Clarity Chapter Rules for Writer's Week 11

I have chosen the chapter on Clarity, particularly emphasizing on untangle mixed constructions, which I need to focus on so I thought it was fitting.
I have at many times myself read emails or letters from someone that was too wordy, lacked focus, and left me confused. So, how do you compose a writing that someone actually wants to read? I understand this is crucial to getting my message across no matter what I am writing about. Clear and concise writing is vital to having words read and understood; I seem to spend a lot of time over worded thoughts.
Diana Hacker suggests, to spend some time thinking about what you are going to write, which too often I think this is overshadowed by my concern with content and I fail to express myself clearly which in return my content doesn’t even get read.
Hacker suggested pretending that you are writing for someone else that way you don’t worry about your own performance, what a great concept one I would like to hang on to and store for future use. Hacker goes on to say, that you can then focus on the performance of your words in terms of the audience who will read it rather than you as your own audience. This seems liberating to me, possibly in developing a better relationship with my writing so that I am the director of my own words, sentences, paragraphs, punctuations. Hacker mentions that carefully directed words create clarity! (94)
I slowly am getting the techniques and developing the skills of writing, although in the particular area of clarity I seem to still struggle. I am not ever sure I think clearly, so how will I be able to untangle enough to write with clarity, it all seems like a new transition. I seem to try to write more intelligently and attractively than I need to or so this is a hint that Hacker suggests is common in writers. Possibly it comes across as trying too hard and it isn’t attractive writing this way. I can see how it is more important to be clear and inviting to my readers to write with clarity rather than try to impress with language or clever ways that end up diminishing the message. So, my first lesson of this chapter is learning to inform my readers, rather than impress them. Ultimately, I stand a better chance impressing my readers with expressed points that are clear.
I usually have a general idea of what I want to say, but apparently I am not very good at capturing it in one short sentence. I seem to touch my topic with different angles and all the bits of information that I think is relevant instead of being clear about my message, which is a common mistake Hacker points out in this chapter. Thinking back about this, a lot of the time my comments are that my writing is usually readable and professional sounding, but my readers come away thinking that they understood the gist of my intent but that they can’t really say what the point was exactly. Hacker says, this is because I never really knew what it was either.
I think this may be a possibility of too many distractions; I need to find a space to clear my mind so that my writing is precise. My focus a lot of the time is eradicated, which I will now start finding space to myself for my writing without outside influences.
Also Hacker suggests developing a clear mental state for writing, by reading broadly; searching for the right words instead of intelligent sounding words, and this will provide a much more natural feel with clear fluid writing. As well as exposing myself to new ideas and perspectives which she goes onto state this opens you up to think more critically in general and enables you to concentrate on the subjects on which I am writing about.
My key ideas I will take with me from this chapter are: clearing my writing space, block off time for writing, and eliminate distractions for starters. Next, I will take time to think about my subject thoroughly and then write out in one or two short sentences the main idea I am trying to get across. Consider my purpose of the writing and my expected outcome. This will serve as a guide for structure in my writing that I can refer back to, Hacker states.
Instead of reaching for soaring words and phrases I can just write as normal people speak; of course Hacker suggests adjusting for the difference between spoken words and written words.
I also realize that a summary or thesis statement is like a company’s mission statement, it is the clear direction of whatever I am writing about. My headline acts as my guiding force for my entire piece of writing. Once I have this, as my reference point I can then begin to write with more clarity and purpose.