Communication is the Foundation
Guy in bar: my wife doesn't understand me. Cougar: come again?
Mr. Mousebender and I have in common large vocabularies, and we're not afraid to use them. In my case, the big words spring readily from my tongue before consciousness is engaged. I know what I'm saying and the meaning is perfectly clear. A much better state would be for the reader/listener to find the message perfectly clear and understand it.
Enough barriers exist between sender and receiver. Vocabulary, or lack thereof, need not be one of them: sender ---> MESSAGE ---> receiver = communication. The message cannot be MeSsAwgee! or any other corruption. Listen up, because clear communication is the foundation for all writing. You thought I was going to say spelling or good grammar, didn't you?
What is "clear communication?" Word choices. The more important the message, the simpler the choice. That's why traffic signs read "Stop" and "Caution." These are basic words most all English speakers know. Does that mean I advocate Dick and Jane sentences? Sometimes. They certainly hold up well for news reports and other journalism aimed at audiences that include those with the least education.
Finally, we get to the message receiver, the reader. This is the person to have in mind when you write. For example, if you write a novel to please the critics, book reviewers, you might produce a literary masterpiece and a commercial flop. Write for the masses who still buy and enjoy quick reads, and your book won't appear in the NY Times reviews, but you may make a little money and a lot of people satisfied.
Who is your audience?
Mr Mousebender: And I thought to myself, 'A little fermented curd will do the trick,' so, I curtailed my Walpoling activities, sallied forth, and infiltrated your place of purveyance to negotiate the vending of some cheesy comestibles.This little scene is the intro to L. Diane Wolfe's 12/18/09 blog post, Spunk On A Stick's Tips: And Now For Something Completely Different!. It often typifies the resultant condition when I verbalize. See? I meant, "When I talk, people don't understand me." Or else they laugh.
Henry Wenslydale: Come again?
Mr Mousebender: I want to buy some cheese!
Mr. Mousebender and I have in common large vocabularies, and we're not afraid to use them. In my case, the big words spring readily from my tongue before consciousness is engaged. I know what I'm saying and the meaning is perfectly clear. A much better state would be for the reader/listener to find the message perfectly clear and understand it.
Enough barriers exist between sender and receiver. Vocabulary, or lack thereof, need not be one of them: sender ---> MESSAGE ---> receiver = communication. The message cannot be MeSsAwgee! or any other corruption. Listen up, because clear communication is the foundation for all writing. You thought I was going to say spelling or good grammar, didn't you?
What is "clear communication?" Word choices. The more important the message, the simpler the choice. That's why traffic signs read "Stop" and "Caution." These are basic words most all English speakers know. Does that mean I advocate Dick and Jane sentences? Sometimes. They certainly hold up well for news reports and other journalism aimed at audiences that include those with the least education.
Finally, we get to the message receiver, the reader. This is the person to have in mind when you write. For example, if you write a novel to please the critics, book reviewers, you might produce a literary masterpiece and a commercial flop. Write for the masses who still buy and enjoy quick reads, and your book won't appear in the NY Times reviews, but you may make a little money and a lot of people satisfied.Who is your audience?
Labels: English, words, writing
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