Jordan Peterson on the Power of Writing

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching critical thinking through writing, highlighting the difficulty in grading poorly written essays. They mention a guide available on their website to improve writing skills. The speaker passionately argues that writing is a powerful tool for effective thinking and action, essential for success in life's battles. They express concern that universities often fail to convey the significance of writing, which should be seen as a vital skill for articulating arguments and gaining influence.

Takeaways

• 📝 The best method to teach critical thinking is through writing exercises.
• 🔍 The speaker has created a guide to writing, which is intended to assist in the writing process.
• 🌐 The guide is available on the 430 website, not the 434 website as initially thought.
• ⏳ Writing and marking essays is a time-consuming task, especially when grading poorly written ones.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of identifying and teaching what parts of an essay are done correctly, rather than focusing solely on mistakes.
• 💡 The rubric is designed to help with the production of essays, rather than just grading them.
• 🧠 Writing is equated with thinking, and the speaker believes that universities should teach students why writing is important.
• 🗣️ Effective writing, speaking, and presenting skills are powerful tools that can lead to success and influence.
• 🤷‍♂️ The speaker is puzzled by the lack of emphasis on the importance of writing skills in universities.
• 🛡️ Writing skills are likened to weapons, providing individuals with the ability to defend and advance their ideas effectively.

Q & A

What is the best way to teach critical thinking according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that the best way to teach critical thinking is to teach people to write.

What is the purpose of the 'rubric for essay writing' mentioned in the script?

The 'rubric for essay writing' is a tool created by the speaker to guide people through the process of writing effectively.

Why is it challenging to teach people to write, as per the speaker's experience?

The speaker finds it challenging because writing and marking essays are time-intensive, and it's difficult to provide constructive feedback on a poorly written essay without overwhelming the writer.

How does the speaker's rubric aim to adjust the teaching process?

The rubric is designed to adjust the teaching process from the production side rather than the grading side, making it easier for students to understand what they did wrong and how to improve.

What is the connection between writing and thinking, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that there is no difference between writing and thinking, suggesting that writing is a direct reflection of one's thought process.

Why does the speaker think writing is important for students in universities?

The speaker believes that writing is crucial because it helps students think effectively, which is essential for success in various aspects of life, including battles for good causes.

What does the speaker imply about the power of being able to write, speak, and present effectively?

The speaker implies that the ability to write, speak, and present effectively is a powerful weapon that can lead to success, opportunities, and influence.

Why does the speaker find it surprising that students are not told why they should write?

The speaker is surprised that students are not told the importance of writing because it is a powerful tool that can significantly impact their ability to act effectively in the world.

What does the speaker suggest about the lack of emphasis on the importance of writing in education?

The speaker suggests that there might be a conspiracy to keep students weak by not emphasizing the importance of writing, which could be a way to reduce competition.

What is the speaker's view on the role of language and communication skills in personal success?

The speaker views language and communication skills as essential tools for personal success, comparing them to weapons like a sword or an M16, which can make a person dangerous and influential if used effectively.