Professor Ken Byerley told us to “boil the fat out of the copy.” I pass his advice on, and include “Write You, before I, except after ‘Congratulations’ or ‘Thank You’ for opening email sentence.”
My children now in their sixties still cringe. They have heard before. But occasionally a newcomer asks old editing teacher to critique.
Recent email:
Mr. Elam, you are worth your weight in gold! Thank you for your help with this. I took your advice and did go back and try to sound less “I”, but it’s hard since the letter is in first person… Anyway, sent it to the printers.
Weighed in when our family doctor examined me at 167 pounds, clothes on.
Gold priced on the day I wrote this ‘assay’ was listed at $1,796.50. Multiply by weight 167 equals $300,015.50. Thanks.
