DAY 23: LIFE'S MARKING CRITERIA

C- content 

O- organization 

E-expression

M/A- mechanical accuracy

For as long as I can remember, these initials were always present after essays were marked. Teachers would allocate marks against each criterion. 

Content, Organisation, Expression, and Mechanical Accuracy (COEM) are the core criteria used by bodies like WAEC/NECO to grade English essays, assessing if the writing has relevant points (Content), a logical structure (Organisation), clear language and style (Expression), and correct grammar/spelling (Mechanical Accuracy), ensuring a coherent and well-presented piece. 

And for some time now I realized that this is the sum of writing. The strength of every blogpost, article, research paper, text message lies in these 4 characteristics.

For every post, I'm considering what I want to communicate to the reader, my tone and language, the seamless flow of thoughts and finally spellings and grammar. 

Writing is easier when there is a checklist of things to tick off. 

By extension, the same applies to our lives. 

Every human being has a purpose to fulfill, that is the content question. Everyone has content within them; values, knowledge, wisdom, expertise and experiences, all geared towards answering that purpose (content) question. They are bullet point point, topic sentences which are expanded to answer the purpose question.

At the end of our lives we will look back to see whether we answered that question with relevant points.

Then we have E for expression. Everyone has a unique way of showing forth their content. Avenues for expression can be loud, muted, extravagant, modest, stylish, or dull. Personalities can be extroverted or introverts. Different people have different ways of stewarding similar gifts in a way that is unique to them. It's called a signature style. Distinct enough to be recognized in the midst of others, that is your expression.

We have O for organization. This is your ability to arrange your acquired knowledge from the content in a way that is beneficial. The hierarchy of which one is deal-breaker and which one is negotiable.

The order of priority in life; what needs to be attended to now and what can wait. Career or family, God or ambition, love or money.

Then we have MA for mechanical accuracy. No other criteria assess error like MA and Content. The difference is that for content, we may never know whether we are right or wrong unless the Lord whiles MA can be assessed by wise people.

All the other points allow for fluidity and freedom except this one. Similar to the laid down principles of grammar and spelling, there are laid down principles of how to raise a family, how to do business, how to serve God etc. Any discerning person can look at your routines, patterns and habits and give you a score here and now for mechanical accuracy.

For every challenge I am faced with, I am asking myself 4 questions;

• Do I  have the wisdom/expertise needed to handle this?

• What is the unique touch I can add to it? 

• Are my priorities right?

• Am I following laid down Biblical principles?