Said the editor to her client,
Do you see what I see?
At first, the client didn’t see what the editor saw on the nonfiction document. The client didn’t see the redundancy, the wordiness, or the ambiguity. The client told the editor he intentionally used inconsistencies in punctuation because he liked how it looked. He saw what he thought was clear and concise writing in which his readers would easily be able to locate the information they were looking for.
In terms of grammar and style, the client wanted to divert from the rules and use artistic license—but this took the focus away from his outstanding content.
The problem is what looks appealing to him may not be what looks appealing to his readers. Inconsistencies and errors will make his readers struggle. Struggling to locate or make sense of information is unappealing to all readers.
The client was wise to have an editor by his side to see from the viewpoint of his readers and thwart any potential problems they might face that would reflect poorly on him.
Although writing is an art, it’s also a craft—and it involves implementing learned skills. You don’t have as much freedom to make choices as you do when creating something that’s strictly art. You have rules to guide you and strengthen your ability to successfully deliver your message.
Should you divert from the rules because you think your way makes your document look better? No. This is dangerous because it may lead your readers away from your message and away from you.
The goal of your nonfiction writing is to communicate information. Even for writing that isn’t prose—such as a resume—it’s important to follow grammar and style rules if you want to present a polished document. Your readers want to quickly locate clear information; by adhering to the rules, you’ll help them do this.
We all see things differently: your readers may not see what you see, and you may not see what your editor sees (but your editor will help your readers see your message). Our visions merge when we ensure clarity by adhering to the rules of grammar and style.
