Writing: Ideas

Connecting Your Ideas

 

            Today's Snack: Take a handful of pretzels and a handful of grapes. Place the grapes all around on a plate. Then "connect" each grape with a pretzel. Look at all the connections you made, and then eat your connections with a tall glass of milk.

 

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Supplies:

Piece of lined paper and pencil

Photocopy the eight tips, below, and distribute,

or project on a big screen

 

 

Coming up with an idea for your writing is only the start of your communication task. That idea has to be connected to other ideas to make it useful and meaningful. To "connect," an idea has to fit in - follow the train of thought - make sense.

 

Nobody will read what you write for very long if it doesn't make sense. The best writing reveals the writer's opinions, views and emotions, and presents them clearly and logically.

 

To make a point, you have to know what that point is . . . and lead the reader to it. You need to use "logic" - a process of discovering and communicating meaning.

 

            Imagine that the reader is a beautiful, strong horse. You are the rider. With logical writing that has a clear purpose, reliable examples and reasonable conclusions, it's as if you are putting a bridle and saddle on that horse. With good writing, you can guide your reader, just like a rider guides a horse. And off you go, on your way!

 

            Here's how a logical thinker writes well:

 

1.      Decide on a purpose and state it clearly.

 

2.      Gather information, neither too much nor too little.

 

3.      Focus on a core point or issue that you can prove.

 

4.      Define terms and clear up confusion.

 

5.      Support the core point with evidence and examples.

 

6.      Anticipate, consider and refute any objections.

 

7.      Admit your point's weaknesses, but tell how it's still superior to other points of view.

 

8.      Urge the reader to agree with you and act on it.