Importance of Instructions in Learning How to Write Effectively - Assignment Example

Importance of instructions in learning how to write effectively Effective writing is the result of meticulous planning about developing and generating content and immaculately translating in comprehensible language the content that has taken concrete shape in the mind of the author. Once the translation is complete, the next equally important step is to review the written document to weed out errors both linguistic and logical to ensure the written piece effectively conveys what it is meant to convey. All this can be achieved only through systematic and properly nuanced instructions and guidance at each stage of development of a person’s capability to write effectively. Introduction Writing, and writing effectively at that, is a skill, and like all skills, very few people are naturally endowed with fully developed skills of being able to write effectively. But almost all of us have the basic intelligence that is necessary for becoming an effective writer. It is only a matter of proper guidance, instructions and practice that can transform an ordinary writer into an accomplished and effective one. Overcoming the fear of failure and rejection and getting involved in concerted practice under proper guidance brings about tangible results within a reasonably short duration. (Turk & Kirkman, 1989, p. 14) Writing is communicating effectively One must understand the basic fact that writing is simply another means of communication and should be suited to the audience for whom it is meant. Unless the message satisfies some query of the targeted audience, it would fail to generate either any interest or any enthusiasm and would never be an effective vehicle of communicating some idea or information. The second most important aspect to be kept in mind is the language which should be such that it remains intelligible to the targeted audience. The message that has to be conveyed has to be done in as straightforward manner as possible. Any obfuscation of the basic message through mostly avoidable usage of technical jargon only manages to discourage potential readers and thus fails miserably in performing the task for which the document was written in the first place. This is possibly most evident in technical and scientific papers where at times the reader feels that the authors had forgotten that the basic aim of any form of writing is to communicate or convey certain ideas to a select group of people. Another reason might be that scientists and engineers often take cover behind the so-called “traditional” style of writing which is usually replete with an attempt to be absolutely accurate. An example might clarify the issue. A modern scientist while describing the structure of atoms might write: “It is hypothesised by the present writer that in essence the initial format of material substances was relatively dense, massive in weight, durable, and particulate in form; the extreme manifestation of hardness being displayed by resistance to diminution in size due to abrasive processes and by counter fragmentation systems.” The above passage is actually an updated version of what Isaac Newton wrote in 17th century: “It seems probable to me, that God in the beginning formed matter in solid, massy, hard, impenetrable, moveable particles; ... even so very hard, as never to wear or break in pieces.” (Pyke & Magnus, 1960, p. 380) Modern writers perhaps feel that unless their writing is verbose they are not being serious enough, but as we all know the end result is almost always a total calamity as far as communication is concerned. Writing can mislead too But such obliteration of necessary details under a barrage of convoluted and often pompous sounding words is potentially fraught with dangers of misleading gullible readers. Many a political leader takes cover under apparently innocuous words to whitewash other more serious concerns or issues that might raise the hackles of the audience the message is targeting. This is an area that has long been the subject of ridicule and lampooning by many stalwarts in English language, the most notable among them is none other than the inimitable George Orwell. In his essay ‘Politics and the English Language’, he states the dilemma faced by an English professor while defending Russian totalitarianism during the reign of Stalin. No matter what the professor might feel in his heart, he cannot publicly say, “I believe in killing off your opponents when you can get good results by doing so.” So, he would probably summon his considerable mastery over the language to produce some fluffy substance that would bury under the snow of righteousness all the tyranny and torture that goes hand in hand with totalitarianism. Maybe he would say: “While freely conceding that the Soviet regime exhibits certain features which the humanitarian may be inclined to deplore, we must, I think, agree that a certain curtailment of the right to political opposition is an unavoidable concomitant of transitional periods, and that the rigors which the Russian people have been called upon to undergo have been amply justified in the sphere of concrete achievement.” (Orwell, 1968, p. 59) The general reader gets swept away by the verbosity and euphemism and this effectively papers over the yawning gap of insincerity that is apparent in every word of the message. Indeed, Orwell goes on to further claim that not only do wrong thoughts corrupt language but wrong language also corrupts thoughts and a debased language often becomes