The most wonderful time of the year?

This time of year is always my favorite. I love the lights, the food, and the overall atmosphere that permeates the entire holiday season. I even love the music, up to a point. If I hear "Simply having a wonderful Christmas time" many more times this month, I'm going to freak out. If you've heard the song, you know what I mean. But all the traditions and holiday cheer only goes so far in covering up our natural human nature. When did the day to celebrate the birth of Christ become a chance for people to relish in their greed? When did it become a time when a worker at a Walmart is trampled to death by sale hungry shoppers at 5 a.m. trying to buy a LCD TV? When did we get so caught up in what WE want for Christmas that we forgot those living on the streets, where their only desire is a hot meal and a warm place to sleep?

It breaks my heart to see this holiday become a marketing and consumer driven quarter for businesses to make sales. Have you been to a retail store lately? Sure, their deals might be hard to pass up, but have you seen how cranky and crabby most shoppers and workers have become? The shoppers are on a mission to buy that pair of white socks for half price for their uncle who won't even wear them. And that Wii they just fought three customers for will end up unused in the closet by their spoiled nephew. All the holiday spending does is put us further in debt. Most gifts end up being regifted, given away, or broken. If it's the thought that counts, why don't we give them something that doesn't cost a fortune and will get used? Instead of a video game that will get played twice, how about zoo tickets so they can get away from the TV and maybe learn something besides how to steal cars and kill aliens. And heaven forbid they actually get outside and get some fresh air and exercise...

It's not all bad. Amidst all the greed and self-serving activities, there is still some good left to this consumerism-driven holiday. It just depends on where you look. Avoid the shopping malls. If you want to give a gift, make it something personal, something that person will really love, not something you just bought on sale. If you can't think of something personal, choose to spend some time together. Try to spend this season with loved ones. Plan cookie making parties, or make gingerbread houses. Go play in the snow. Spend some time doing something for those in need. Donate to a shelter. Try to do something that will serve others, and not yourself. And most importantly, keep the CHRIST in CHRISTmas.

In response to Rhiannon's blog...

My favorite point that Rhiannon brought up was this line: "I have learned that writing doesn't have to be fancy to get the point across; it can be simple." That truly is one of the biggest things to get out of this class. Most of the English classes I have taken have focused on the more creative side of writing. Sentences have to be eloquently written, the bigger and more creative the word, the better. But this class has definitely taught me that unless you are doing creative writing, most of the writing you do SHOULD NOT be in this format. We live in a fast-paced world where people don't have time to read every word written. You need to get to the point quickly and simply. While this may not encourage my creative side, I can really see how this form of writing is best for the work environment.

What I've Learned...

When I signed up to take this class, it was not a choice. It was just another requirement that I was working my way through in order to graduate. I was a little worried about taking it--I hadn't taken an English class since high school. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I was worried about having to write a bunch of papers--expository, persuasive, the usual. However, the mix of different genres has been interesting and informational. I really enjoyed the spin put on the class. Instead of writing paper after paper for academic purposes, we took a direct look at what things are like in the real world and constructed our assignments in that sense. In this sense, this has been one of the most useful classes I've taken. Writing comes up in whatever line of business you choose. Even if you don't have to write lengthy technical reports, you will most likely have to write a memo or a write-up of an event or meeting or some other unstructured form.

With all the focus on the reader, I have definitely learned to take a look at my writing and see how a reader would see it. I may think that I've written the best piece of work ever, but if no one reads it, then it's worthless. I need to target what I write to my reader. I also need to make sure that what I'm writing has a purpose for the reader. One of the biggest realizations for me of this concept is when writing an objective statement for a resume. I struggled with this in the past, not knowing how to word it. But after reading about how it should be targeted to your employer and what they will gain, not what you will gain, then it has a purpose.

Overall this has been a great class. I've learned a lot, been entertained, and definitely improved my writing. I've always enjoyed writing and been good at it, but this has transformed it into something useful for my future career. It has changed it from a hobby, or something to get a good grade, into something that will be an asset to me in my future career.

