My mother taught legal research and writing at the University of Dayton Law School while my dad was stationed at Wright-Patt. As she explained to my eight-year-old self, when lawyers write things, they are helping the judge better understand the facts of the case, which will lead to a more just outcome or ruling. The judge can go back and refer to the writing as he/she is considering the case. Therefore, what a lawyer writes is of paramount importance, arguably more so than oral arguments or even the transcript of a trial, since a well-written document from a lawyer should be clear, concise, complete, unbiased, well-researched, and drama-free.
She was a Classics major, which gave her the ability to parse language in such a way that she could run circles around pretty much anyone in a debate.
Understanding and being able to use language effectively is a subtle and often overlooked skill. While my dad was a professor at AFA, he would bring her in to give guest lectures and conduct workshops on writing for his Aero major students. Although writing skills are particularly useful in those professions that rely heavily on interpretation and qualitative analysis, being an effective writer gives you an advantage is any situation.
Nailed it, John. Clear thinking and writing are essential in any profession, not to mention in everyday dealings with others. Busyness should not excuse fuzzy thinking or unclear writing.
While I have a B.A. in English, I have many other interests: e.g., I was john the only English major in my class on partial differential equations.
After a few decades in STEM publishing, I now work in data analysis for a very large trade publisher. Programming pays much better than editing, and, since I’m the only IT guy who has experience in the editorial and production sides of the business, I’m doing pretty well.
I’m not convinced that undergraduates need to have a major, but “multidisciplinary” degrees are not often rigorous.
My mother taught legal research and writing at the University of Dayton Law School while my dad was stationed at Wright-Patt. As she explained to my eight-year-old self, when lawyers write things, they are helping the judge better understand the facts of the case, which will lead to a more just outcome or ruling. The judge can go back and refer to the writing as he/she is considering the case. Therefore, what a lawyer writes is of paramount importance, arguably more so than oral arguments or even the transcript of a trial, since a well-written document from a lawyer should be clear, concise, complete, unbiased, well-researched, and drama-free.
She was a Classics major, which gave her the ability to parse language in such a way that she could run circles around pretty much anyone in a debate.
Understanding and being able to use language effectively is a subtle and often overlooked skill. While my dad was a professor at AFA, he would bring her in to give guest lectures and conduct workshops on writing for his Aero major students. Although writing skills are particularly useful in those professions that rely heavily on interpretation and qualitative analysis, being an effective writer gives you an advantage is any situation.
Who was it that said, “Give me the songs of a nation, I care not who writes its laws”? It came to mind as I was reading this.
Enjoyed this one, Professor.
Nailed it, John. Clear thinking and writing are essential in any profession, not to mention in everyday dealings with others. Busyness should not excuse fuzzy thinking or unclear writing.
While I have a B.A. in English, I have many other interests: e.g., I was john the only English major in my class on partial differential equations.
After a few decades in STEM publishing, I now work in data analysis for a very large trade publisher. Programming pays much better than editing, and, since I’m the only IT guy who has experience in the editorial and production sides of the business, I’m doing pretty well.
I’m not convinced that undergraduates need to have a major, but “multidisciplinary” degrees are not often rigorous.
How did “only” become “john”? Sheesh …