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"مهمة الكاتب ليست حل المشكلة بل بيان المشكلة بشكل صحيح."

Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov Author
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Quote meaning
Being a writer isn't about fixing things. It’s about presenting them clearly and accurately. Writers shouldn't try to offer solutions to the world's issues or even to a personal dilemma. Instead, their primary job is to lay out the problem in a way that everyone can see and understand. This isn't just about good writing—it's about good thinking. When you describe a problem well, you help others see it in a new light, which is often the first step toward finding a solution.

Let's take a bit of a historical detour. Think about George Orwell and his work "1984." Orwell didn't write his dystopian novel to offer solutions to totalitarianism. Instead, he painted a vivid, chilling picture of what such a regime could look like. By doing so, he didn't solve the problem, but he certainly made readers think deeply about the issues of surveillance, propaganda, and loss of personal freedom. That’s what great writing does—it makes you think.

Now, picture this: you're having a frustrating day at work. The systems are down, deadlines are looming, and miscommunication is rampant. You could vent to your friend about how your boss is terrible and the IT department is useless. But if you take a step back, you might realize the real problem is the lack of an efficient communication system in your office. By stating the problem correctly, you can start to see what needs to change.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? When you’re writing, don’t rush to offer solutions. Whether it’s an essay, a blog post, or even an email, spend time articulating the problem. What’s the real issue here? Why does it matter? Who does it affect? Sometimes, just laying out the problem clearly can lead to insights that weren’t obvious before. It’s like untangling a knot—once you see all the loops and twists, you can figure out where to start.

Imagine you’re at a community meeting about local traffic congestion. Everyone’s annoyed and throwing out half-baked solutions—more stoplights, fewer stoplights, wider roads, narrower roads. It’s a mess. But then someone stands up and says, “The real problem is that our neighborhood wasn’t designed for this many cars. We need to rethink our urban planning.” That’s not a solution, but it’s a clear statement of the problem. It changes the conversation.

This approach works in everyday life, too. Think about relationships. If you and your partner are arguing about chores, the problem isn’t really who does the dishes. It might be about feeling unappreciated or overwhelmed. By stating the problem correctly—“I feel stressed because I’m handling all the housework”—you can both start to address the real issue.

In short, next time you write or even speak about a problem, pause before you jump to solutions. Focus on describing the problem clearly and accurately. It’s a skill that will make your writing more impactful and your thinking sharper. And who knows? You might just help someone else see things in a new light.
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Author Communication Expression Problem State Task Writer Writing
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