In reponse to Inna's post

I liked how Inna pointed out how a website needs to be easy to find on the Internet. If you create this awesome website with cool graphics and quick links, if no one ever sees it, it's worthless. You need to be able to put keywords somewhere on your website. If you're selling a product, you need to be able to include as many words that will match up to something that someone will search for, so that when someone types "custom blinds" into google, your website will come up. I also remember the first speaker talking about this. You may think you have the best website, but you have to go to different search engines and try searching for your page to see if it comes up.

Chapters 17 and 18

Chapter 17: Creating and Delivering Listener-Centered Oral Presentations

I really enjoyed this chapter. Public speaking has always been a somewhat uncomfortable activity for me through the years. For me and just about everyone else. I've read before that more people fear public speaking than death. I believe it!!

This chapter provided a lot of tips to use to prepare for a presentation so that you can get rid of the things that will make you nervous. I liked how it focused on making it interesting for the audience. I have been to many presentations that are long and boring and do not cater to the audience at all. Reading word-for-word off of PowerPoint slides is a common annoyance that the book mentioned and that I share. When people read off of slides, I immediately lose interest. Visuals should only provide key points and be a supplement to what you're saying. They should not be a script for your entire presentation.

Chapter 18: Creating Reader-Centered Web Pages and Websites

This chapter contained a lot of information that I was already familiar with. I have learned what websites should look like just by surfing the web. You can immediately see a good website versus a bad website. Visual design, ease of use, and availability of information are very important aspects to a good website.

Chapters 2, 9, and 10

Chapter 2: Overview of the Reader-Centered Communication Process: Obtaining a Job

Here's reader-centered writing at its finest! This entire chapter was almost an introduction to the reader-centered approach that we have been reading throughout the entire chapter. In this chapter, however, it was focused on job stuff, which is actually very relevant. Most of the items on resume writing was pretty standard, all things I have seen and used before. The one thing that threw me, however, was the suggestion to tailor each resume to the business you are sending it to. Here I thought you constructed and perfected this immaculate resume, and then it was perfect to send out as you pleased. This chapter had a very good point in altering it. A company would prefer a tailored resume, one that directly addresses the position and company you are applying for, not just a general draft portraying your attributes. I also found the part on writing an objective showing what you can do for the company, rather than what you will get out of working there, a good addition. I will definitely take these suggestions to heart when I start sending out resumes.

Chapter 9: Beginning a Communication and Chapter 10: Ending a Communication

These chapters had pretty much the same ideas, just tailored to what to do in the beginning, and what to do in the end. For example, you should use a summary in both parts, but the beginning one should be a summary of things to come and the ending summary should be a summary of the most important parts of the paper. It's kind of the old adage, "Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them." I've always used this for writing papers and it seems to play a part here, too.

The Evils of Advertising...

It's been a few days, but the message that the movie "The Persuaders" focused on still bothers me. As a consumer, and as an intellectual human being, I resent what the big advertisers are trying to do. Advertising in its simplest form doesn't bother me. If I'm watching TV and an ad comes on for something that I might be interested in, I will pay attention and maybe even go out to purchase the item. Same thing goes for any print ads in periodicals. I expect them to be there, I read them if I'm interested, and if not I move on. But the way advertisers are trying to take it to the next level is what sickens me. They are now creating ad campaigns that are supposed to appeal to our emotional side, and force us to buy something, even if we don't really realize why we want it. Or using "product placement' to get to us on a subliminal level. Or posting their ads and logos every where we look so we're forced to look at their stupid ad. This is what really bothers me. It's kind of like guerrilla advertising. And we thought they were following some code of ethics...

I also hate the fact that they think they can motivate us to buy something by using the facts of the "reptilian brain". For one thing, I didn't evolve from a reptile, I was created. So that theory goes right out the window. Motivating me based on my basic needs is an insult. I am a human being that can make intellectual decisions. I am offended that advertisers think they can ignore my intellectual side and focus solely on my emotional needs. I'm not an animal, or a piece of meat to be won. I am a thinking, decision-making person that doesn't appreciate being fought after over slimy ad companies.

Being in the business major, I had to take a marketing class. I had the same feeling throughout that class, too. I don't know, it might just be my opinion, but I don't think we as consumers should be okay with what today's advertisers are doing. Our nation is so material-driven as it is, so when advertisers try to fuel that obsession, they are just keeping that materialistic part alive and well. I think we should step back and realize what the endless drive for more stuff is doing to us as a nation and people. We are constantly unhappy and need more and more. Our world is becoming cluttered with the all the stuff that we buy, barely use, then replace. The environmental issue is such a hot topic today. I think all the environmentalists should look at what the advertising companies are doing to drive the devastation of the natural world. Then maybe something could be done about it.

