Nov 25, 2008
The best writing is not the same as the clearest writing.
No matter how you write, you will be misinterpreted; so focus on writing well and don’t fixate on avoiding all possible confusion.
(Inspiration: “You will be misunderstood.”)
* * * * *
Jesus was speaking, not writing, but he was certainly ambiguous at times and often misunderstood. If that’s true of inspired speech (or writing) how much truer is it of our best efforts?
I was trying to think of something to witty to say but i have nothing. Let it just be said that i agree.
“And most of the time, people won’t take the time to ask. They’ll just assume you’re an ignorant jerk and move on.”
yeah, this consistency and clarity thing is overrated. :]
no but seriously.
Ok, two things:
[1] While what Barry Wallace said is “true” (Jesus often spoke ambiguously), he misses the reason Jesus did so.
[2] I think Abraham’s point here is a great one if we understand that great writing seeks to do what it seeks to do — and not more than that, and not less. You know: trying to outflank anticipated critics is the work of hacks. Say what you mean to say, say it the way you intend to say it, have a little verve, and let the dead bury the dead.
Frank,
Just curious… how did I miss the reason Jesus spoke ambiguously? I’m quite clear on the fact that he did so intentionally. My object was simply to reinforce Abraham’s point–that even perfect, infallible speech or writing (which may include intentionally and purposefully ambiguous communication) may be misunderstood.
Perhaps I was just misunderstood.
Ain’t it the truth. Thanks for the encouragement…
True.
Are you saying I’m fat?
I suppose if the standard is “all possible” confusion, that’s undeniably true.
But if you take it down just a notch to “any reasonable confusion,” that’s a very attainable goal. I think if you’re a talented writer you can and should aspire to write well enough that no reasonably intelligent, reasonably open-minded, reasonably literate person can misunderstand the ideas and/or facts you’re trying to express.
I’ve spent eight years of my life writing full time and when people misunderstand what I write, I usually consider it a sign that I didn’t do a good enough job. If you’re a good enough writer, you can be concise, effective, and broadly understandable.
(This applies only to non-fiction writing, of course. Fiction is an entirely different matter)
I agree, Ben. I definitely put the blame mainly on myself when I’m misunderstood.
What tends to make writing dull, I think, is over-explaining to try to circumvent the need to answer any follow-up questions.
Well said. I face this issue consistently in sermon/teaching preparation. There are always potential ways to fall of the road on either side of every biblical truth. A good way to get nowhere is trying to address every possible question about your topic. It is best to focus your attention on the points you are trying to make and make them. Well. It takes discernment then to know which voices need to be addressed and which don’t.
Good question/statement. Surly it depends on your intention is in writing? If you aim to communicate something like “danger sharks” that must be understood without much difficulty, by the widest audience.
If you are wanting to express a contradictory feeling, then clarity wouldn’t necessarily make it better. I remember reading John Donne’s poems at school and being really impressed, not by his clarity but his ambiguity. That was great writing!
Also something can be clear to one audience and oblique to another. I remember seeing an interview with Tony Blair’s old speech writer. He said, that as society becomes more fragmented, it’s impossible to illustrate anything with a cultural reference that would be university understood. The result of this is that mass communication will lack some of the richness of a shared cultural understanding.
I would guess that the best writing is writing,is one that achieve the aims of the author.