...dumb it down...
By jeanneyvonne
@jeanneyvonne (5500)
Philippines
February 3, 2012 10:07am CST
As a writer, most of the time, I write more for other people rather than for my own pleasure. I still have some piece of work for personal consumption but I usually write for other people and whatever their whims may be. The problem with writing for other people is that they sometimes they don’t know what they want and I'm the one who ends up confused and frustrated.
Take this incident that happened to me. a client requested me to write a science-related articles and I agreed. I finished the set and sent it to the client - a simplified, ready -friendly version form a reference. I even added a touch of personality. The client gave me back the est, claiming that they are technical and asked me to ‘dumb it down’ so that the content will be easier to understand and I obliged, with no idea how could I still ‘dumb it down’. I changed everything into the simplest, most understandable that even a kid can read it without crating his head (I showed it to my a cousin and he said he understood what I wrote). Client finally approved and that is out of my hair.
My issue is this – how much should we ‘dumb it down’? Are we helping our audience or not? Or is this just a instance of simplifying everything every time? Or just plain mediocrity?
The floor is open for discussion.
2 people like this
6 responses
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
4 Feb 12
Its like the music Industry and videogame industry.
10 years ago video-games in consoles have a variety, as in lots of variety. But now majority of games are action shooters with Badass caucasian male protagonist. Before we have average joe protagonist, person of color and female protagonist.
Why this thing happen cos it seemed like people are not open minded to innovations , they were so attached to cliche's.
Music use to bge intelligent and now we have those crappy lyrics with profanity and foul language is the one that sells.
====
Many writers are not afraid to make niche and innovations because it seemed like formulas and cliche always sell.
But sometimes innovations and Niche do succeed. Its could be luck or it could be faith.
Maybe you can build your brand as a writer first, once you have the following thats the time to start taking risk.
@jeanneyvonne (5500)
• Philippines
4 Feb 12
I agree. Writers and other artists are often at the mercy of what their audience want more than on what they want to do. Although some pioneer efforts can succeed but many are shot down because it might not appeal to the mark let where the money is. Sad but true that commercialization can be a difficult pill to swallow.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Feb 12
I really dont know why the audience dont want to come out of their comfort zone and escape the mainstream generic cliche stuff shoved on their mouths. Its like they were brainwashed to like mediocrity.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
4 Feb 12
I hate this. After all we are told to improve our vocabulary and use the right words. If the client wanted it for grade school children she should have said so, but even with grade school children, you still have to tell them the Latin definition of the word, and what circumference means. The trouble is that there has been so much talk about making it simple, that many cannot even understand what people back n the previous 20th and 19th century could and I am referring not to the late 20th century but the beginning.
@jeanneyvonne (5500)
• Philippines
6 Feb 12
Well, we really can't go against the mainstream and what the client wants. But we try not to compromise as much as possible what we wanted - which is sharing of knowledge on its normal form. I can forgive 'dumbing it down' for an introduction or to make the topic interesting but anything else beyond that should not be mediocre.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
3 Feb 12
It depends on the audience you're writing for. If she wanted the article for children, then it has to be written very simply, or maybe she wanted it to fill a spot where people tended to skim through quickly.
I understand the frustration, but articles are used for a lot of different people and purposes.
@jeanneyvonne (5500)
• Philippines
4 Feb 12
I agree on your on the audience thing. However, since most of my writing is for general consumption (meaning general population) it is really necessary to simplify things so that the ordinary man can understand. The only thing I am against it is there is instances of oversimplification to the point of being mediocre at my part. I respect my audience and have many reservations for them but there are times when I feel that is should have given more rather than constrict them in a simplified piece. But perhaps, you are in citing you last statement (because it is true), a writer must be flexible for many audiences.
@sender621 (14889)
• United States
4 Feb 12
Satisfaction and fulfillment from creating a writing piece should come into the writer's heart before anyone else. that's where the dream and vision are created and born. if someone else can find the joy through your writing,then thaat should be an added bonus. Write for your own soul and the worth of what you create will mean so much more than just writing to please another's opinions.@jeanneyvonne (5500)
• Philippines
4 Feb 12
This is what keeps me going - the thought that somebody benefited from my writing and the thought that i helped somebody even without knowing it. But what i crave most is feedback, and I think every writer does. i want to have a picture of what actually my writing does to people, even to a little extent. A simple thanks or review can be enough to keep me going and ready for another writing task.
@ReViewMeMedia (3786)
• United States
15 Feb 12
I don't dumb down my writing for my reviews, I write honestly and I write what I feel that people will find helpful when they read my articles.
@tatzkie23 (770)
• Philippines
4 Feb 12
I'm sorry to hear that, but good thing your client approved! I bet you're a a very good writer, I mean you can still dumb it down into much dumber down. LOL. Well, i think that there are a lot of clients out there that are choosy. Or maybe he is dumber than dumb? LOL just kidding.
@jeanneyvonne (5500)
• Philippines
4 Feb 12
Well, i think i am good but not too good compared to others (ranking among artists is practicality non-existent). I cannot say anything explicit about my client since it is sort of the trust and confidentiality. I can only describe my situation.
