At 09:29 AM 5/19/2008, you wrote:


>Too often we lose the meaning for the structure.


For me, this was the key message.

Whether I write how people talk or more formally really depends on the 
target audience for the piece. Years ago I went through a training and 
coaching process to be a better communication partner to people with 
intellectual and developmental disabilities. What it taught me is to take 
stock of the messages being sent by both communicators. The other framework 
I work within is "percon-centered thinking." This is in-line with current 
trends in "coaching." Basically, you put the person, your client or target 
audience, first when considering what works and what does not work.

All these things then shape how a tool is designed, what it looks like, and 
what language is used. Yes, it does end up being more conversational. But 
it is not necessarily important to be grammatically incorrect, either.

In Julie's example, she asked
"Which is clearer:

Your dominant hand is the one you write with.
or
Your dominant hand is the one with which you write."

And I would have skirted the entire issue by writing,
"You write with your dominant hand."

Take care,
Joan

-------
Joan E Guthrie Medlen, R.D., L.D.
Global Clinical Advisor, Health Literacy & Communications
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes
joan at ipns.com
3638 SW Vesta
Portland, OR  97219
503.246.3849 (v)  503.246.3869 (f)
www.DownSyndromeNutrition.com