Today’s Provocative Question, Fandango asks:
In the context of blogging and writing, what do you think is more important: what you say or how you say it?
How we say it.
Because, even if we come out with the most brilliant piece of wisdom, if it gets misunderstood by readers, then that wisdom is lost.
I had to add a filter, especially when I started blogging, and especially in the area of humour (which different users will interpret differently), because I was aware that something I wrote, which I might think incredibly witty, might get misinterpreted as an insult. Most times I succeeded in applying that filter, a few times I didn’t. As I’ve gotten to know people a bit, I’ve dropped my guard a little bit, but it is still something I need to be aware of.
For example, not long ago I made a comment on somebody’s COVID-related post (so straight away, a serious subject). I thought my comment – about which sites I use to gather data – was innocuous, totally uncontentious. And yet the blogger responded, really coming down my throat. So something I had written had obviously pushed their buttons. It just goes to show how easily we can be misinterpreted.
Mister Bump 
I believe that the content is always more important. Of course it’s also important how you say it. 🙂
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It is a limitation of the written word that it is more open to interpretation than the spoken!🙂
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I guess I agree, although I hadn’t really thought of that before. There are usually more opportunities for clarification when things are spoken.
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True, plus we use a lot of non verbal communication which is difficult to get across in writing.🙂
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Absolutely right Pete!
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I have a problem with this. But it is my blog and if someone is irritated by it, then don’t read it!
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yes, that is the ultimate choice. I tend to think, though, that if people are going to get upset ove something, then at least let it be real rather than perceived.
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“Because, even if we come out with the most brilliant piece of wisdom, if it gets misunderstood by readers, then that wisdom is lost.” – Precisely! I mean at least to those who want readers, otherwise, NVM, right?!
There’s a blog that always leaves me offended, whatever they write, I feel like they’re dictating the readers on how to live their lives, as if talking to a child. Incidentally, there’s another blog of very similar niche/content and I love it so much. I tried understanding why I find the other one offensive.. I believe it’s the “know it all” vibe it sends, definitely not relatable while the other blog is super light and breezy.
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I do think there are ways to say the same thingsuch that it imparts a greater message. One of the things I like about flash fiction and poetry is that it affords far more subtle ways to make a point than just saying it, possibly talking down to people in the process.
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The content is important, but how it’s presented can make or break it.
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Yeah, content is important but if people stop reading before they get to the content…
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Completely agree! It’s always how you say it
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