Thinking+and+Communicating+with+Clarity+and+Precision

//Sometimes we use language that is vague and imprecise. We use words like "nice" or "ok". In science, words must be used precisely to describe observations since subtle differences can lead to vastly different conclusions.// //"I do not so easily think in words. After being hard at work, having arrived at results that are perfectly clear, I have to translate my thoughts in a language that does not run evenly with them." --Francis Galton//
 * Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision**

Sometimes, when communicating with others, I do a bad job of thoroughly explaining my ideas, especially through writing. When asked to solve a problem, I often find that actually solving the problem is less difficult than clearly describing the process and results to someone else. A good example of when this occurred is when, during Chemistry class, we were given a task to design an experiment for making a battery that would produce a voltage of at least 1.5V. We then had to manipulate a variable in the experiment, and investigate how doing so would change the voltage produced by the battery.

Most of the groups were making batteries using two different metals, and two solutions. While my partner, Sam, and I were outlining our experiment, I suddenly had the idea to use lemons to make the battery, instead of different solutions. I faintly remembered, from past experiences, that it was possible to make batteries using lemons. Sam had never heard of this before, so when I suggested the idea to him, he asked me to write up a brief procedure of how to generate electricity using lemons. My first write-up was extremely brief and vague, and while it made sense in my head, it didn't make much sense when read by someone else. I had to re-explain the procedure after I wrote it out, because the instructions weren't clear enough. After I finally made myself clear as to how using lemons as a battery would work, Sam and I worked together to do more research regarding lemon batteries, and we wrote out a very clear procedure for our experiment.

From this experience, I learned the importance of expressing your ideas clearly through writing. While something may make sense in your head, when explaining it to someone else through writing, it's important to be very detailed and specific, so that others will understand exactly what you're thinking. This is especially important when writing up procedures for chemistry experiments; even a slight difference in procedure could lead to a whole different experiment!



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