One inherent difficulty in writing is predicting what a reader will need. Frankly, both writer and reader come to a text with blind spots: with assumptions about the subject, presuppositions about word meanings, and so on. Somehow they must negotiate to a common understanding.
Picture two old pocket combs, both with bent or missing teeth in a random spots. Hold them up facing each other, and although many teeth connect from one comb to the other, the gaps represent spots of confusion. On the writer's comb, a gap is missing information - usually because the writer assumes the reader already knows it. On the reader's comb, a gap is inability to process information that's there, perhaps because of unfamiliar terminology.
Practiced writers grow progressively better at recognizing their own gaps and at predicting their readers'. But that practice comes from failure: from the blank look in a reader's eyes, or an e-mail response asking for clarification, or (unfortunately) from some important piece of business simply not taking place. The important thing is that they follow up on their writing and learn from these misunderstandings.
So don't let writing spook or frustrate you. Give each new writing task your best, recognizing that while your comb is missing some teeth, so is your reader's. To help fill in the gaps, take time to request a colleague's feedback on important pieces before they go public. Start a habit of rereading your outgoing e-mail before clicking "send." Practice communicating on blogs and message boards, where you can learn from other people's questions how well you've made your point.
Why not start by commenting below? How did this comb metaphor work for you?
- Lester Smith
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