Forwarded from turfazabon (Shaxzod Mirzayev)
LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively
The video, "LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively," tackles a fundamental challenge faced by experts: how to bridge the gap between their writing for their own thought processes and writing for an audience. Larry McEnerney, Director of the University of Chicago Writing Program, argues that conventional writing instruction often misses the mark with experts.
The Problem: Experts Write Differently
McEnerney asserts that experts, including academics, use writing in a unique way. They primarily use writing as a tool for *thinking*, crafting a personal space to organize and explore their ideas. This often results in writing that is clear and logical for the writer but dense and opaque for an external audience.
The Disconnected Reader:
The video highlights the critical disconnect between the writer's focus on internal clarity and the reader's need for clear communication and persuasive arguments. McEnerney uses the example of a historian writing about maize plot rents in Mexico. While the topic might be clear to the historian, it lacks immediate relevance and fails to engage the reader without establishing its significance.
Shifting Gears: From Thinking to Communication
The core message of the video revolves around the crucial shift that experts need to make when transitioning from writing for themselves to writing for an audience. This shift requires them to:
* Identify the Audience and Their Needs: Understanding the target audience's knowledge level, interests, and expectations is crucial. The writing should cater to these needs and bridge any knowledge gaps.
* Focus on Value and Relevance: Experts often assume their subject matter inherently holds value for the reader. However, explicitly demonstrating the significance and relevance of the topic is vital for capturing the reader's attention and investment.
* Clarity and Concision: Dense, jargon-filled writing might hinder comprehension. McEnerney emphasizes the importance of clear, concise, and engaging language that resonates with the audience.
* Persuasion and Action: Many types of writing, like grant proposals or policy papers, aim to influence the reader's behavior or decision-making. The writing should be structured and presented in a way that effectively persuades the reader to take the desired action.
Beyond the Basics:
McEnerney goes beyond technical writing skills and delves into the strategic aspects of effective communication. He advises experts to:
* Identify Power Dynamics: Recognizing who holds the power within their target audience allows experts to tailor their writing accordingly, addressing the needs and concerns of those who can influence the outcome.
* Strategic Use of Language: McEnerney suggests using "code language" strategically to subtly convey the complexity and potential challenges associated with their work, potentially increasing the perceived value of their expertise.
Conclusion:
"LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively" emphasizes the transformative power of shifting one's focus from internal clarity to audience-centered communication. By understanding the audience's needs, presenting information in a clear and relevant manner, and strategically employing language, experts can bridge the gap between their ideas and the world, increasing the impact and influence of their writing.
#webinar #leadership #writing
@ingliziya
The video, "LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively," tackles a fundamental challenge faced by experts: how to bridge the gap between their writing for their own thought processes and writing for an audience. Larry McEnerney, Director of the University of Chicago Writing Program, argues that conventional writing instruction often misses the mark with experts.
The Problem: Experts Write Differently
McEnerney asserts that experts, including academics, use writing in a unique way. They primarily use writing as a tool for *thinking*, crafting a personal space to organize and explore their ideas. This often results in writing that is clear and logical for the writer but dense and opaque for an external audience.
The Disconnected Reader:
The video highlights the critical disconnect between the writer's focus on internal clarity and the reader's need for clear communication and persuasive arguments. McEnerney uses the example of a historian writing about maize plot rents in Mexico. While the topic might be clear to the historian, it lacks immediate relevance and fails to engage the reader without establishing its significance.
Shifting Gears: From Thinking to Communication
The core message of the video revolves around the crucial shift that experts need to make when transitioning from writing for themselves to writing for an audience. This shift requires them to:
* Identify the Audience and Their Needs: Understanding the target audience's knowledge level, interests, and expectations is crucial. The writing should cater to these needs and bridge any knowledge gaps.
* Focus on Value and Relevance: Experts often assume their subject matter inherently holds value for the reader. However, explicitly demonstrating the significance and relevance of the topic is vital for capturing the reader's attention and investment.
* Clarity and Concision: Dense, jargon-filled writing might hinder comprehension. McEnerney emphasizes the importance of clear, concise, and engaging language that resonates with the audience.
* Persuasion and Action: Many types of writing, like grant proposals or policy papers, aim to influence the reader's behavior or decision-making. The writing should be structured and presented in a way that effectively persuades the reader to take the desired action.
Beyond the Basics:
McEnerney goes beyond technical writing skills and delves into the strategic aspects of effective communication. He advises experts to:
* Identify Power Dynamics: Recognizing who holds the power within their target audience allows experts to tailor their writing accordingly, addressing the needs and concerns of those who can influence the outcome.
* Strategic Use of Language: McEnerney suggests using "code language" strategically to subtly convey the complexity and potential challenges associated with their work, potentially increasing the perceived value of their expertise.
Conclusion:
"LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively" emphasizes the transformative power of shifting one's focus from internal clarity to audience-centered communication. By understanding the audience's needs, presenting information in a clear and relevant manner, and strategically employing language, experts can bridge the gap between their ideas and the world, increasing the impact and influence of their writing.
#webinar #leadership #writing
@ingliziya
YouTube
LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively
Do you worry about the effectiveness of your writing style? As emerging scholars, perfecting the craft of writing is an essential component of developing as graduate students, and yet resources for honing these skills are largely under utilized. Larry McEnerney…
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We're hosting a special LIVE event on our Telegram channel!
Join us to hear from THREE successful scholarship Recipients (2023-2025) of the JACAFA Scholarship program!
They'll share their stories and talk about what they've been up to since winning the program. It's going to be really interesting!
🗓 When: April 16th
🕒 Time: 21:00
📍 Where: @scholarship_mentorship
Make sure you don't miss it! Tell your friends and come join us for an inspiring chat! 🚀
#jacafa #webinar
@scholarship_mentorship