Mastering Style: The Learning and Teaching of Writing

Transcript

SAMUEL MOULTON: Welcome, everybody. Can you hear me? Great. Well, on behalf of the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching, HILT, and the Harvard Writers at Work lecture series, it is my pleasure and honor to welcome you to today's event. My name is Sam Moulton, and I'm HILT's director of educational research and assessment. We have two except... Read More

Summary

This video features a lecture by Steve Pinker and Jill Abramson on the topic of writing. They discuss why writing is important, the challenges writers face, and how to improve the craft of writing. They touch on topics such as the curse of knowledge, the importance of clarity, and the use of examples to support arguments.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is so much writing bad and what can we do to make it better?

There are several theories as to why writing is often bad. One popular theory is that bad writing is a deliberate choice made by bureaucrats and pseudo-intellectuals. However, this theory doesn't explain why good people and experts in their fields can still write poorly. Another theory is that digital media and the internet are ruining the language, making people think in short, shallow phrases. But bad writing has been a problem in every generation, long before the digital age. Another explanation comes from the curse of knowledge, which is the difficulty writers have in understanding what readers don't know. This leads to a lack of clarity and the use of jargon and abstract concepts. To improve writing, it is suggested to bring in the science and scholarship of language, use examples and concrete details, and avoid cliches and technical language. The key is to focus on clarity and making the reader's experience as natural and clear as possible.

Q: How can we improve the craft of writing?

One way to improve writing is to adopt the model of classic style, which treats prose as a window onto the world. The goal is to help the reader see objective reality and make the style conversational. This means avoiding philosophical musings and focusing on the subject itself. Another way to improve writing is to minimize apologizing and hedging, which only muddies the text. Writers should trust that readers understand that some concepts are hard to define and controversies are hard to resolve. Classic prose also avoids cliches, which can be distracting and confuse the reader. Writers should focus on clear, concrete language that allows the reader to see the world through their words. Additionally, writers should be aware of the curse of knowledge and try to see their writing from the perspective of the reader. This can be done by getting feedback from real readers or waiting enough time to read the draft with fresh eyes.

Q: How does journalism play a role in writing?

Journalism is an important medium for conveying information and knowledge to readers. Good journalism should prioritize clarity and elegance of style, using examples to support statements rather than simply telling the reader. It should honor the intelligence of readers without assuming a high degree of technical knowledge. However, there are trends in journalism that can hinder good writing, such as the Twitter effect, which prioritizes brevity over depth. Another trend is the lack of a finite word limit in digital publishing, which can lead to repetition and unnecessary verbiage. Journalists should strive for clarity and avoid repetitive phrases or unnecessary jargon that obscures the message. At the same time, journalism should adapt to the digital age while preserving the qualities of clear and elegant writing.

Q: How has technology affected writing?

Technology has had both positive and negative effects on writing. On one hand, digital media and the internet have made information more accessible and allowed for the dissemination of knowledge on a global scale. It has also provided new platforms for storytelling and creative expression. On the other hand, there is a risk of oversimplification and brevity in writing due to the constraints of social media and digital platforms. There is a need to balance the benefits of technology with the importance of clarity and depth in writing. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for writers to adapt and find ways to effectively communicate their message while maintaining the integrity of good writing.

Q: What is classic style and how can it improve writing?

Classic style is a model of effective prose communication. It treats writing as a window onto the world, aiming to help the reader see objective reality. The writer positions the reader to see what they have seen, using language that is conversational and equalizing. It focuses on clarity and avoids philosophical musings or abstract concepts. Classic style also minimizes apologetic language and hedging, as well as cliches and technical language. By adopting classic style, writers can improve the craft of writing by making it clear, concrete, and accessible to the reader.

Q: How does the curse of knowledge impact writing?

The curse of knowledge refers to the difficulty writers have in understanding what readers don't know. It is the tendency to assume that the reader has the same knowledge and understanding as the writer. This leads to a lack of clarity and the use of jargon and abstract concepts that are not accessible to the reader. To overcome the curse of knowledge, writers can seek feedback from real readers or wait enough time to read their own drafts with fresh eyes. By being aware of this tendency, writers can make their writing clearer and more understandable to a wide range of readers.

Q: How can clarity be achieved in writing?

Clarity in writing can be achieved by adopting classic style and focusing on making the prose a window onto the world. Writers should aim to be clear and straightforward in their communication, avoiding convoluted language and unnecessary abstractions. They should use examples and concrete details to support their arguments, allowing the reader to visualize and understand the subject matter. Clarity can also be achieved by minimizing apologizing and hedging, as well as avoiding cliches and technical language. Ultimately, the goal is to make the reader's experience as natural and clear as possible.

Q: How does the shift to digital publishing affect writing?

The shift to digital publishing has both positive and negative effects on writing. On one hand, it allows for greater accessibility and reach, as well as the ability to include multimedia elements in writing. It also opens up new opportunities for creativity and storytelling. On the other hand, there is a risk of repetition and lack of concise writing due to the absence of finite word limits. Writers need to be mindful of these challenges and strive for clarity and conciseness in their writing, while utilizing the benefits of digital platforms to enhance the reader's experience.

Q: What is the role of journalists in writing?

Journalists play a crucial role in writing by conveying information and knowledge to readers. Good journalism prioritizes clarity and elegance of style, using examples to support statements and showing rather than telling. Journalists should honor the intelligence of their readers and avoid condescension or assuming a high degree of technical knowledge. They should also be careful to avoid jargon and repetition in their writing to maintain clarity. Journalism should adapt to the digital age while preserving the qualities of clear and effective writing.

Q: How can writers overcome the curse of knowledge?

To overcome the curse of knowledge, writers can seek feedback from real readers or wait enough time to read their own drafts with fresh eyes. By doing so, writers can gain a better understanding of what readers may not know and make their writing clearer and more accessible. It is important for writers to remember that not all readers have the same level of knowledge and context, and to strive for clarity and understanding in their writing.

Q: How can technology both help and hinder writing?

Technology has both positive and negative effects on writing. On one hand, it has made information more accessible and allowed for the dissemination of knowledge on a global scale. It has also provided new platforms for storytelling and creative expression. On the other hand, there is a risk of oversimplification and brevity in writing due to the constraints of social media and digital platforms. It is important for writers to find a balance between utilizing the benefits of technology and maintaining the integrity of good writing.