In Response to Taylor Black

I like how you touched on the fact that in the business world, there might not be time to step away from your writing, or for multiple peer reviews and revisions. When you complete something, it should be right the first time. That's what you're getting paid to do. If you can't deliver on the first try, then you either learn quickly or lose your job. Every job may not be like this, but when it comes down to it, employers really do want it done right the first time. Then they don't have to pay for revisions of something that should already be done. In school, all these suggestions are very useful, but in the business world, there might not be time. It's important though to use the review suggestions whenever possible and work in reviewing throughout the creation of the project.

Chapters 14 and 15

Chapter 14: Revising Your Drafts

This chapter was all about how to revise a draft. I really liked how it emphasized the work aspect of revision. When writing a school paper, you usually just keep revising it until you have it just about perfect. However, when you're on the job, you usually have a limited time frame to complete revisions, so you have to choose which revisions would bring the greatest improvement in the the least amount of time.

This chapter also introduced how to revise something yourself, and how to both review someone else's draft and what to do when someone else reviews your draft. I have often used many of the suggestions on self-review. When you put your work down for a while and then come back to it later, you can catch things you missed while fully engrossed in the paper. Reading a draft out loud can also help you catch things your mind smoothed over while reading. When you are acting as a reviewer, you should always have good explanations for changes you suggest. On the other side, you should be open to listening to these explanations for your own draft.

Chapter 15: Testing Drafts for Usability and Persuasiveness

This chapter was about testing to see if the draft you've written gets the response from readers that you intended. I've never done this before on any school projects, but I can definitely see where it would come into play when on the job. If you are writing instructions for how to install something, you want to see if it works. By setting up a test, you can have readers that either are your target markets, or readers that resemble your target markets as close as possible read through you work. Then, through observations, you can determine which areas are working well, and which areas need improvement.

In Response to Amela's Post

I agree with how much bias would affect a journalist. They may feel fine ethically to report a story that does not match the ethics of their viewers. Or they may report on a story and spin it in a way that they believe is the best way to present it, but that may completely miss the other side of the story. In journalism, it is very important to have a group of people to bounce ideas off of in order to determine if you are taking one side, instead of reporting the news. A group meeting like the one that Jesse Day described at Koin could help to meet this need. However, if everyone in the group agrees, then sometimes someone needs to play devil's advocate in order to ensure they are covering every side of the issue at hand.

Journalism and Ethics

Wow, I never realized how much journalism was wrapped up in ethics!! Do I print this? Do I not? Will this be reporting the news correctly, or breaking an ethical boundary? The way Jesse Day spoke about it, it seems that journalism involves toeing the line, seeing how close you can get to the ethics line without crossing it. Will that picture of the child with the blown-off head cause trauma to readers and parents, or should we print it to prevent something like it happening again?

We've talked about ethics in my Accounting 433 class this semester. Accounting involves a lot of ethical decisions, but nothing compared to what you face on a daily basis in journalism. That one story you chose to print could forever make you wonder if you did the right thing. You have to constantly check ethical guidelines and make sure you use "attribution" so that if anything comes up with what you said, you attributed it to someone else, so they can take the fall. And the whole concept of sucking in viewers by showing ghastly news stories (I know Jesse said that's not what they do, they just report the news, but come on, we all know gore is popular. Why does everyone slow down as they drive past an accident?) disturbs me. Sure, news that just showed happy stories wouldn't get high ratings, but maybe that's a problem rooted in our culture. I don't know. I'm just glad that I don't have to deal with those kind of situations on a day-to-day basis. I don't know how I would sleep at night...

In Response to Melissa Bonneville's Post

I totally agree with the lure of the weather report as a hook to keep you watching. I too enjoy watching the weather, and the seven-day forecast is what you always wait for. I've always noticed the short updates they use. They will use lines, sometimes ones that lead you to think something drastic will happen ("Will we get snow on the valley floor?") and then when it comes time for the actual report, it will have nothing to do with what they said earlier ("No snow in Portland, only above around 5000 feet in the mountains").

