Ned I agree with you but, this new wave has also gone the other way.  Ther
are a couple of CRM reports that have been circulated in draft that are
written on a third/forth grade level.  I agree that we should write a more
readable report, but don't make the CRM field look foolish in the process
-----Original Message-----
From: Ned Heite <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, May 02, 1999 7:56 AM
Subject: bipedants


>In defense of Gibb (who can defend himself quite well), here are random
>pomposities from a recent report by a major CRM firm. Because I don't want
>to get personal, my friend who signed the report will remain anonymous.
>
>These are some of the worst:
>
>        "Spatial and techno-typological analyses
>        conducted by excavators identified activity
>        clusters largely in plow zone contexts."
>
>        "Oak was the predominant woody material
>        represented in charcoal throughout
>        the site, ..."
>
>        "Evidence of the heat treatment of certain
>        cryptocrystalline artifacts as a variation
>        in knapping technology was implied by analysis
>        of the distribution of burned artifacts among
>        the two assemblages."
>
>This zinger apparently was intended to explain an archaeological concept
>for the non-specialist reader:
>
>        "Botanical recovery is of use to archaeologists
>        in inferring potential environments and
>        subsistence practices."
>
>These specimens all came from a two-volume published report with glossy
>color pictures, produced by a major firm for a very influential client. It
>has been heralded as one of the more reader-friendly products in a new wave
>of popular, readable, reports.
>
>This is popular and readable writing?
>
>Maybe some client, federal agency or SHPO, will someday reject a report,
>just because it is impossible to read and comprehend.
>
>Don't hold your breath.
>
>On the other hand, some recent contract reports are eminently readable. I
>was able to stay awake through most of Berger's report on the Department of
>Justice metropolitan detention facility in Philadelphia. Sentences are
>active and the terminology is elegantly spare. Illustrations and their
>captions actually convey information, which is something of a radical
>departure from the norm. My only quibble is with the separate numbering of
>pages by chapter, but overall it is a much more suitable model to follow.
>
>
>
>      _____
> ____(_____)__
>  |Baby the\
>  |1969 Land\__===_      Baby has a new set of sand ladders!
>  |  ___Rover   ___|o    Bring on the mud!
>  |_/ . \______/ . ||
>  ___\_/________\_/____________________________________________
>  Ned Heite, Camden, DE  http://home.dmv.com/~eheite/index.html
>