"The Saga Of Management Review Of Writing Style"

QUESTION: How many feet do mice have?

Original reply: Mice have four feet.

Management comment: Elaborate!

Revision 1: Mice have five appendages, and
four of them are feet.

Comment: No discussion of fifth appendage!

Revision 2: Mice have five appendages; four of them
are feet and one is a tail.

Comment: What? Feet with no legs?

Revision 3: Mice have four legs, four feet and one tail
per unit-mouse.

Comment: Confusing -- is that a total of 9 appendages?

Revision 4: Mice have four leg-foot assemblies and
one tail assembly per body.

Comment: Does not fully discuss the issue!

Revision 5: Each mouse comes equipped with four
legs and a tail. Each leg is equipped with a foot at the
end opposite the body; the tail is not equipped with a foot.

Comment: Descriptive? Yes. Forceful? NO!

Revision 6: Allotment appendages for mice will be:
Four leg-foot assemblies, one tail. Deviation from this
policy is not permitted as it would constitute
misappropriation of scarce appendage assets.

Comment: Too authoritative; stifles creativity!

Revision 7: Mice have four feet; each foot is attached to
a small leg joined integrally with the overall mouse
structural sub-system. Also attached to the mouse
sub-system is a thin tail, non-functional and ornamental
in nature.

Comment: Too verbose/scientific. Answer the question!


FINAL REVISION
APPROVED BY
MANAGEMENT: Mice have four feet.