The Unwriting Workshop

Everyone thinks he or she knows how to write. After all, they've been writing since first grade. And once they've written something, they don't want to spend time rereading and editing what they've written. This widespread attitude presents a challenge to communication specialists whose job is to help Extension workers communicate better by writing more clearly.

To meet the challenge, the Oregon State University Agricultural Communications faculty took a lighthearted approach and enlisted the aid of humorist Mark Twain, played by an impersonator. At last count, Extension workers in 22 states were using the resulting product-a 14-minute, how-to videotape and accompanying workbook. Some examples are identical in each, enabling viewers to see in print what Mark Twain shows on the videotape. This reinforces the points he makes.

Do participants like a video workshop? Can you teach writing that way? Is it effective to use a legend like Mark Twain whom everyone "knows?"

Although evaluations returned by people who have watched the video and completed the workbook aren't a scientific measure of viewer reaction, response has been favorable. Participants rated the videotape workshop on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning they strongly agree with a statement and 5 meaning they strongly disagree. Seventy-seven percent gave a 1 or 2 to the statement, "The videotape package is an acceptable substitute for a live performer." Seventy percent gave a 1 or 2 to the statement, "The workshop will make a difference in my writing." Sixty-seven percent gave a 1 or 2 to the statement, "Using a character like Mark Twain motivates me."

One spontaneous comment was, "This was a nice training tool and fun, too!" One viewer wrote that the video package not only was an acceptable substitute for a live presenter, but was "better than many." Another wrote, "I thought the Mark Twain approach was quite successful-much better than (a specialist) with the same material."

The lighthearted approach began with the title. We thought The Unwriting Workshop would tempt viewers more than something like Editing Your Writing. We chose Mark Twain as our presenter for two reasons: Mark Twain had much to say about good writing and Kirby Brumfield, a professional Mark Twain impersonator with television experience, was available and interested in our project.

We designed The Unwriting Workshop for writers and nonwriters, secretaries and administrators, students and academics. It can be used in a group setting, or by individuals alone.

Our intent was not to teach everything about good writing. Instead, we selected six simple rules to help people make their writing quicker to read and easier to understand. The rules apply to many kinds of writing-letters, reports, grant proposals, news stories, newsletters:

0. Use simple, everyday words when possible.
1. Write short sentences, varying the length.
2. Write short paragraphs, varying the length.
3. Don't use unnecessary words.
4. Avoid using verbs as nouns.
5. Change most passive verbs to active verbs.

The rules weren't new, but our approach was. Did it work? Returned evaluations suggest it did.