Writing as conversation

In popular writing, more than any other form we've written in for this class, I believe that writing should be treated as conversation. Why? Because in popular writing (writing meant for a large audience) you should be actively seeking to engage the other in a dialog of sorts. Granted, it is kind of a one-way street, since it you may never hear a response, but think about this: what are letters to the editor if not an engagement of the reader with your text as a conversation? You say something, your reader comes back with something else, something new.

So, with this in mind, you should be thinking of this piece, not as some assignment handed down from above for your teacher's eyes only, but as a chance to reach out and converse with as many people as you can on a topic you now know fairly well. What fun! Treat writing as a conversation.

Don't you hate it when you are talking with someone and they're clearly drifting off... you aren't engaging that person, so what do you do? Well, you spice it up, right? Add in some tidbit about someone you know in common, make a joke, provide an irresistible statistic or fact, shock the person with a powerful tale, make a compelling analogy. Do whatever it takes to get and hold your audience's attention. That's what treating writing as a conversation is about. Within the bounds of ethical reporting, engage and hold your reader's interest.

I think I might try to turn this into a "This I Believe" essay. I believe in writing as a social act! Writing is a conversation!