Phrasing.

So I'm at the point where I'm updating this blog about once a month now...which is pretty good, I guess. Despite the massive amount of time I spend procrastinating instead of doing homework and studying, I don't always have the time and energy to write...and sometimes I just don't have anything to write about. I'll try to keep up with my one-entry-a-month pattern, though, even though I may be more compelled to write once the semester's over and I have more free time. I guess there's no way to tell until the time actually comes.

Anyways...on to what I initially came here to write about: phrasing things.

Putting things into words is an easier concept for some people than for others. Some people can automatically convert their thoughts and feelings into an articulate description without giving it much thought, while others spend a much more considerable amount of time struggling to come up with the "right" way to say what they want to say. As I've been told many times, "it's not just about what you say, but how you say it." It's not always just about the words themselves- it's about the meaning behind them, the tone and attitude that goes along with them, as well as the audience the words are being directed to. For example, when talking to my friends about a character who used to be on a TV show that I like, I'd probably say something such as "David Palmer is epic! He's really smart and always listens to Jack, since he knows he's always right, which is why he's the best president." However, if I was attempting to analyze his character when writing a review of the show, I'd be more likely to phrase it like "David Palmer is an outstanding character. He is an authoritative president who is strong in his beliefs and decisions, and his unfailing trust in Jack Bauer ensures that he is making the best decisions for his country." Both statements mean pretty much the same thing, but are phrased differently due to the different audiences they are intended for.

Another issue that many people have is trying to avoid having their words come across in a way that they don't intend them to. This is especially difficult in writing, since no one is actually speaking the words so the tone behind them can often be misunderstood. Someone may be trying to phrase something in a matter-of-fact, logical tone and actually have it come across as harsh, as a result of how they said it. I've often worried that things I've said will appear to be angry or critical when they aren't meant to be at all. That's one reason I often avoid talking about things that make me angry or upset- not only do I prefer to avoid conflict, but I'm afraid I won't be able to express it properly, and I'll end up making whoever I'm talking/writing to angry, frustrated, annoyed, or have them think I'm stupid for feeling the way I do. I mean, sometimes that's not all due to the way things are phrased- sometimes the way a person reacts to something will be the same no matter how you say it, just because of their own personal beliefs/thoughts, but many times the wording really does make a difference. I mean, saying "Oh my god, you never listen to me when I talk, all you do is talk about yourself," compared to "Sometimes I feel like you don't really pay attention to the things I say, and it makes me feel like you don't really care," is different, in my opinion...the first one is more accusing, while the other one leans more toward explaining how you feel about the situation, and then giving the other person a chance to give their point, hopefully without having to be defensive (which would probably occur in the first scenario).

So...yeah. (Great display of eloquence there, I know.) Putting things into words and having them turn out exactly the way you want them to isn't always an easy task, but the feeling of finally phrasing something in just the way you want it to, and having it carry out just the right effect, definitely makes the struggle (or the gift, if you're one of the lucky ones out there who doesn't have much trouble with it) for good wording worth it. ^^