"THE VALUE OF USING QUOTES & HUMOUR" + "TIPSHEET" + "FURTHER SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE".
T.C.A. #9.
“THE VALUE OF USING QUOTES”
When in 2011, I inherited a rather unusual library, I was delighted to discover it included a goodly selection of books of quotes. Great for browsing, chuckles, insights and inspirations. Have you noticed how much quotes are used on Substack ? Used for good reasons, such as :-
Text enrichments that support and qualify one's writings. Presenting overlapping, often subtle, confirmation of arguments. Readability improvements to reduce chances of boredom, especially when used mid-article. ** Offering linkage betwixt cited sources and the text. Suggestions of "below the surface" concepts.
** = “The writer is advised to look through multiple sources, analyse the info, choose & incorporate the appropriate effective quote(s) & add the source(s)” Pestle Team.
Enhances credibility, suggests one Authorship is firmly base in extensive research. Enablement of emotional persuasions. Arousement of readers curiosity - ie: "where is this going ?" Critical statements of opposing views (or Myths)....
FINAL THOUGHTS 1). There are other uses for Quotation Marks a.k.a. Parentheses, such as indicating sarcasm, or as in samples are given above. 2). The employment of Single and Double quotation marks, are used the opposite way round in English and Amerenglish.
N.B. Todays rendering is primarily aimed at understanding VALUE. Future, more in depth articles will cover A). How to utilise quotes for greater effect. B). Quote guidelines for purely academic writing.
TIPSHEET:
Collect a hefty file of quotes. Printing them off will spare you from the frightening health risks of your screen’s Blue light effects. Peruse when needed, by sinking into an armchair with file and marker.
“THE VALUE OF USING HUMOUR”:
As a young teenager, launching my first mail-order business, I became interested in the mindset that drove successful advertising - discovering this concept ….. People remember Happy-Amusing events longer than dismal - horrific. Whether or not this is entirely true is debatable. However the concept itself is of use to the adman, inasmuch Chuckle Anecdotes give a Buzz to to Marketing far better than Grey-Sad.
TWO PAST EXAMPLES :
1). In my late 20’s, travelling the London Underground’s curved kaleidoscopic Tiled Testaments, One advertising style always stood out - for Dalton’s Weekly, a Magazine devoted to classified small ads. Yet these ads for Dalton’s itself were huge and comedic. The one that is with me still was of a series that promoted the all time greatest Exhibition of Ancient Egypt.
Imagine then, a middle aged couple standing incongruously knee deep in water, just within the portal of a pyramid, They hold a copy of Dalton’s that headlines “The Tomb of Tutenkhamuhn”… A rather perplexed real-estate man peers in, the couple cry out “But we thought it said A room in Tooting Common !!” The public’s eyes are led to the punchline for every one of Dalton’s wonderful absurdities “Dalton’s Weekly, and No Mistake !” This great piece was made even more poignant by the then growing campaign against Realtors deliberately misleading portrayals of offered damp-infested accommodations….. Such brilliant Timing.
2). About 15 years ago Guinness also ran a series of comedic mistake, style promotions….. Two young Frenchmen in an old Irish village, thirstily, hurriedly approach a long and ancient Hostelry. Inside they marvel briefly at the ancient furnishing as they rush to the counter to experience their first draught of the potent black stuff. After several attempts to pronounce it’s name, the only other occupant suddenly understands, takes them to the door, where it becomes obvious that they have entered an antique shop instead of the adjacent barroom. The next shot is them happily being served by a laughing, pretty barmaid. All is well ! (Have a Pint ! - or two !!)
But How to Incorporate Humour into your Writings and Self-Marketing ? By being the Creative Person that you are…..
Like this, perhaps…. An exchange via Notes, Chats & Restacks between myself and
a couple of days ago, in response to an article on my other stack https://309.substack.com/p/vision-goals-focus-nicheD. "Maurice is a gift, take heed, be grateful" Me. "Aaaah Douglas, many thanks for this kindly worded restack, here's a pic of my studio staff this happy day"
D. "This looks fascinating. What's it's purpose ?" Me. "The purpose Douglas is the same a s throwing torn up pieces of newspaper out of train windows to keep the wild elephants away. This has been proven to work extremely well in Belgium, where I first encountered the practice. A fuller explanation will be given on Friday". D. "O.K., You've got me hooked !"
FULLER EXPLANATION THEN….
Perplexed, did I observe the paper chucker, until the ticket inspector entered, crying “Mijnheer, wat doe je nu ?” Mijnheer explained his theory on railway defense “M, Miijnheer ! there are no wild elephants in Belgium”. To which came the response “OK; but let’s ensure it stays that way !!”
RESULT…. the bits of the exchange that were conveyed via notes and chats will be read by the few people that are party to these briefs, However the bits that were conveyed via restacks (& Re-restacks) have the potential to reach to reach Well Over a Thousand Followers…..
TIPSHEET:
Imagine then, several collaborators Structually Re-restacking, with further comments, giving a Potential Reach that can multiply dramatically. Perhaps you would like to learn more about this approach…… For followers then, Substack will only send Notes to approx 25% of you at a time. To receive these posts you need to subscribe for Free, Big difference !….. Subscribing for Free is also the gateway to T.C.A. Scholarships, see below.
If you are curious on the Humour aspect then your best bet is to read
who will make you laugh while you learn…T.C.A. SCHOLARSHIPS; FURTHER UPDATE:
T.C.A. Scholarships are designed to give financial aid to Newbie Substack writers with between 25 and 100 subscribers to access some of the best Substack Educators at a significant discount. Please show your interest in joining the Pilot Scheme, by Subscribing for free. Our first Educator will be named Mid December and Successful applicants will be notified shortly thereafter. Planet conscious writers may be given priority. I am delighted to announce that applications are coming in and a further donation has been promised to support the scheme. Looking forward to meeting you, Maurice.
NeXt on This Creative Adventure, Most Fridays (with a break in December).
T.C.A. #10, 29 November. “Hallo Goldie. An Introduction to Douglas McCleneghan” + “Now Here’s a Thought” (General Mentoring).
T.C.A. #11, Dec 13th. “Hallo Goldie. An Interview with Julie Gabrielli” + “T.C.A. Announcement”.
NeXt on Some Wednesdays.
Ancient Legend #14, 27th Nov. “Dragonships”.
Random #3, 4h Dec. “The Stone”.
Now I understand! Now you've got me trying to figure out what it is that keeps the elephants out of our street.
You're offering a great service to Substack newbies, Maurice.