LEADERSHIP LAB: Writing Beyond the Academy 1.23.15

Larry McEnerney, head of the writing program at the University of Chicago, discusses why intelligent individuals struggle with effective writing. He argues that traditional text-based writing advice is often misguided and that academic writing habits, which prioritize demonstrating knowledge to instructors, hinder the ability to create valuable content for real-world readers. McEnerney emphasizes that effective writing should focus on changing the reader's perspective and providing value by addressing their needs and interests, rather than simply showcasing the writer's understanding. He uses examples from Roger Meyerson's work to illustrate how to create value for readers by understanding their perspectives and tailoring the writing to their needs, and he also touches on the importance of understanding what readers value, such as entertainment or a sense of urgency. He suggests that writers should focus on the reader's cognitive process and avoid interfering with it, and he offers practical advice, such as focusing on sentence subjects to engage the reader.