English

A LESSON from the first few pages of our textbook: Here is a very tough thing to hear: most employers have one major criticism when it comes to current college graduates. Their biggest concern about the current crop of job-seeking college graduates is they have very little skill when is comes to communicating. In fact, according to our textbook, a recent survey finds that most employers claim less than half of recent college graduates have even "proficient" communication skills. What's really sad is the word "proficient" usually implies decent, passable, average, OK, or meh. That's what "proficient" means to most. Remember that when you want to add "proficient computer skills" to your resume. What you are telling the reader is your skills are just average! 

Basically, what these business leaders are saying is this: YOU don't talk well, you don't write well, you struggle to make yourself understood, your ideas might be impressive (YOU might be impressive) but if you cannot COMMUNICATE this to others, they don't want you. Told you it was harsh. 

Why do so many recent college graduates struggle to communicate effectively? Blame who and what you want: cell phones, social media, lack of social skills, current social climate, busy schedules, too much time devoted to playing VIDEO games. The point is clear: the lack of communications skills, no matter what the medium  (writing, speaking, visual, non-verbal)  is lacking. We will discuss who and what to blame later in the quarter. Perhaps, we should just blame ourselves?

There are a couple of key sections and concepts I want you to focus on when reading Chapter 1:

- Audience: page 6 offers some insight into the importance of keeping your audience in mind and the role an audience plays in the public speaking/ communication process. Page 21 also discusses audience. Specifically, the concept of being aware of an audiences' cultural diversity. Modern businesses have a global reach; therefore, it is vital you understand the power of a diverse audience when speaking to any group. Our own class is very diverse, so effective communication must always be aware of the audience and the individuals that constitute any listening group.

 - Critical Thinking: the standard definition of this INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT LIFE SKILL is written clearly on page 22: "Critical thinking refers to the analysis and evaluation of ideas based on reliability, truth, and accuracy."

OK, so what does this mean? Can you "think critically" and interpret what this concept means to you?  When you SEE something happen, can you analyze WHY it happened? When you HEAR something, can you explain exactly WHAT was said? When you READ something, can you UNDERSTAND the meaning behind the writer's words and ideas?

Your ability to analyze and interpret any form of communication effectively  (a speech, a movie, a conversation, an email, a business memo, etc.) is one of the most important skills as you strive to excel in the business realm. 

Think about it like this: in an office, a retail setting, a management position, your ability to communicate with others will be enhanced when you can interpret the MEANING of things that occur. 

Every assignment given this quarter will ask you to analyze and interpret various situations. I want you to practice your critical thinking skills in this class. This is why I limit the use of research in my classes. I don't want to know what others (experts) think; I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!

Let's WRITE and COMMUNICATE with an audience.

I can hear many of you now - I hate writing; I am no good at writing; I struggle with writing. Why do you think you have this attitude about writing? Because you have had issues in the past? It is now time to do better using a couple of key ideas explored in this chapter.  Let's focus on the present and what you are going to do moving forward to improve your written communication skills.

Chapter 12 says very plainly the key to effective written communication boils down to one thing: CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORDS! Consider this quote from one of the greatest writers in the history of the English language:

"Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words."- Mark Twain

So what is Mark Twain communicating to us about the writing process?  YOU  control the words you put down on paper. Even after the words are written, you have control - you have the power to eliminate the unnecessary words. You CHOOSE what words to use when you write. At this point in your academic career the words you need to communicate in any written from are already in your mind. Choose the words that will help the reader understand exactly what you are trying to say. Write these words. If you can do that, your writing will be effective and your message will be clear.

There are TWO very important concepts explored in this chapter.

1. Using CONCRETE WORDS (pg. 296) in any written document will help you explain your ideas to the reader. This is what I like to call  BE RELENTLESSLY CLEAR .

Some of you said this: "I struggle with grammar." This is NOT using CONCRETE WORDS. This is a vague, unclear phrase to indicate a writing issue. Consider this alternate method: "I struggle with apostrophes, specifically creating plural possessive words." See the difference? Some of you said this: " I struggle with sentence structure." Again, this is not clear because the words are not specific or concrete. However, if you had said this: "I have a hard time understanding how to avoid fragments and comma-splices in my writing," the reader or listener will have a better understanding of what you mean.

Avoid using VAGUE or UNCLEAR words and phrases! This idea is also listed on the "Rules to Writing" handout and lecture notes. Be RELENTLESSLY CLEAR. These words are common vague terms many writers overuse: it, a lot, very, really, got, some, a few, many, thing, good, bad. Can you use these words? Sure. But be certain the reader is clear about what you are trying to communicate when you use these words.  

2. Using CONCISE LANGUAGE (pg. 299) is another important idea the chapter discusses. What does it mean to be concise? It does not mean being blunt or abrupt. It does not mean leaving out important details, examples, and ideas. It means leaving out or eliminating ALL UNIMPORTANT WORDS. What are unimportant words, phrases, ideas, or examples? Any word that does not move your writing forward is unnecessary baggage. I have already stressed to you the importance of ELIMINATING WORDINESS from your writing. Using concise language (and eliminating wordiness) will help you avoid confusion in your writing and aid in your ability to effectively communicate with readers and listeners.

In this class, you are NOT required to write a certain number of pages.  You are forbidden to count words . I don't care how much or how little you write. I DO care about the words you CHOOSE to use and how you CHOOSE to use these words. The bottom line is this: if you use concrete words and concise language, you will be able to use FEWER WORDS and still  effectively communicate your ideas to any audience.