Chapter 1: WRITING FOR EVERYONE

Writers

In school we are encouraged to use big words and complex structures. Clear writing involves neither.

As writers, we may feel a sense of frustration at having to adopt a new style.

• We may be afraid that our peers may think that we can no longer write as we used to.
• We may resent our readers for our having to change.
• We may ask, “Why can our readers not understand what seems obvious to us?”

Readers and their needs are why we write. Without our readers, we have no reason to write and no work.

Feeling negative about the readers’ need to know just makes our job harder, and the end product less effective. Information overload and a wide range of reading levels are a reality of our time, not someone’s fault.

Everyone today is rushed and stressed.

By writing for everyone, we must learn a more precise way of thinking and a more rigorous style of planning and editing. We must find language, structure and design to include all readers. Our skills as writers and thinkers are being honed and improved by the process.

We can be proud to be able to write clearly – for everyone.