Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a term paper I knew just what to do. I quickly researched the report, and wrote it as fast as I could.
Next, I reached for a thesaurus and looked up complicated, multi-syllable synonyms for my easy words. This turned my paper into a complex, obtuse mess.
That was wrong, wrong, wrong! Once I started to write for a living, I quickly discovered that if readers don't understand something, they simply quit reading!
So how can you make your writing less formal, more personal, and turn readers into interested friends? Here are some ideas I've stumbled across:
1. Think about a specific reader when you write. I usually picture a family member. This tends to make my writing less formal.
2. Ask a question. Example: "Do you ever get bored reading a long, complicated report?"
3. Propose a solution. Example: "Here's a way to alleviate afternoon boredom."
4. Present new evidence: Example: "My brother ? a historian ? claims he's discovered three new traits about medieval knights."
5. Offer free advice. Example: "I've found a new way to write research papers."
6. Share a shortcut. Example: "Here's a timesaving method to exercise better and more efficiently."
7. Tell how or why you started a project. Example: "I started this company with one goal: to help people find the job best suited for them."
Rix Quinn wrote the book of writing tips "Words That Stick." It's available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/1580085768/qid/
For more information on his frequent phone seminars, e-mail him at mailto:rixquinn@charter.net
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to... Read More
Rudolph Flesch, a pioneering advocate of readability, put great stock... Read More
If you want happy customers to use your service or... Read More
Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
In most aspects of business, we will be expected to... Read More
"You should write a book." For years, I had been... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing... Read More
Agents and publishing houses have their best interests at heart,... Read More
Balance your life ... Read More
Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My... Read More
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
When you run an online agency for freelance writers, editors... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More
Dave, I just got a contract for a book... Read More
I???ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
Here's everything I know about improving your writing, publishing it... Read More
Creating incredible characters can be easy if you know of... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
1. Become an EavesdropperListen carefully to the way people REALLY... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you... Read More
Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITYHOW DO... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
Your computer is a writing machine, a word processor, a... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More
Anyone who has read any of my articles on the... Read More
All Writers need the press, especially new writers. As a... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide,... Read More
The Benefits of Co-Publishing There are a number of publishers,... Read More
Nothing is more daunting for any writer than having to... Read More
Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering... Read More
First, let's tackle the question that is uppermost in many... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More
An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The... Read More
1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE....for half an hour or... Read More
Have you ever had a student write to tell you... Read More
A poet isn't born; you must work at crafting your... Read More
A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More
Writing |