Writing is often referred to as a mysterious process. Some people even consider the ability to write well a rare and special gift. Well . . . perhaps. But only if you’re talking about the ability to write a prize-winning novel or a poem that will be celebrated for generations. If, on the other hand, you’re talking about conveying information, ideas, and arguments clearly and convincingly, the writing process is anything but mysterious.

In fact, once you realize that writing shares a surprising number of similarities with participating in a conversation, you’ll find that writing is an activity you can approach with confidence.