Gary Goshgarian provided a lot of useful information and tips on how to improve your writing. This was a very informative chapter and well worth the reading. The tips that were provided were helpful and easy to understand. Most of us face many challenges when it comes to writing from how to get started, how to say what we want to say, how to spell certain words, to proper punctuation, grammar, and diction.
All of the writers in Chapter 2, “Writers on Writing,” in our Exploring Language book identify that the first problem a writer faces is how to get started with the writing process. It can be very overwhelming staring at a blank piece of paper or computer screen not knowing where to start. Anne Lamott, addresses this issue with her essay appropriately entitled “Getting Started.” According to Ms. Lamott, you need to train your unconscious to kick in for you by sitting down to write everyday at about the same time and staring at the computer until an image starts forming in your mind. Do not get discouraged if at first nothing happens because this technique can take some time and you need to train yourself to be able to do it. Another one of Lamott’s tips is to not be afraid, just plug your nose and jump in. Start by writing everything you remember from your childhood and proceed from there. These tips can be very helpful in getting you started in your writing endeavors. Now that we know how to get started writing we can shift our focus on what constitutes good writing.
In John Leo’s essay entitled, “On Good Writing,” he goes over the rules and gives his audience some tips on improving their writing skills. He starts off his essay by stating that important keys to good writing are candor, clarity, and sincerity. So how do we accomplish this? We need to be specific, not dance around the truth, and be sincere about what we are writing. Your audience will know if your heart is not in your writing. He also states that we should use short sentences, put yourself into your writing, and do not use phrases such as, “I feel,” and “I believe.” Many novice writers are under the misguided notion that using longer sentences makes them a better writer. This is not the case. Short sentences are easier to read and give the reader a more concise understanding of what you are trying to convey. When Leo says put yourself into your writing he means to do your best work. Nobody wants to read a half-hearted attempt at writing, and chances are if you are not inspired by what you are writing about your audience will not be inspired either. Using the phrases “I believe” and “I feel” are just opinions and your audience will appreciate your writing more if you use facts.
My favorite tip from John Leo is to write in your own voice like in a conversational manner. This means you are writing as if you are speaking personally to your audience. By doing this, you, are able to connect with your audience and hold their attention. So the next time you attempt to put your pen to paper keep these rules in mind and good luck. We may not all become professional writers or authors, but remembering these rules and tips may help you achieve a better grade on your next research paper.
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A good piece of advice for writing is definitely the one on writing as if you are speaking it. I find this way a lot easier for me to write essays and stay on track. Although sometimes what I would say out loud really is good for paper or does not sound right on paper, but it still is a helpful tip to follow by. I learned a good helpful tip from Richard Lederer’s “The Case for Short Words”. He explained that you do not need to use such big words in order for you paper to sound “intellectual”. This is totally true because he used only one syllable words for the first four paragraphs in his writing and sounded like a genius. The essay is on page 122 in the text. It is very interesting and helpful, you should read it if you haven’t already. I found his essay helpful in that I always used big complex words in my essays. Not only does this make things harder for your reader to understand, but it also makes your essay a tad bit boring. For me, I never liked reading boring papers with long words that I would have to get out a dictionary just to understand the words used in it. That is way too much work. Why hassle other people if you don’t like being hassled? So, I learned a lot from his essay and found it very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input! I did read Richard Lederer's essay entitled, "The Case for Short Words," and found it to be very helpful too. I agree with him that if a smaller word fits into your sentence use it as opposed to the bigger word. I especially liked the way that he used Shakespeare and the Bible to make his case for smaller words. Those are two prime examples of how smaller words can do the job as well as big words, and if not better.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! I know that almost every single time I am faced with a paper to write, I stare into the abyss of my computer screen. Now I know that this is a normal thing to go through and can even become a habit for writing papers. Eventually something starts working in my head and I am able to find the right words to express my thoughts. Another great tip that I got from your post is to write as if I am speaking to my reader. I had always been taught to maintain a strict and formal tone with my audience. However, I find it much easier to write and suffer less from writer’s block when I write to “speak” with my readers. I am also a fan of your favorite tip by John Leo!
ReplyDeleteI find it boring and tedious to have to read essays with complicated words that seem archaic. I wish that writers would employ the tips of the authors from this week’s chapter. This would make reading more efficient and beneficial. Your post has helped me to view the way in which I write in a new light. Once again a job well done on a very helpful post!