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Subject:Subject Lines and BlahBlahBlah From:Debbie Stewart <Debbie_Stewart -at- SIECOR -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 8 Jul 1998 13:31:47 -0400
Per Arlen.P.Walker
<<<Got a problem with the "chaff?" Do what I do. Read the subject lines and
delete. I'll check my inbox and delete 20-30 messages at a crack. Will you
possibly miss something you might want to read this way? Perhaps. But look
at it this way: This is a list of writers, all of whom presumably know how
to use words to get points across effectively and efficiently. If they
can't manage to tip you to the content of their message via the subject
line, what are the odds they'll have anything worthwhile to say about
writing?>>>
This, too, is why I think we should be more precise in the use of the
subject line. I will
open a message, to see what I might learn, but if the message is long and
wordy I
will *usually* close and delete it. I will read messages that are *50
words or less*
We could do the list a favor by writing better subject lines and minimalist
messages!
Would you rather have a cupful of excitingly delicious food or a
gut-bloating plateful
of something tasting like *blah*?
Debbie Stewart
Lone Tech Writer
Siecor Operations, LLC
Hickory NC
828-327-5143
debbie -dot- stewart -at- siecor -dot- com