The importance of composition

Some students quibble with me about the weight I give “composition skills.”  This usually happens at the end of the semester when I grade the team design reports.

Composition is more than just spelling or grammar.  These days, a computer can handle most if not all spelling and grammar concerns.  All it takes on the student’s part is the presence of mind to actually use the available tools.  If a computer can do it, it can’t really be that hard.  Composition, on the other hand, is always hard.  It’s the “art” of constructing a concise, precise sentence that communicates clearly.  Poor composition skills mean either a lack in one’s education, or a lack of clarity in thinking.  There’s a famous quotation: “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”  Whether Mark Twain or Blaise Pascal penned it, it’s a good one.  The point is this: it takes time and effort to compose good prose, and the benefits of good prose are significant.  Not only does it let you get your point across accurately and convincingly, it also demonstrates to others that you have expertise in an area and respect for your audience.

Case in point: in October 2014, I participated in a meeting of the International Standards Organization, which is setting up standards on biomimetics.  There were various sessions focussed on different areas of the field, some of which I have some expertise, and others in which I don’t.  During one of the sessions in which I did NOT have expertise, the work involved resolving problems with the text of a working document.  Notwithstanding my nearly total lack of knowledge of the topic, I was about to contribute significantly to the work, simply because I know about english composition.  Indeed, a number of other participants thanked me afterwards for my contributions, saying that the document was that much stronger and better for my efforts.

Let me say it again, just to be clear: even though I had no idea what the subject matter was, I was still able to help improve the document because I know about english composition.  That’s how important composition skills are.