The Importance of Good Writing
"Writing continues to be the signature means of communication in the digital age." So said Sharon J. Washington, the executive director of the National Writing Project to 3,000 K-12 teachers from all subject areas this summer at a nationwide group of writing conferences. The idea is to more actively promote creative writing skills to their students throughout their learning years.
I don't know why this surprised me. I have long known that the need for good writing skills is everywhere in an adult's life, but I thought that situation may have changed somewhat with the times. People today are reading fewer books and publications as they spend more and more time on their iPods and computers playing games and making Facebook and Twitter friends and followers. But, as I thought about it, I realized that the vast majority of computer use also requires good writing skills.
Businesses need websites to introduce themselves to their customers and blogs to advise them about their latest developments and products. Companies are now being advised to use Facebook and Twitter, though I haven't yet figured out what the advantage is here. (If any of you know, please advise me.) Many individuals use these same applications in their personal lives. Then there is the overriding place e-mail has long taken everywhere as the easiest and fastest means of written communication. All of these require good writing skills.
Obviously, the need to write clearly, concisely, accurately, and colorfully is not diminishing in the least. These four points, by the way, comprise Pulitzer's four-point formula for good writing, a guide that has been my guiding light during my many years as a freelance writer. (The "colorful" part is the quality that makes for interesting reading.) So write on, friends. And if you have any questions I can help you with concerning my field, comment below or e-mail or Facebook me. I'd be happy to help, if I can.
Yours for the love of writing,
Margaret
P.S. This post was written for publication on Friday, July 23
I don't know why this surprised me. I have long known that the need for good writing skills is everywhere in an adult's life, but I thought that situation may have changed somewhat with the times. People today are reading fewer books and publications as they spend more and more time on their iPods and computers playing games and making Facebook and Twitter friends and followers. But, as I thought about it, I realized that the vast majority of computer use also requires good writing skills.
Businesses need websites to introduce themselves to their customers and blogs to advise them about their latest developments and products. Companies are now being advised to use Facebook and Twitter, though I haven't yet figured out what the advantage is here. (If any of you know, please advise me.) Many individuals use these same applications in their personal lives. Then there is the overriding place e-mail has long taken everywhere as the easiest and fastest means of written communication. All of these require good writing skills.
Obviously, the need to write clearly, concisely, accurately, and colorfully is not diminishing in the least. These four points, by the way, comprise Pulitzer's four-point formula for good writing, a guide that has been my guiding light during my many years as a freelance writer. (The "colorful" part is the quality that makes for interesting reading.) So write on, friends. And if you have any questions I can help you with concerning my field, comment below or e-mail or Facebook me. I'd be happy to help, if I can.
Yours for the love of writing,
Margaret
P.S. This post was written for publication on Friday, July 23
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