The importance of good writing skills
Our modern society, to the detriment of oral tradition, has become primarily dependent on the written word and on (the new) media. Yet the storyteller’s ambition has always remained the same. Which is, to convey a message to others.
A writer may be specialized in – for example – website offering, commercial copy writing, journalism, documentation, scientific writing or – in case he’s a poet or novelist – self expression. Or he may be a business manager who simply tries to communicate a message. Whatever be the nature of his writing, he too – like the old-time story teller – uses his proficiency and insights to reach his goals. Good writing skills are essential for effective communication. In order to have a message strike home a writer has to develop a keen insight into the nature of his readers or target group and a refined command of written language.
A written text is subject of many different interpretations, dependent on the level of understanding and receptiveness of the reader(s). The tone, diction and choice of words should therefore always be well tuned to the mind frame of those the writer attempts to reach.
Native American-Anishinaabe
artist Leland Bell/Bebaminojmat (Wikwemikong, Manitoulan Island, Canada)
once said about language:
“Language has a power of its own. It is important to communicate. There
is energy coming out of every person. Words move and vibrate on their
own. Language is alive”.
Leland Bell: “Orators”
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It is safe to say that language has many limitations. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry summarized the (im)potency of language as follows: “Words are the source of misunderstandings.” True or not, it is a fact that the words in most texts, no matter how well-crafted, can never lead to a uniform interpretation or truth. For each written text is capable of many different interpretations, according to the level of understanding and receptiveness of the reader(s).
In the light of the above one might say that language (or a written text) can never be context-free. Just as human reasoning, including logical reasoning and common sense, is strictly context-sensitive. It is this notion – text is embedded in context – that Taalkundige.com lays emphasis on when it takes on an assignment – be it a writing assignment, or proofreading and editing a paper or dissertation or management plan or, for instance, point of sales material. Linguistic proficiency, good writing skills and a keen insight into the nature of the target group are necessary requirements for a writer who wants to communicate a message.
Using words is like pointing
to the stars. To lead someone’s gaze to a particular star you must
point with precision. Only a good writer has the power to point people in
the right direction.