James Baquet

    The proverb “Well begun is half done” was actually referred to as a proverb by Aristotle, who died 322 B.C., so it was a well-known saying even before his time. He wrote: “The mistake lies in the beginning; as the proverb says, ‘Well begun is half done;’ so an error at the beginning, though quite small, bears the same ratio to the errors in the other parts.”

    In other words, if you do something well at the beginning, you are halfway to a successful completion.

    Here’s the saying in a dialogue.

    James sees his student, a girl named Rosa, scratching her head in the library.

    James: Hey, Rosa. Whatcha workin’ on?

    Rosa: Hi, James. I have to write a letter and I’m struggling over the opening.

    James: Yeah, “Well begun is half done” and all that.

    Rosa: Yup. And what’s the saying about “First impressions?”

    James: One funny version is “First impressions last.”

    Rosa: Huh?

    James: It means that what people think of you at first can have a long-term effect. It can “last” a long time.

    Rosa: Got it. Anyway, I’m having trouble writing this pitch to the school activities office for a new club.

    James: So this is persuasive writing.

    Rosa: I hope so!

    James: Well, then, after you greet them properly, state simply what you want to do. Then show what needs your new club will meet.

    Rosa: So, like, “Dear administrators blah blah blah” then “I am writing to request formation of a creative writing club,” then maybe bullet my three or four reasons?

    James: Exactly. “This club will fill the following needs: a, b, c, yada yada yada.”

    Rosa: Perfect. Thanks, James!

    James: No problem. Writing is my forte!

    Notes on the dialogue:

    — Scratching one’s head: An indication of confusion or indecision.

    — One funny version etc.: This is funny because the words “first” and “last” are opposites, even though the meaning of “last” here is different.

    — A pitch: A proposal for a new idea.

    — I hope so: Rosa is making a little joke. “Persuasive writing” is a category or genre of writing; Rosa is saying she hopes it truly does persuade the administration.

    — “Blah blah blah” and “yada yada yada”: Two informal, spoken ways to say “et cetera” or “and so on.”

    — To bullet something: To make a list with bullet points, which is easier to read than a list within a paragraph (like these notes on the dialogue).

    — Something is one’s forte: “Forte” here means “strong point.” In this meaning it is best pronounced like “fort.” However, many speakers have confused it with the Italian musical term meaning “loud” which is pronounced “FOR-tay,” so this pronunciation is now often heard.