the last refuge of cheats and imposters that roam about wearing a civilised mask. He has listed in the same essay several ground rules for writing intelligibly, sincerely and, what is most important, effectively: Avoid any overused metaphor or simile as it has probably lost its impact through overuse. The reader is interested in the information you provide, not in the vastness of your range of vocabulary. So, always use a simpler word if one is available. Use minimum number of words to express yourself. Always use active voice if that is possible. Do not use any foreign phrase, however sleek it might appear, if you have a common English equivalent. These phrases tend to obscure the message you are trying to convey and it is extremely doubtful whether they at all impress your readers about your erudition. If you feel that by obeying these rules you will end up writing something unethical, break these rules without a second thought. Writing as a process As anyone who has written at any point of time would admit, if one has to master the art of writing and scrupulously obey these rules, an understanding of vital components of the process of writing is absolutely essential. (Graham, 2006, p. 95) Thinking logically and creatively Writing is after all a form of communicating thoughts and ideas that crystallise in the mind of the author. So, an aspiring writer must logically arrange those ideas and use the faculty of creativity to decide on the most attractive form in which those ideas can be transmitted on paper. Prewriting This is an extremely important phase in the writing process where research into background material is done and scaffolding erected in the mind about how the output will be designed together with the style of writing that would be adopted. The author experiments with various ideas and viewpoints at this stage. (Calkins, 1994, p. 146) Drafting This is the first step where the author puts the ideas on paper. As is obvious and only natural, the first draft will be more of a gushing forth of all the ideas that have by now crystallised in some logical form in the mind of the author. However, those ideas must be formatted in a somewhat organised structure and the first draft would be the foundation on which the subsequent stages would be based. Revising Though rather mundane and unexciting part in the entire process, this is the last step in finalising the approach to the subject, the tone and tenor that would be adopted in the communication and rectification of any logical or structural errors that might have remained in the draft. Editing This is the stage for putting on the finishing touches to the output. The finishing touches would include rectification of errors in grammar and punctuation, if any, and possible minor embellishments of style and tone of the presentation. (Oak, 2009) Meaningful Writing By now we can safely conclude that writing is basically a combination of both social and cognitive process and is essentially a tool for communicating with other members of a society. It, therefore needs to be appropriate for the occasion as one would surely agree that writing a persuasive essay arguing a specific issue would most certainly be entirely different in form and diction than, say, a short story meant to be read out in a class. (Graves, 1978, p. 85) It becomes a real challenge for instructors to design a course curriculum for teaching effective writing. Some instructors arrange for a forum like class magazine where participants can freely express themselves and as they keep expressing themselves the kinks in their repertoire get gradually ironed out. There are also quite a few websites that encourage and invite budding authors to post their creations which need not be always be stories or opinions but also something as pedestrian as a circular meant to be posted on the office notice board. The basic purpose is to teach meaningful writing – a document that would serve its primary objective of properly and cogently sending a message or an opinion that it is meant to convey – holding the attention of the targeted audience all the while. Though handwriting and spelling have become less of a problem with the advent of laptops and spellcheckers, sentence formation still remains a big issue and scarcely can an author desist from the temptation of sounding wordy and pompous while holding forth on an issue even while being totally aware that potential readers get disinterested with such an approach. Thus, proper training by suitably qualified trainers is absolutely imperative to become a master wielder of the pen. (Irwin, 2008) Works Cited Calkins, L. The art of teaching writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann , 1994. Graham, S. "Strategy instruction and the teaching of writing: A meta-analysis." MacArthur, C. A. and S. Graham et al. Handbook of Writing Research. 2006. Graves, Donald H. Balance the Basics: Let Them Write. New York: Ford Foundation, 1978. Irwin, Georgia. "Academic Skills - Writing Effectively." 18 June 2008. NIPISSING University. 11 August 2009 Oak, Manali. "Components of the Writing Process." 4 September 2008 . Buzzle.com: Intelligent Life on the Web. 11 August 2009 . Orwell, George. "Politics and the English Language." Orwell, George. The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1968. Pyke and Magnus. "This Scientific Babel." The Listener XIV (1641) 8 September 1960: 380. Turk, Christopher and John Kirkman. Effective writing: Improving Scientific, Technical and Business Communication. London: E & FN SPON, May 1989. Read More