What sorts of things should a writer consider before putting 'pen to paper'?

Distinctions between Writing and Speaking

 Speaking and writing serve different purposes. We usually do not duplicate in writing what we communicate orally, and vice versa. Throughout history, a mystique has often surrounded the written word, perhaps because of a perception that writers are privileged or talented.

The spoken word has been less revered. You may or may not agree with the analogy that the writer William Safire draws, ‘The spoken language does not have the same standard as the written language, the tune you whistle is not the orchestra’s score’.

Most writing is slower than most talking. We can speak at 150 words per minute, listen at 2.50 words per minute, read at 360 words per minute, but type at only about 60 words per minute. And of course it is highly likely that what we type will need to be revised, so the writing process takes even longer.

When we write, the reader is seldom present; when we talk, the listener is usually present (in time , at least, if not in location). When we speak, our words are accompanied and assisted by the tone, pitch, volume, rate, and rhythm of our voice. We emphasise and punctuate with our gestures, our eyes, and our facial expressions.

When we write, we have no assistance from these physical cues, we have only our words and how we present them.

Why are your writing?

 Consider the following reasons why people write. A you read through the list, think about why you write.

I write…

• ·      To express myself
• ·      To find out what I know, to create knowledge
• ·      To articulate and develop ideas
• ·      To thin, to help ‘firm up’ my thinking
• ·      To understand, to gain insight, to sort things out
• ·      To help me remember
• ·      To communicate
• ·      To convey information
• ·      To persuade
• ·      To praise, to thank, to recommend
• ·      To defend myself, to support a position
• ·      To develop, maintain, or enhance a relationship
• ·      To stimulate, to motivate
• ·      To record, to make official, to make legal
• ·      To get published
• ·      To identify my competence
• ·      To effect action, produce a response, implement, get things done

Now go back and carefully reconsider any answers that you did not select. You will probably find that most of the answers do apply to you. Consider, also, whether all of these answers could be subsumed under the statement: I write to solve a problem.

By identifying what you are writing and how you will write it correctly, your writing can dramatically improve from the beginning, helping to focus your piece and therefore achieve you original goal of the text.

Reference:

Putnis, Peter and Petelin, Roslyn, 1996, Professional Communication: Principles and Applications, Prentice Hall