On Learning to Write Well

The National Council of Teachers of English recently declared it time “to decenter reading and essay writing as the pinnacles of English arts education.” That is one more example of the sustained effort to “dumb down” America in the unachievable goal of equal results for all. In the name of “equity,” some states have done away with all math requirements for high school graduation, and school districts have banned teaching calculus and other advanced subjects. Many colleges have dropped reliance on objective tests and essays in the admissions process.

And now out of recognition that some students are more interested in reading than others or will prove less skilled in essay writing, these things must be deemphasized. The National Basketball Association remains just about the only meritocracy left in America.

It would be hard to imagine worse advice that could be given to any young person than to read less or work less hard at mastering the rules of grammar or orderly presentation of one’s thoughts so that they can be readily grasped by another. Book reading is simply the best way to learn, to expand one’s horizons — “there is no frigate like a book,” wrote Emily Dickinson — and to expose oneself to different points of view. Know how to read and develop a love of it, and you need never experience a moment of boredom.

Writing well is one of the most important life tools that one can acquire. (Yes, acquire; no one is born a naturally great writer.) Through writing well, one can reach many more people than one ever could through other means. It is the ultimate force multiplier.