Is it possible to improve your writing instantly? The answer, happily, is "yes."
While researching a book on famous speeches and essays, I found eight easily correctable mistakes writers often make. Here they are?and how to correct them instantly.
1. UNFOCUSED SUBJECT ? Focus on a single theme only. Every sentence and paragraph should reinforce that topic.
2. TOO LONG ? Abraham Lincoln crafted his Gettysburg Address in less than 300 words. Unless I'm specifically asked to do otherwise, I try to condense my work to one double-spaced single page (about 250 words).
3. WEAK PREMISE ? Can you state the major focus of your message in 20 words or less?
4. NO ATTENTION-GRABBER ? The first sentence or two must quickly attract the reader. Two ways to do this: (a) ask a question or (b) reveal a discovery.
5. UNLINKED PARAGRAPHS ? Each paragraph should logically lead to the next. One way some writers do this: (a) quickly write several paragraphs on a subject; ((b) prioritize them; (c) present them in descending order from most important to least important; (d) conclude by restating the two or three most important points.
6. PASSIVE VERBS ? Passive verbs like is, am, was, and were simply exist. Action verbs run, jump, excite, and motivate.
7. BORE FACTOR ? Some research says the average adult attention span is only eight seconds. So it's important to make your points convincingly, and end your paper powerfully.
8. WEAK ENDING ? Exit your report like an experienced stage performer?leave your audience wanting more. Two ways to do this: (a) use a famous quote to reinforce your conclusion, or (b) give details showing the reader where to get more information on the subject. (Examples: your phone, fax, e-mail, etc.)
Rix Quinn writes the nationally syndicated weekly newspaper humor feature "Poor Rix's Almanac" for DBR Media.
His new book "Words That Stick" is available from your local bookstore, or from Amazon.com. He can be reached by phone at 817-920-7999.
rental limo Atlanta .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA QUERY LETTER is written to an editor or agent... Read More
There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More
All your publishing options are as follows:--Conventional publishing--Vanity or subsidy... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Whichever theme you choose, all the elements,... Read More
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More
A UK based freelance proofreader should be able to provide... Read More
Word processors are so widely used now that I tend... Read More
Have you been guilty of procrastinating on your book project,... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
The tiniest things can be so useful when you come... Read More
Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More
You know you've got writing talent. Others enjoy your work... Read More
Want to write an article or book, but are stuck... Read More
1) Convince yourself you want to do something else. If... Read More
One morning, you open your inbox and find several e-mails... Read More
Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More
Part 1 of this article discussed the experience you need... Read More
Language Training - A key to Global CommunicationLanguage Training is... Read More
Sometimes there is confusion about the exact meaning of the... Read More
Whenever you sit down to plot a story (or even... Read More
Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
When I first started tracking the information preferences of people... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
Bedford Park taxi to Midway ..This is the ideal topic for us all to think... Read More
First impressions count in writing too! So it is always... Read More
Set your journal or diary where you will see it... Read More
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More
The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
Want to write your book? But, need a blueprint on... Read More
Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea,... Read More
When a writer is working on their next literary masterpiece... Read More
You can turn your $200 fee to write a press... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
Writing can be more difficult that just compiling your thoughts... Read More
1. Remember publication is a business; writing is an art.... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More
Connectors -- conjunctions, punctuation, and transitional phrases -- allow readers... Read More
In the ten years that I've taught people how to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
It's clich?, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More
A friend and I were talking the other day about... Read More
Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business... Read More
"The Magic of Layout..."???Okay... "magic" might seem a bit over... Read More
One Saturday afternoon, I sat in a packed conference room... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?How we usually begin the preparation stage... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
Writing |