Getting Ideas on Paper

Writing is a very tricky form of expression, but it’s not. People over think writing, when it is simply getting one’s thoughts and ideas down on paper, or in this case on the internet. The problem is that authors try to sound intelligent by using sophisticated vocabulary terms. In reality, it is better to write clearly than to write with fancy words. Although it’s never a bad idea to use big terms if the author is comfortable with them and knows how to use them. It is when an author is not familiar with a term and uses it incorrectly that problems and confusion occur. When a piece of writing is written clearly and written in the correct voice, the piece of writing will have a strong statement.

A problem with some blogs is the voice in which they are written. Some blogs can be written informally, while others should be written formal. The blogging heads video “Is there still room for the Big Question in College” was too informal. There was no structure to the debate, which is similar to having no thesis. The presidential debates are for more organized because of the use of a third party mediator. This mediator creates a more clear and organized argument because one knows what the two people are debating about. The two people in the blogging heads video do not clearly state what they argue about. These informalities create a sense of false authority, almost as if the blog “lacks competence in the field under consideration”.

Formality is an important issue when writing in blogs; depending on the audience, one might write in a more casual tone. Concerning the “Big Question”, one should be more formal when discussing the topic of education because formal writing has a connection with education. When the tone is informal in brings a logical fallacy of false authority. For example, in the blog Two old farts talk out of their asses, the author writes “I'm starting to grow tired of listening to the self righteous ramblings of two pretentious professors. As a student, I don't like being talked about as a study subject. I'm a person. This is the problem with academia”. This is very informal and because of that, the point loses its credibility. It does not lose credibility just because it is informal because the sentence itself does not flow smoothly. The statement will not stick to the reader if sentences are too in cohesive. Also the vocabulary is technical and does not fit in the sentence. The idea is a good one, but the way it is phrased is not clear.

People need to become more clear and formal when they speak and create titles. When bloggers are not clear, holes develop in the argument. For example, titles that do not give a description, such as “Addictions and Sheep” do not serve their purpose. Although very creative, it would serve well as a novel title than a blog title. It sounds very interesting but lacks the information needed for the reader to know what the blog is about.

Clarity in writing leads to success. If the author makes a clear sentence, it is easier for the reader to understand. This gives the authors advantages over other
authors for several reasons. They can read the blog quicker without having to reread sentences; the readers understand the point of the blog and do not have to reread it. For example, in the blog Schools Need a Personal Touch, the author explains his opinion very clearly:

“One of Chapman’s key attributes is its size. Smaller schools will always have a more personal relationship between student and teacher. My classes are small enough to where people notice if you are missing class. I am able to visit any of my teachers during their office our five days a week and can email them any problem I might be having.”

With clarity such as that, the reader understands the point as the author transitions from one point to the next. The vocabulary is very simple which makes it easier to understand and thus create more of an impact on the reader.

Writers go through many phases in school and their careers. They switch writing styles and can write in multiple styles. Each topic may require a different voice, which is why it is important to be versatile in writing. When it comes to the topic of education, writing formally is always a good option. Being very clear and concise in ones writing is the easiest way to make a point. People learn rules of writing such as what to write and what not to write. One should not be bound to rules when expressing their opinion; as long as their statement is clearly written, there is no need for rules.