I've also noticed how they save the best stories for the end of the show. They broadcast a little tidbit of what they will talk about, and then at the very end of the program they will have a tiny clip about the supposed big story that they lured you in with.

These little tricks used by the evening news may seem kind of deceptive, but they are techniques that they have come up with, and they seem to be working. If I watch the news for the weather, I'll keep watching until the seven-day forecast. If the story I want to hear about is at the end of the program, I'll keep watching until it's over. So I guess they do know what they are doing over at the news station...

It's now time for the evening news...

I've grown up watching the evening news. My parents always turned it on when they got home while they prepared dinner. It would be an update of what happened during the day, something to come home to. When I was little it was common background noise to our family evenings. But as I have since moved out, I've discovered that I'm not as inclined to turn it on. I've found it's just too depressing!! I would much rather turn on a sitcom rerun. The characters will get into some problem, but things always work out and you usually get a laugh along the way. You can sit comfy in your warm home and watch the characters struggle and ultimately come out on top.

As of late, all that the news broadcasts is murders, traffic collisions, failing markets, unrest overseas, and other catastrophes. Gone are the days of feel-good stories and special interest pieces. Instead we are bombarded with the bad in the world. Problems usually don't get wrapped up into one little package--they drag on and on. You don't get to laugh at people's antics--instead you cringe. It can really affect you. Ever since September 11, and the continual broadcast of the horrific images and footage taken of the event, TV news just hasn't held the same place for me. Unless it's snowing outside, the news usually won't come on.

The Internet has also replaced TV news for me. Instead of having to suffer through all the terrible things going on in our world to catch a story about the weather, you can just go online and quickly find out what you want to know. You can avoid the bad, and just pick out the good. And in this way, you can have time to watch your rerun and laugh a little.

In Responce to Inna's Post

The class on freelance writing opened up my eyes to how magazines get put together. I agree with Inna about the multiple possibilities that are available to someone who wants to write. All you have to do is look at a publication's website and find out if they take freelance work, and then send it in. You can also change topics that you want to write about as you please. I like how Inna says that in this way, writing will never get boring. If you want to write about exercise one week and child raising the second, all you have to do is send your work to different places. I think this does open up a lot of possibilities to someone who wants to write and get published. It provides an opportunity to write about what your heart desires, but also to get paid for it.

Freelance Writing

The idea that you can get paid by sending items you wrote to different publications is really a good idea. You don't have to be an employee, you just send in something you wrote, and if they like it, they'll print it!! I didn't realize that most of the items that you read in magazines are actually written by freelance writers. I think that is actually a great idea for both writers and publications.

First of all, writers can write about many different topics and many different genres. Writing about the same thing all the time could get pretty boring, and by being able to write about anything that interests you at the time, a writer can have some variety in their work. A freelance writer also has many options for getting their work published. If they send their work to one publication and they don't like it, they can then send it to another publication that will publish it. This gives many opportunities for a writer to get published.

Publications also would benefit from using freelance writers. They don't have to keep writers on payroll, and they can pick and choose written pieces as they want. They may publish something from one writer one month, and not like the next article sent in. So they can then choose something from another writer. They can also get large varieties of work. When they can choose many different works from many different writers, they're publications cover a wide variety and are interesting to read. They can get work from different regions, different interests, and different topics.

Overall, the freelance writing market is a good system for everyone. If I was looking to go into writing, I would definitely consider doing freelance.

In Response to Sarah Ross's Post

I liked how Sarah mentioned that you should read what you write out loud before finalizing. For one thing, you can catch errors in grammar that you might skip over when reading in your head. But as Sarah said, if you read something you wrote in a board meeting and stumble over wording or phrasing, your credibility disappears. For example, say you are writing a proposal and are asked to read over a section during a meeting. If you can't read what you wrote, your proposal will probably not be chosen. When you are trying to build up ethos, not being able to read your own work will harm any other efforts you may have used to incorporate credibility into the proposal.

Chapter 8 and 19

Chapter 8: Developing an Effective Style

This chapter was about creating your voice, constructing sentences, and selecting words when writing for the reader.

