Write To Know
Joan Didion famously said, “I don’t know what I think until I write it down.”
For many years, I taught writing and asked my students to write until they discovered something they did not know. The act of writing to know is what has driven humans for centuries as we seek to understand ourselves and our worlds.
To write to know is to engage in a pursuit of understanding, exploration, and discovery. It is an invitation to explore ideas, emotions, and experiences that stimulate insight and intellectual curiosity.
Writing to know requires an open mind, a willingness to ask questions, and a commitment to seeking clarity.
When writing to know, consider the following approaches:
Ask Questions: Start by identifying what you want to learn. Frame inquiry in a way that leads to deeper understanding.
Reflect on Experiences: Draw from personal or observed experiences. Reflecting on challenges faced in transitions can provide valuable lessons and insights, revealing the complexities of change and how to navigate them.
Use Clear Language: Articulate your thoughts and findings with clarity. Avoid jargon or overly complex terms that might obscure your message. Aim for precision and simplicity to enhance comprehension.
Research Thoroughly: Support your writing with credible information. Gather facts, evidence, and perspectives from diverse sources to enrich your understanding and provide a balanced viewpoint. Engaging with literature and case studies can illuminate key themes and patterns.
Summarize Insights: When you finish writing, distill your findings into key takeaways. This synthesis reinforces your understanding and makes your insights accessible to others.
Encourage Dialogue: Writing to know opens avenues for conversation and invites feedback. Sharing your perspective with others and hearing theirs generates additional questions that can broaden the discussion. Engaging with others can deepen your understanding and offer new insights.
By adopting these principles, writing to know becomes a reflective practice. It enhances both personal and professional growth, cultivating a deeper awareness of oneself and the environment in which we operate.
Interested in developing a writing practice? Contact me at https://www.debrahollowayphd.com/contact.