Blog Prompt #3
You may choose to engage/discuss this article in any way you choose. I know I would be particularly interested in reading personal responses and how you might want to try, or not try, this approach to writing.William Zinsser - "Simplicity"
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When I first read this, I thought, this is definitely something I need to work on. I do think on some level we as students want to sound knowledgeable about what we are writing about and feel the need to use big words. I admit, I'm guilty of that at times too. Just yesterday, I was filling out my absentee ballot. As I was reading the ballot issues, referendums, and amendments, I thought, wow, this is a prime example of what Zinsser is pointing out. The ballot issues were presented in a completely roundabout and drawn out way (as if it couldn't just say legalizing same-sex partnerships versus a long, winded version talking about a domestic partnership between two people that are not a man with a woman). I resorted to reading the blue book to get a summary of the ideas in simpler words. After reading this piece, I agree with Zinsser. Often times, you find legal, medical, and professional fields put together documents that are almost ridiculous to comprehend, and then you wonder whether or not the purpose of it all was to prevent the reader from understanding. In politics and legal cases, that may be true. That is how money scams can find success.
Back to the idea of writing though, I think I if I were able to articulate my ideas better, it would not be necessary to use such big words. I am going to attempt an outline and possibly stripping down my arguments to the core. Perhaps this will help my paper in the coherency section. I will also do my best to simplify what I am saying, but not to the degree that there is no sign of advanced thinking. The idea is that, if you know exactly what you want to prove, and have the support, then it will be easier to write a paper. On the other hand, if you are trying to make something sound intelligent by writing in a roundabout fashion, it probably won't be very effective. So yes, it sounds like a basic idea to me, but a good one at that. I'll definitely keep this in mind.
posted by Deborah @ 1:38 AM
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