The section on creating your voice was helpful. Whenever I write, I tend to have a personal voice, one I would use in speaking. However, this chapter showed there are situations that arise that will affect which type of voice should be used. I liked how it suggested to avoid "bureaucratese" and instead say things in your own words. Wordy and stuffy talk has always bothered me. Just because it sounds fancy doesn't make it better. In many cases, it makes it worse. If you can't understand it, your readers won't either.

The section on constructing sentences transported me back to grade school where we would diagram sentences. It was informative, but a little redundant. I did like the guidelines for creating sentences for people who were not fluent in English. When learning Spanish in high school, the simple sentences were always a lot easier to understand. Since English is such a hard language to learn, keeping things simple can really help someone translate your writing into something that is usable to them.

The section on selecting words was kind of a contradiction to what I have been taught in previous classes. It recommends choosing plain words over fancy words. In previous English classes, I have always been taught to use fancy words to make my essay sound smarter. But I can definitely see how using simple words can eliminate confusion to the reader.

Chapter 19: Managing Client and Service-Learning Projects

The main thing that I got out of this chapter was that even with all we know about how things should be written, when it comes to writing for a client, the client always has the last word. This could be very frustrating. When you know the best way something should be presented, but your client wants something else done, you don't have much choice. You can try to persuade them that using a reader centered approach would be more effective in getting the readers to vote for their proposal, but if the client says no, you have to write it the way they want. The customer is always right... I really hate that.

In Response to Rhiannon's Rhetoric Blog Post

I loved your examples of rhetoric that you see on a daily basis. Each one clearly showed how rhetoric is used in seemingly simple situations.

• The example of the person you work with using her longevity to persuade is definitely ethos. She is building up herself in order to show that she is right.
• The example of your nephew is a perfect appeal to emotions. Children invoke emotions just by being children, so when they use that to get something they want, they are definitely using pathos, even if they have no idea what it is!!
• The example of using your logic to get a new car shows logos. Trying to use a logical persuasion to get something you want can help convince yourself and others to go along with what you desire.

I like how these examples show how people use the three types of persuasions in their daily life, even though they don't know about rhetoric. Aristotle was correct in saying there are three clear methods used whenever you try to persuade.

Chapters 6 & 7 Readings

Chapter 6: Conducting Reader-Centered Research
This chapter was all about how to conduct research that is aimed at the reader. It was an interesting approach. Instead of just finding information for what you want to do for a project, you are intentionally researching for your audience. This distinction is especially evident when comparing research done for a work project versus a school project. For school, you will research about a topic that will be useful to you sometime in the future. On the job, you will research about a topic that will be practical and helpful to others, right now. This chapter also went into detail about the intellectual property law. According to this law, you cannot use anything that is created by someone else without compensating them or attributing the work to them. These laws are stricter for business usage compared to academic usage.

Chapter 7: Drafting Paragraphs, Sections, and Chapters
This chapter began instruction on how to actually construct a paragraph of written work. It stressed the importance of organization, topic sentences, headings, and other means to make your point as clear to your reader as possible. The passage about doing laundry that was used to show the importance of providing the topic of a passage at the beginning was really interesting. After reading the paragraph a second time, it made complete sense. The first time, I couldn't even read it, it was all nonsense. I also liked the suggestion to use topic sentences, forecasting statements, transitions, and echo words. These techniques all help to show your reader exactly what you are trying to get across and helps to eliminate breaks in communication. I think that passages with these types of techniques are much easier to read. I am a big fan of headings and believe they are very helpful in improving both the visual and contextual design of writing.

Rhetoric: Just some funny Greek?

Aristotle defined the different types of persuasion by using three Greek words: ethos, logos, and pathos. While I don't speak Greek, these words were actually familiar to me. Since many English words have Greek roots in them, it is easy to connect what they mean to words we use today.

Ethos: similar to ego. This form of persuasion establishes your credibility, so that readers will be persuaded to do what you say. By showing that you are superior, and your ideas are favorable, readers will be more likely to be persuaded. An example of this could be putting your credentials in your writing, showing how qualified you are to recommend an option.

Logos: similar to logic. This form of persuasion uses logical arguments to persuade your readers. Using facts, data, and logical conclusions, readers are more likely to see how your option should be chosen, because it is simply the best option available. An example of this could be providing facts on how your product works better than competitor's, so that the obvious, logical choice would be your product.

