People who read but don't understand

Steeps · 9 Jan 2009 at 00:45

sara said:
It's easy enough to understand but it's all over the place.

If you're going to give anyone information which includes an obvious progression like dates or time, it's worth putting them in order and matching everything else up to those. MUCH easier to read. Just like a timetable.

Code:

8th Jan College 9th Jan Placement 15th Jan College 16th Jan Placement 22nd Jan College 23rd Jan Placement 29th Jan College 30th Jan Placement 5th Feb College 6th Feb Placement 12th Feb College 13th Feb Placement 19th Feb College 20th Feb HCSA City General 26th Feb College 27th Feb HCSA City General 5th Mar College 6th Mar Placement 12th Mar College 13th Mar Placement 19th Mar College 20th Mar Placement 26th Mar College 2nd Apr College 3rd Apr HCSA City General 9th Apr College

This would have been easier. People normally plan by day rather than location, unless they're planning to do something when at a certain location.

Dinomania · 9 Jan 2009 at 00:52

Well, to me it's just like plotting a graph - time always goes along the bottom. So in a table, time always goes down the side (sometimes across the top too if you've got a proper weekly table with times of day as well as weekdays). Just one of those things.

Calling people retarded for expecting a logical layout seems a little harsh!

Azagoth · 9 Jan 2009 at 03:22

dmpoole said:
I decided that my latest letter could not be misunderstood even by a Port vale supporter.

You see Dave, there's your problem! You just misunderstood the sheer stupidity of Vale fans.

Skidder · 9 Jan 2009 at 06:48

Covering letter, attached table.

Admiral Huddy · 9 Jan 2009 at 08:06

It's fully readable and I understood but a time table (as said already) wouldn't have gone miss.

I know what you mean though, I send out letters and emails at work and 90% I get calls asking questions which is clearly written in the body.

That said, some people just need confirmation from voice rather than in a letter it seems.

R.O.S.S.I · 9 Jan 2009 at 08:20

Lists read perfectly fine, some people are just numpties. We must rise above them!

memyselfandi · 9 Jan 2009 at 08:30

I don't see any problem with the information provided even in the rough form in the OP.

Maybe you should include a line in the letter that states that understanding the dates given is a requirement of the course and as such you will deduct 10% of the overall grade for the course for every bone-headed query or failure to turn up at the right place on the right day.

SexyGreyFox · 9 Jan 2009 at 08:39

Killa_ken said:
This is what happens when you have to deal with the offspring of *****.

But it's also Doctors, nurses, ward managers, Centre Managers & teachers that have been ringing me.

Good suggestions Sara but I've also got to keep my printing down to one page and a dated list going down would seep into 2.
If they can't understand the new one I linked to then there's no hope.
I've even had to alter the labels I put on the envelopes and altered how the address looks at the top of the letter because of phone calls I've had.