Writing in New Paradigm Language
Is your New Paradigm message being communicated effectively through the language you use? If you are writing to express a New Paradigm idea in both thought and emotion—and this is particularly relevant for writers of “prescriptive” nonfiction, those how-to, self-help books aimed at offering transformative value—you’ll want to use language that does it best. Old Paradigm language just won’t hack it!
So what is New Paradigm language for writers? To see that clearly, first consider what is Old Paradigm language. In the Old Paradigm, you are oriented to a world view that is linear, best suited to express subject-object relationships. Connection of writer to reader is exclusive, in that a separation is maintained: I/We (over here) tell them (over there) something. Hierarchy pervades rather than equality: I/We know something that they do not.
By contrast, in New Paradigm language, there is a de-emphasis of subject-object relating, a tone of inclusivity; that writer and reader are in this together, exploring, discovering the subject, and are connected in that effort. Equality pervades rather than hierarchy: What you, dear reader, know matters, so let’s both explore the subject and discover something together.
Can the English language—the one I use, holding degrees in and having taught thousands of second-language college students to use for writing—can it allow, even support the expression of New Paradigm states of consciousness? Granted, our English language has arisen from a subject-object orientation to life and so isn’t easily suited to the shift required by the New Paradigm. But there are ways around that, and I’ve discovered a few in my many adventures helping authors write their nonfiction books, especially prescriptive books, where the author has something of value to share with the reader and needs to establish a relationship to best do that.
Pronoun Shifting For Impact
Pronouns in English present an immediate problem; by nature, they are subject-object oriented and exclusive, making a connected, equal relationship between writer and reader difficult. Taking the position that “I/We” am addressing “him/her/them” keeps your writing in the Old Paradigm, even when your topic is clearly New Paradigm. So how are writers to address readers in language that best expresses a New Paradigm world view?
Try skipping the I/We-you dichotomy, and shift to something more direct, more immediate and connected. The pronoun that helps make this shift is “you” in both singular and plural. I/We becomes less relevant and so needs to be used sparingly, when at all.
Think about it. When you address readers using “you,” you are giving life to a relationship, and the New Paradigm is all about enlivening relationship by providing connection, equality, immediacy, respect. The Old Paradigm is also about relationship but more about the subject-object relationship: I/We-him/her/them. “You” is inclusive, especially in the plural meaning of “y’all” (thank you, Southern speakers!), and so blurs the line between subject and object. You in “y’all” indicates simply “those people (readers) I’m in relationship with and am talking to.”
As a nonfiction book editor, I see so many authors hesitate, even resist using “you” as the pronoun to directly address readers. They want to step back, not risk getting in the face of their readers, being overly polite, etc., and so resort to “we.” For example, “We know that eating healthy adds to longevity but find it hard to practice in our lives.” Try: “You know that eating healthy adds to your longevity but find it hard to practice in your life.”
Notice a difference? As a reader, you want to be engaged, be part of an ongoing dialogue in a respectful relationship, and “we” subbed for “you” doesn’t do it. Besides being the potentially off-putting “royal we,” that first person plural pronoun can mistakenly imply that the reader shares the same needs as the author, as in: “We need to take care of our body.” So since when did I share a body with you? Our bodies is a little better, but it still assumes the same need applies and so falls short on respect.)
I advise authors over and over again: Be bold and engage your readers directly—“You need to take care of your body.” Establish a relationship, one that includes who you are talking/writing to. Even if the reader already takes care of their body, they will find themselves more likely to agree that it’s still a good idea to follow.
And if you’re worried about being too direct, sounding impolite, remember that as an author, you haveauthor-ity. As a New Paradigm writer, you are standing in a place of knowledge, even as you establish a relationship of respect, inclusivity, and equality with your readers. You are the expert, and the people who bought your book see you that way. Turn your message into a direct transmission, and stop hiding behind a “we” that doesn’t connect, for providing the most impact in all that you write.