Pathos: similar to pathetic, or emotions. This form of persuasion uses emotions to persuade readers to do something. It tries to get them emotionally involved or connected so that when it comes time to make a decision, their emotions will force them to side with your argument. An example of this could be showing starving children on commercials for health aid so that you will feel bad and donate money.

Chapters 4, 5, 16, and 23

Chapter 4: Planning for Usability

This chapter was about identifying your audience, much like the previous chapter we read. Except in this case, it was referring to knowing your audience so that you can make your written work usable. This is very important. If something you write isn't usable, it is a waste of both your time and the person or people who read it. I liked how it said to outline and use headings for your document. I know this is extremely helpful to me. When I have something that I don't really have the time or desire to read, scanning the headings can help me pinpoint what the document is about and where I need to go to find the things I need. I also liked how it suggested to put the bottom line first. This can also help readers quickly get what they need out of the document. The use of superstructures is also very helpful to me in creating a document. If I know how it should look, that will help me to create something that the reader is familiar with and knows exactly where to go to find what they need.

Chapter 5: Planning Your Persuasive Strategies

This chapter was on how to get your readers to read your document. It used Aristotle's persuasive strategies--logos, pathos, and ethos--to help explain the different types of persuasion techniques. The section on the tests on rearranging the order of presentation of items was very interesting. Just by putting someone's credentials at the beginning of a document (using the direct organizational pattern) instead of at the end made the readers more favorable to the proposal. Since reading is a very reactive process and opinions change throughout, it is important to establish your ethos at the beginning. In this way you can start out by showing how credible you are so that your readers will automatically pay attention to what you say. You should also present yourself as a friend, not a foe. By setting up a favorable relationship with your reader, the reader is more likely to act according to your desires. This can be very useful when trying to persuade something that might not go over well in normal situations.

Chapter 16: Creating Communications with a Team

This chapter was on the different issues that groups have in writing something. I could really relate to this chapter. I have definitely been in groups where I ended up doing the majority of the work, and some of the suggestions in this chapter would actually have been helpful. I liked the suggestion of using a storyboard for use in planning the layout of a project. This way every group member can get an overall view of what the finished project will look like and keep everyone on track. This would also be very time efficient since having an overview will prevent omissions and overlaps in the research. By establishing up front what is required for the project, every group member should be aware of their respective roles and work requirements. By clarifying any ambiguity before you begin research, you can help to eliminate issues down the road. Also, the suggestions on conducting an efficient meeting were very helpful. I have been in meetings where all we seem to do is talk and it would be helpful to have ways to wrap things up so members can go home. This will help in time management and ensure that group members feel that the meetings are worthwhile and not a waste of time. It will also ensure required work is done in meetings so things can get done on time.

Chapter 23: Writing Reader-Centered Instructions

This chapter was really interesting. I have read many instructions throughout my lifetime. Some were clear and concise and showed me how to accomplish what I needed. However, the majority of instructions are NOT reader-centered. They do not use any of the suggestions posed in this chapter. By using white space, graphics, numbered lists, and clear headings, instructions can be a lot easier to read. If instructions are clear, readers will be able to accomplish what they need and prevent unnecessary frustrations and damage. I liked the suggestion to put warnings BEFORE the step that might be dangerous. This could be very important. I also didn't realize the importance of persuasion in instructions. Readers really do need to be persuaded to follow instructions. Otherwise they won't read them. If you can show up front why the reader should read the instructions, they are much more likely to read them.

In Response to Melissa Bonneville's Post

I completely agree with Melissa's comment on how much there is to take into account when writing something. How do you really know the characteristics of ALL your readers? How could you ever know what they are thinking? We're not mind readers!! And how do you cater to every person who might happen upon your written work?

While we may not know the answer to every one of these questions, just being aware of them will help in our writing. We might miss the target completely the first attempt, but at least we are trying. Throught trial and error, next time, we might hit a bullseye.

Chapter 3 Reading

Chapter three was all about developing a mental picture of who is going to read your written document. This is somewhat of a tricky idea for me to understand. First of all, how do you ever know for sure who is going to read it and what they will think of it? However, the textbook did provide a lot of guidelines to help you discover that fact.

