In the context of writing-to-others,
a topic (to write about) and a writing challenge
are distinctly different.
A topic (to write about) can be:
- an area of interest,
- the focus (subject) of a particular instance of writing, or
- a means of identifying (a collection of) information relevant to the focus (of a particular instance of writing).
In the context of writing-to-others, having a topic (to write about) presents two salient benefits to the writer; the name of the topic can be:
- used to guide others (but not the writer) into the focus of a particular instance of writing, and/or
- used to perform secondary research about the focus of a particular instance of writing.
A writing challenge is (a conceptual tool defined as):
- the difference (the gap) between what the target audience is doing before reading the text (yet to be created by the writer)
AND
- the target audience achieving the desired consequence after reading the text (yet to be created by the writer)
For a graphical representation of a writing challenge, see Construct Your Writing Challenge; Change Your World.
In the context of writing-to-others, having an explicit writing challenge has the following benefits:
- An explicit writing challenge can (metaphorically) keep the writer's attention focused on motivating the target audience (to achieve the desired consequence of a particular instance of writing).
- A topic (to write about) does not provide this benefit
- The desired consequence (for an explicit writing challenge) can be used by the writer to keep the text on course (toward achieving the desired consequence).
- A topic (to write about) does not provide this benefit
- The desired consequence (for an explicit writing challenge) provides to the writer a means of a gauging the success (or failure) of a particular instance of writing.
- A topic (to write about) does not provide this benefit
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