RE: Writing in the workplace (long)

[jwerchan@lima.ohio-state.edu (James E. Werchan)]

hi folks,

Hm.... I'm riffing here, brainstorming on a 4c proposal that i don't yet
have a grip on, but it seems to have some echoes with this workplace
issue.........

OK... try this; (I'll telegraph it in small takes, sort of quasi-syllogistic)

1.  A theme that I'm trying to tinker with in my 4c doohicky is "visibility".
2.  "visibility" is obviously a metaphoric quality to this workplace issue,
involving more than physical sight.
3.  I've often glibly opined to students that good writing is "invisible",
i.e. it has such clear and compelling content that a reader would not have
cause to even notice surface features.
4. now i wonder: (a.) whose sense of "vision" are we concerned about?  and
(b.) what does that sense of "vision" _Really_ get used for?  

First, in the workplace where communication flows smoothly within and among
the levels of the hierarchy, the more pragmatic readers are concerned about
content first, and real work gets done via writing.  And I'll betcha it
works this smoothly because attitudes of camaraderie, common purpose, shared
ownership  tend to create forbearance, graciousness, and receptiveness, not
to mention willingness to read between the lines.  So gracious readers have
better "vision", i.e. ability to glean the valuable stuff from among the
"noise".  (OK, I'm mixing my metaphors; so shoot me.)     

So far, so good.... But then, when the relationship between writer and
reader (rhetor and rhetee?) is compounded/complicated by differences in
status (maybe with an adversarial spin?), then those with more status
probably will use anything, including worn-out shibboleths and stereotypes
about "proper" formalities of expression, to perpetuate the status
differential.  Suddenly, they develop Superman's x-ray "vision" and find
obscure nits to pick, because thinking about nits is easier than thinking
about the ideas of people you don't respect.  Then the writer as person or
as worker becomes invisible to the big-shot, muckety-muck readers.
Finally, "vision" takes on a bitterly ironic meaning.  "Vision" becomes
selective.  

Whose problem is it? Who's responsible for the "visibility" or
"invisibility" of workplace writing?  And who's responsible for "teaching"?
In congenial discourse communities, people naturally acquire fluency via
what Stephen Krashen called 'meaningful input.'
......................................


 Oh hell; I'm back from the bathroom, and I've lost my train of thought.
Can anybody tell me what the hell I was getting at?   

james
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                    Dr. James Werchan
(or maybe it's just someone who kinda looks a lot like him)
              Ohio State University at Lima
                    4240 Campus Drive
                     Reed Hall #135
                     Lima, OH 45804
                      419-995-8882
				
                    werchan.1@osu.edu	
								
  Come and visit: "http://www.lima.ohio-state.edu/~wacc"    
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