>Message: 6 >Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:44:18 -0800 (GMT-08:00) >From: Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [Callers] Using effective word order in prompts > >>Laila wrote: >>My understanding is that the basic rule is "who, what, how much [if >>needed]"; e.g. "gents allemande left once and a half," or "partner balance >>and swing" (as opposed to the commonly heard "balance and swing your >>partner"). The idea is to give the dancers the information in the order >>they need it -- first, they need to orient toward the correct person, then >>know what to do, then know how long to keep doing it (unless it's >>obvious). I was also taught that the "how much" is one of the first >>things you leave off when you're shortening calls in preparation for >>dropping out entirely. > >Greg wrote: >Laila is correct. The basic principle is the same, though I learned a >variation. I also have to admit that the phrase "effective word order" may >be an invention of mine. This idea is usually treated as a basic of >structuring calls. I coined the phrase to emphasize the importance of this >principle.
Okay. I follow the same rule as Lewis <the way they sign themselves>. My cards are written that way and that's the way I call. There was just something about that phrase you use Greg that made me wonder if things had changed over time and I was no longer calling most effectively. And I have to say that I wasn't sure I saw the link between effective word order and booking ahead, centre set syndrome and failure to integrate newcomers until I read through the whole section of the article you included. But I agree with your comments. I'd be interested in reading the rest of the article. Thanks for the reality check! Wishing everyone on Shared Weight a happy and healthy holiday season and lots of calling in the New Year! Bev
