eat your way to good writing... reading diet works!

I am imagining that we are not trying to duplicate a "Writing for Dummies" blog. I also imagine that if you are reading this, you care about your writing skill.

I am a sociologist, not a professional writer or novelist. But, regardless the profession, everyone ought to pay attention to the effectiveness of her or his writing. A maybe less than obvious reason for effective writing is that the words are “singing” a cappella. They stand alone to convey and connote meaning and intention. You do not have the luxury to be standing over the reader’s shoulder able to make “You know what I mean” kinds of comments and clarifications. In this era of instant messaging, text messaging and short order communications involving nearly real time give and take, we sometimes forget that formal writing is NOT a conversation. In a very real way, it is a monologue -- a single channel, one-way communication.

Thinking of our writing that way, we clearly see how effectively communicative it has to be. Hmmm... the list of such "things" could include resumes, term papers, snail mail letters, and e-mails. Okay, let's concede agreement. How can we tweak and fine-tune our writing skills?

I am not attempting to blog you to a best-seller, but here are some grounded, earthy ways to help get the polish and effectiveness you crave:

1. Monkey see, monkey do. Include quality in your reading diet. Without getting too psychological here, the brain thrives on pattern and reinforcement. What we read helps shape the way we speak and write. Reading quality written work (books, articles, literature related to your major or career) cannot help but contribute to improved writing skill.

2. Learn a new tongue. One of the best ways to learn the grammar, syntax, and other intricacies of our own language is to learn a new one. Not only does that force us to know the mechanics of our own better, but can also increase our English vocabulary. Our language is built upon several languages (Latin, Greek, and a good chunk of the Romance Languages). In fact, it is estimated that 40% of English comes from French and its related Romance languages. Even if you knew no French, you would be able to recognize and figure out a goodly portion of the words in a French book. Additional languages also provide alternative and perhaps even new world views and expanded mindsets.

3. Say it. Do not separate your language skills by partitioning them into speaking time, writing time, and reading time. Use your language skills regularly. Do the talk. Gradually increase your vocabulary by retiring or augmenting worn out phrases. After all, if everything gets the label of "awesome" then everything is somehow cheapened and truly less than awesome. Then, when it comes to writing something, you do not have to spend so much time trying to dredge up the words, phrases, and structures that have been lurking but left unused in your mental filing cabinet. Like Darwin said: "If you don't use it, you lose it!"

Three is a good number to stop at. More than that will be forgotten as soon as you leave this blog. Try one. Better yet, share a technique you have mastered that seems to contribute to your writing skill. After all, our goal is better writing for all (including us).