SESSION 2-Improving Writing

Improving Writing

As writers, we are experts in our own lives and nobody can tell our life story better than we can.  Nobody has stamped on his or her birth certificate, "ABSOLUTELY NO WRITING TALENT.”  However, many people dismiss their writing by saying they aren't talented enough.  This is nonsense. Writing well has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with practice, practice, practice. 

Science fiction writer, Kurt Vonnegut perhaps says it best: "The only difference between a writer and other human beings is that writer's don't give up".  Effective writers don’t scrawl out a first draft and decide “that’s it”.  Effective writers realize that the first draft is merely the first of many steps towards creating a correct and capable piece of writing.  In fact, successful writers might revise a piece many times before getting the writing “right’.  Ernest Hemingway, author of such masterpieces as The Old Man and the Sea, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Sun Also Rises, once wrote and re-wrote the ending to one of his novels 33 times.

There are no hidden shortcuts that teach you to be a better writer.  My only advice is to write.  The more you write, the better you get.  Writing is for the mind like exercise is for the body.  I defer to Nobel Prize winning author Sinclair Lewis’ short and to the point lecture he once gave to college students much like you:

So you want to be a writer...here's how!

It was reported that the great American author Sinclair Lewis was once asked to give a lecture on writing to a  group of college students: "Looking out at this gathering," he said to the assembled students, "makes me want to know how many of you really and truly wish to become writers?" Every hand in the room went up. Lewis looked at them for a moment and then folded his notes and put them away. "If that's true," he said, "then the best advice I can give you is to go home and write." He then turned and left the room. (The Communicator. Fall 1999)

The more you write, the more confidence you will begin to have in your abilities as writer.  You will also be more able to pick out glaring grammatical and mechanical errors.  This ability is very valuable and vital for success both in college and in the workplace, no matter what career path you decide on.  It is a no-brainer that effective writing will serve you well in the classroom; however, many students do not realize how important it is write well in the workplace. 

One of former president George Bush, Sr’s accomplishments during his four years in office was to establish the program Goals 2000.  Goals 2000 is in essence, a partnership between US schools and businesses.  The business community created guidelines of skills they would expect high school graduates to possess in order to succeed in the workplace.  The schools, through financial assistance from these businesses and through government educational grants, would do their part to make sure that all students graduate competent in these skill areas.  The eight national goals for schools to meet by the year 2000 were as follows:

·         All children in America will start school ready to learn.

·         The high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90%.

·         American students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency in English, math, science, history, and geography.  Every school in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well so they will be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment.

·         American students will be the first in math and science.

·         Every adult will be literate.

·         Every school in America will be free of drugs and violence and will offer a disciplined environment.

·         Schools will encourage parental involvement in education.

·         Schools will promote professional training for teachers.

Unfortunately, on entering the new millennium, we have to admit that these goals have not been accomplished.  What does this mean to you, the writing student?  Plenty.  Since Goals 2000 has not achieved its potential and many students are leaving high school and entering the workplace with sub-standard skills, especially in writing, knowing how to write effectively gives you an incredible advantage over those who can not.  A great way to impress a potential employer during an interview is to whip out a portfolio showing not only your accomplishments, awards won, etc., but also competent and correct writing samples.  When an employer is considering two candidates with relatively equal qualifications, knowing one candidate can write well can almost assure that candidate the edge in the selection process.