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Reading and Writing in the 21st Century



Any credible writing coach who attempts to teach others how to write will
sooner or later insist the best way to learn how to write is to. . . drum
roll please . .. .write. Writers write.



It sounds simple. Sometimes it is. The words just fly through the finger
tips onto the blank page or screen.



Other days, not so much. No fresh ideas are forthcoming. Or the ideas that
do appear seem truly stupid and worthless. Or they make the author of them
way too vulnerable and so never see the light of print. On days like that
writing is lonely and challenging work.



Plus, the print publishing world is undergoing a gigantic shift right now.
Few and far between are those who really know what the future holds. Some
predict the worlds of printed magazines, newspaper, and books are coming to
a close. These may go the way of the clay tablets or parchment scrolls. They
will become rare items housed in private collections and public museums. Oh
how I fervently hope those who predict such things are wrong.



We can't deny the advent of the internet has certainly impacted the way we
get our information and amuse ourselves. With such dire predictions about
the future of the printed word it's tempting to give up writing all
together. Or switch from writing that slowly develops a plot and characters
to the fast-moving world of headline texting with made up shorthand words.



I recently read about a teacher who makes students rewrite any papers handed
in using less than standard approved English words that appear in
dictionaries. I read this in a print newspaper. I suppose some will take
this teacher to task for being so old-fashioned. I for one hope the teacher
is able to hold students to that standard.



The development of human language fascinates me. I like researching the
origin of words and phrases. I realize language is fluid and does change
from generation to generation. Shakespeare is still read and his plays are
still produced in theatres around the world. The classics last and last.
However, it's a tad difficult to read them without some help translating the
meaning of those ancient words.



It is such a privilege to have the skill to both read and write. It is a
privilege denied many. It seems to me those of us who have had the good
fortune to be born into families and communities where teaching such skills
was important have an obligation. I believe we have an obligation to use the
words carefully. We ought to use this incredible ability to encourage,
inspire, educate and help them others.



We ought to refrain from using the written word to abuse, deceive, mislead,
or assault others.



Words are powerful. May those of us who have the ability to write and read
them use them wisely.



Posted by Kathy Haueisen Cashen at 6/10/2010 5:38 PM
Categories: uncategorized
 

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