Your comment about reading your work aloud for the first time reminded me of one of the first pieces of wisdom imparted to me when I was a freshly minted lawyer in San Francisco in 1982. On my second day at the firm, one of the firm's most eminent partners asked me to proofread a brief he was about to file, and give him feedback. I found a few typos, but my main concern was that I had to read a few of the arguments more than once before I completely understood them. I was a bit apprehensive about sharing these thoughts, but I did. That's when the partner gave me the advice that I have carried with me all my life and that has served me well: (1) Whenever possible, read your own work aloud; you'll note when you stumble or something sounds "off." (2) When time permits, have someone unfamiliar with the subject read what you've written. If they don't understand it on first reading, go back and rework it. I'm not suggesting Glenn needs this advice, but I share it here because I found it so useful. My kids have heard this story since they were little, and they say it serves them well and sometimes sets them apart in today's workplace.
Your comment about reading your work aloud for the first time reminded me of one of the first pieces of wisdom imparted to me when I was a freshly minted lawyer in San Francisco in 1982. On my second day at the firm, one of the firm's most eminent partners asked me to proofread a brief he was about to file, and give him feedback. I found a few typos, but my main concern was that I had to read a few of the arguments more than once before I completely understood them. I was a bit apprehensive about sharing these thoughts, but I did. That's when the partner gave me the advice that I have carried with me all my life and that has served me well: (1) Whenever possible, read your own work aloud; you'll note when you stumble or something sounds "off." (2) When time permits, have someone unfamiliar with the subject read what you've written. If they don't understand it on first reading, go back and rework it. I'm not suggesting Glenn needs this advice, but I share it here because I found it so useful. My kids have heard this story since they were little, and they say it serves them well and sometimes sets them apart in today's workplace.