Americans are constantly reminded how bad we are at math. The Institute of Education Sciences frequently ranks American students in the lower echelons of G8 countries in mathematics literacy. This deficiency is a pertinent issue and must be addressed, but intensely focusing on improving math skills allows parents and educators to ignore another important skill: writing.
The Nation’s Report Card is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, which gauges students’ educational progress. In the most recent findings, 82 percent of students performed at a basic achievement level, the lowest acceptable level, in mathematics as well as writing. These studies imply that we are just as bad at writing as math, and this must be addressed. Clear and effective writing skills are of the utmost importance in any profession and for society. Unfortunately, writing is often marginalized and does not receive the educational or social recognition it deserves.
College students write a lot. We text, Tweet, chat, blog, write on walls and then comment on the Tweets, blogs and wall postings. These mediums are informal and should stay that way. But because we write so much, it is easy to blur the line between formal and informal writing. The difference between writing a formal e-mail or paper and blogging or Tweeting is essentially the difference between writing and talking. An easy way to get embarrassed is to e-mail a professor the same way you would write on somebody’s wall. Because we do so much more casual writing, the value of formal writing suffers.
A changing conception of “the writer” devalues the skill of writing. With evolving communications technology, many people are beginning to regard the writer as one who sits in front of his computer self-indulgently and pointlessly blogging about the size of his clothes or his hackneyed opinion of health care reform.
While this is certainly one type of writer, it is restrictive and ignores the utility of good writers. Charles Dickens, for example, created memorable characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist. Dickens also used his mastery of the English language as a journalist and helped reform labor conditions in England. Similarly, Victor Hugo used novels such as “Les Miserables” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to advocate convict rights, and he was influential in human rights campaigns that led several European countries to abolish the death penalty. Effective writing skills can be used to send a message, regardless of the genre.
Writing is not just an artistic endeavor; it is a necessary skill for professional success. The College Board recently sponsored a study that surveyed major businesses on the importance of writing, and the results are telling. According to the study, roughly 70 percent of salaried positions among responding corporations involve some responsibility for writing. These jobs extend to industries that are not typically associated with writing, such as finance, real estate and manufacturing. In most cases, writing ability could be your ticket in, or it could be your ticket out. Writing skills are fundamental in business, and writing that is not careful can be a signal of unclear thinking. It is not a coincidence that America’s revered thinkers, such as Lincoln and Einstein, were excellent writers.
Math is important, but one cannot forget about the value of good writing personally, socially and professionally.
Luippold is a government and journalism junior.
