a snapshot of a draft page from an old Dickens novel.
Things were scratched out all of the place, the page was complete chaos.
The caption: Good writing is slavery.