Good words about writing
At a time when conversation too frequently is reduced to monosyllabic grunts (“Yeah,” “Cool,” “Duh,” “K”) or text message slang (“omg,” “r u here?”), we take heart in Monday’s observation of I Love to Write Day at Dresden Elementary School.
As reported by The Democrat’s Tonya Fennell, the day is aimed at encouraging people across the nation to practice their writing skills by crafting a poem, essay or letter.
The Dresden students wrote persuasive essays about Batman, created journals and corresponded with pen pals.
Entrepreneur Sidney Harmon told Fast Company, a magazine and Web site that spotlights creative individuals, that writing is the most overlooked skill in the business world. In his book “Mind Your Own Business,” Harmon contends that writing “helps clarify one’s thinking. It improves all other means of communication by enhancing vocabulary and promoting the ability to formulate thoughts in coherent and creative ways.”
Local author Vicki Grove took part in Dresden’s event. She spoke to anyone who ever penned a love letter in saying, “You can tell someone something in writing that you might not be able to tell them otherwise.”
The link between reading and writing is well established, and those skills are the foundation for learning. Molefe Ralenala, South Africa’s director of children and youth literacy, wrote in 2008:
“The close connection between reading, writing, speaking and listening is well understood to incorporate all aspects of literate behavior. ... Reading allows us to make connections between our own and others’ experiences; to inquire systematically into matters; and to access, analyze and evaluate information and arguments.”
Dresden Elementary Principal Susan McNeal said the school plans to make I Love to Write Day an annual event. We would like to see other schools commit to take part in this day, to celebrate the power and effectiveness of the written word.
