Once I had a guy working for me who was very smart -- he had his Phd. etc. He knew ancient Greek and Latin. His memos however, were HORRIBLE. Long, long sentences, complex paragraphs that went on for a page. Just looking at his memos no one wanted to read them. AND... he thought it amusing to make up new words using Greek and Latin root words.

I tried and tried to explain to him that communications is ONLY successful if it is read and the reader understands the thoughts, feelings, or ideas you are trying to convey. If the reader doesn't read it or understand...it doesn't matter how clever you are....you failed!

Good writing is a joy....bad writing...well it's agony!