Making the Case for a Mandatory Business Writing Workshop

The Power of Precise Language

"The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." Author and humorist Mark Twain knew the importance of good communication. In fact, he built his entire career around the written and spoken word, using language to his advantage to create timeless novels like Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. However, Samuel Clemens wasn't only concerned with entertaining audiences through clever coming-of-age tales; Twain was also a brilliant social commentator who left much of his literary legacy through insightful, often sarcastic statements such as this one. His mastery of the right word made Mark Twain one of the most celebrated and admired American communicators of all time.

How a Poorly Written Memo Hurt Office Morale

The difference between the right word and almost the right word was recently brought to our company's attention during the controversy surrounding a circulating memo. A few misplaced words essentially changed lightning to lightning bug, and as a result, morale in the office has been remarkably low — low enough to warrant serious attention. Discussions in the staff lounge are less vibrant than usual; chatter at the water cooler is subdued; and coworkers seem reluctant to go out for drinks after work. If the atmosphere in our office continues to be so murky, we run the very real risk of losing business. After all, we all know that high morale leads to high productivity, and low morale leads to shrinking profits.

The Case for a Company-Wide Writing Workshop

All these problems could have been avoided had our employees recognized the difference between the right word and almost the right word. One of the most reasonable and practical solutions to this issue would be to require all employees to improve their writing and communication skills through an intensive but enjoyable writing workshop. It won't be necessary to hire a staff writer or a communications consultant, or to ensure that all memos be worthy of publication in The New Yorker. If the employees in this company could write that well, they would probably be in the running for a Pulitzer Prize or working on their third novel from a beach somewhere instead of spending fifty hours a week at their desks.

We are not a publishing house; therefore, a straightforward and simple solution would be to require each employee to improve their basic business communication skills. Such a task is not daunting and would only require a few days or weeks. Moreover, because no individual employee is solely responsible for composing all office communications, any one of us may be called upon to write the next memo or letter. It would therefore be wise if each employee could produce clear, effective communications. Even if we did decide to hire a specialist in business communications, it would still be advisable to have a fully literate staff in order to avoid the problems described above.

Grunts and groans related to grammar anxiety will undoubtedly be heard in the staff rooms, as few non-writers genuinely enjoy the precise, rule-bound nature of the English language. However, we all must adhere to those rules, like it or not. Part of the writing workshop will include a review of fundamental grammar — misplaced modifiers, split infinitives, and other building blocks of the English language. Without a firm grasp of these basics, we run the very real risk of losing clients and coworkers alike. Imagine if the memo that was recently circulated had been a letter to a client.

Moreover, most of us have probably forgotten much of what we learned in grade school and could benefit from a quick overview of the basics. Many of us will also be glad to receive instruction from someone other than a fifth-grade teacher. Workshop instructors will be highly qualified, typically holding master's degrees or higher and bringing years of experience helping people improve their communication skills. Given the recent controversy, the company's employees will in fact be receptive to the material.

Conclusion: Communication Is the Essence of Business

Miscommunications can mean missed office meetings, missed deadlines, and missed profits. Therefore, it would be in the company's best interest to provide, free of charge to all employees, a mandatory yet enjoyable writing workshop. The workshop will stimulate company morale, inspire creative self-expression, and encourage honesty and clarity in all communications. Good writing does not have to be fancy. It does not have to be newspaper-caliber or Twain-like in brilliance. However, it does have to be intelligent and clear. Too often, writers try to use complex words to impress. Effective communication is simple, direct, and straightforward. The company's interests and reputation are at stake — for communication is the essence of business.