1. Focus on what you want to happen while your readers are reading
2. Define your usability goal: analyze your readers’ reading tasks
3. Define your persuasive goal: analyze your readers’ attitudes
4. Learn your readers’ personal characteristics
5. Global guideline: learn your readers’ cultural characteristics
6. Study the context in which your readers will read
7. Ask others to help you understand your readers and their context
8. Learn who ALL your readers will be
9. Identify any constraints on the way you write
10. Ethics guideline: identify your communication’s stakeholders

I thought the guideline on cultural characteristics was especially interesting. Growing up in the United States we learn how to write, how people react to things, and certain ways to conduct ourselves. Once you have conquered the hurdle of understanding the English language, spending years of time in classes studying it, you believe you can write anything to anyone. But with the globalization of the world economy, those skills you learned may not even be applicable when it comes to writing globally. Writing directly and to the point may be preferred in the United States, but if you wrote directly to someone in the Korean culture, you would be considered rude. So, that rule is out the window. How about writing with a lot of detail so that your reader will be sure to interpret exactly what you are trying to get across? Well, if you try that when writing to someone in Japan, you would be implying that they don’t know the things they should know. Your efforts to help the reader in understanding what they need to know would be implying that the reader is stupid. Cultural differences are huge. While there are many cultural differences to deal with, making any effort to be sensitive to the readers’ culture will be better than being arrogant and ignoring the differences altogether.

The other guideline that struck me was the one on learning who all your readers will be. Just because you are writing a memo to your immediate supervisor doesn’t mean that he won’t show it to his supervisor, or anyone else in the organization. This happens all the time. When writing something, you have to take into account all phantom and future readers. Your written word will not only be passed around, it will also be filed and documented so that future readers may pick it up. It could also be used as evidence in lawsuits.

After reading through this chapter about all the ways that not knowing your audience can affect you, I have definitely realized the importance of spending a little time studying your audience before writing anything.

The Horrors of Reading a Textbook

"Why is it that some textbooks have to be so hard to read?"

This thought crossed my mind this week as I read three different types of textbooks: one for a class titled "Families in Poverty", one for this class, and one for an accounting class. I understand that the content in each textbook widely differs, and that, on principle, a textbook on accounting information systems would be a lot harder to read than one on families in poverty. However, there are ways to make information engaging and interesting, so why don't more textbook writers do it?

The textbook written for my poverty class contains information and definitions, but also has lots of personal stories and examples. After reading one chapter, I was interested, engaged, and felt like I learned something valuable.

The textbook for this technical writing class was also an easy read. The wording was very clear and direct. There were also multiple pictures and graphics which broke up the text and created visual interest. I was able to read all three chapters in one sitting and felt able to use what I read to write for an audience.

The textbook for the accounting class was awful. We were supposed to read three chapters. I got through one of them, then gave up in the second chapter. The textbook is mostly text with few graphics, and full of complicated wording and descriptions of information systems.

Since we have to spend so much money on these textbooks, can't the writers put some effort in making them actually useful to the students who will buy them? If they are poorly written, we won't read them. But if they are engaging, we will.

Now to tackle my next accounting textbook...

Writing for Your Audience

The textbook immediately establishes the concept of writing for your audience. Throughout my previous English classes, the intent has been to be wordy, to sound prestigious, and to write about as much as you know. The textbook takes a stance that there is writing completed for educational purposes and writing completed for practical purposes. When you write a memo at work meant for your boss, you don't want to be wordy. You want to be to the point. Your boss will not care about your vocabulary, only what you're trying to say. In this instance, knowing and writing for your audience can make or break your career.

In the chapter on reader-centered correspondence, the correspondence cliche list (p. 528 in the text) took me by surprise. I understand its recommendation to use plain language instead of wordy expressions that you don't use in ordinary conversation, but I have always thought those expression were customary in business language. I recently had to write an IRS letter, and those types of expressions were used throughout the letter. Maybe the IRS is different?

The chapter on proposal writing was interesting. I like the use of a proposal written by someone in a company suggesting a change versus a proposal written in response to a RFP. I think the harder scenario would be the case where you are coming up with the proposal yourself in response to an idea that you had. In this case you would have to be sensitive to your job while also trying to improve things around you. It would be a touchy situation.

With the textbook putting so much of an emphasis on knowing your audience before you write something, what about a case where you don't know your audience? Does this ever happen? Or are there always ways to determine your audience?