Author Archives: Robert Basil

Really good, free online technical communications text

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Robert Basil

A couple years ago Dave McMurrey’s online technical-writing textbook vanished from the Internet – not sure why. But *it is back*, and I suggest you bookmark it. A wonderful resource.

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When judging others is necessary

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Robert Basil

I teach my students that, by and large, the purpose of social and workplace communications is to “foster and maintain relationships” (and “to not screw up”). Blogger realsocialskills (Twitter handle: @rsocialskills) notes that this rule does *not* carry the day … Continue reading →

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Copyright protections trump oil pipeline

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Robert Basil

Cantech News explains an Alberta land-owner’s ingenious use of copyright law: Alberta artist Peter van Tiesenhausen has provided an interesting legal precedent in his long-running battle with oil companies seeking to run a pipeline through his 800 acre territory. He … Continue reading →

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“The Franklin Effect”

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Robert Basil

Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography, “Enemies who do you one favor will want to do more.” He illustrated the maxim with a story: A political adversary had been lambasting Franklin in public speeches. Franklin knew that this person was very proud … Continue reading →

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Damned, lying lawyers

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Robert Basil

On Twitter recently I noted that, oddly enough, no word rhymes with doggerel. My friend Jonathan Mayhew tweeted back, “pettifogger hell, though it would rime with doggerel only in doggerel.” I had never even heard the word “pettifogger” before, so … Continue reading →

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Copyright protections trump new TV-streaming technology

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Robert Basil

This is good news, from my publisher’s point of view. From The Globe and Mail: Canadian content producers are breathing a sigh of relief after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that online streaming service Aereo Inc. violates U.S. copyright laws, … Continue reading →

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Displaying complex research findings graphically (and simply) …

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Robert Basil

… is a big theme in all of my communications and marketing classes. I am quite enjoying the blog published by Darkhouse Analytics, which explores this theme obsessively. Click on the image below to see how to make the perfect … Continue reading →

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Writing Matters

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Robert Basil

I had the honour of teaching students (as well as mentoring new instructors) in Stanford University’s Writing and Rhetoric program back in the day. Students from every corner of the university – from biology and engineering to sociology and English … Continue reading →

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Sharing Lingo

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Robert Basil

Via Bryan Garner’s amazing Law Prose Blog: “There once was a time when everyday folk spoke one language, and learned men wrote another. It was called the Dark Ages.” Samuel T. Williamson, “How to Write Like a Social Scientist,” in … Continue reading →

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Codeacademy

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Robert Basil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf5-G2hrb8c#t=64 Kwantlen Polytechnic University Marketing student explains why students should learn code in his post “The ‘C’ Word, and Why You Need to Add It to Your Vocabulary.” “Social collaboration through learning is an incredible motivator” to understand and write … Continue reading →

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