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Concepts Resources
Resources - Writing Style
Here are some great links that can help you hone your writing
style, unshackle you from your inhibitions, and help you write effectively.
September 2008
If you are a writer, you know well that writing is a continuous
cycle of revision. Whatever the writing experts may say, most writers
can't stop worrying about the terms and their meanings (all the
different ones) and if they could find a tool that would help them
with not just the words but also the abbreviations, I am sure they'll
save many painful moments of confusion. So click http://www.metaglossary.com/
to reach one such tool.
August 2008
Writerisms?!
What about them?
Read "Writerisms and other Sins: A Writer's Shortcut to Stronger
Writing" by C J Cherryh, at http://www.sfwa.org/writing/chadvce.htm
to identify your own writerisms and eliminate them! (I've not even
reached as far as identifying them...)
July 2008
What happens when a young person, full of idealism and passion,
led by a desire to put his creative writing skills to use, joins
the eLearning industry?
This question isn't difficult to answer. Right? Well, here's my
answer.
The young person's expectations aren't fulfilled, for the industry
doesn't need "creative" writing, it requires "clear,
crisp, and instructional writing!" The whole problem is aggravated
by a serious lack of guidelines, which this young writer could’ve
followed.
Find some writing style guides at http://www.calstatela.edu/library/styleman.htm
to alleviate this pain.
June 2008
"Neither pedantic nor wild?" by Michael McNay is an introduction
to Guardian's style guide. This crisp introduction accentuates the
importance of writing style by talking about the in-house style
of the Guardian.
If you are not closely involved with content writing, it may be
difficult for you to accept the fuss on writing style! But as a
content writer, it is the axis around which most of your work-life
dances! Click http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/article/0,,181311,00.html
to read this article, and then click http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/page/0,5817,184844,00.html
to access the hyper-linked guide.
May 2008
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writing_style)
- Writing style is the manner in which a writer addresses a matter
in prose, a manner, which reveals the writer's personality, or 'voice.'
While creating content for learning, we are often expected to cleanse
our content of true "style". In fact, as a part of the
content development team, we are often required to write in a given
style.
The above Wikipedia link will help you anchor your writing style
ship, while you steer your writing skills in the right direction.
April 2008
Writing for the web is different. You need to make your content
direct, keep it short, use headings, and so on. Here's another link
that will help you tailor your writing for the web. Click http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/guide_write_01.htm
for some web content writing guidelines.
March 2008
In content writing, brevity rules! Cutting out the redundant without
affecting the essential is an art, which is difficult to master.
However, some quick tips by Peter Smith, in "Developing a Writing
Style" can make our writing lean and smart. Click http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/teaching_staff/Smith/students/writing.html
to read this excellent article.
February 2008
A short but useful guide on technical writing is available at:
http://www.ent.ohiou.edu/~valy/techwrite.html
A more elaborate guide for technical writing can be found at: http://www.io.com/~hcexres/textbook/
Among other types of writing, this site also provides guidelines
for writing business plans, proposals, progress reports, and user
guides.
January 2008
A quick primer on writing style is available at: http://www.answers.com/topic/writing-style-1
Are you aware of the theories of good style? Well, they are: conciseness,
simplicity, active voice and so on. While you are at this page,
check out the theories of good style.
"Basic Prose Style and Mechanics" by Craig Waddell is
an excellent 22-page guide available at: http://www.hu.mtu,edu/~cwaddell/Basic_Prose_Style.html
~~~~~~ 2007 ~~~~~~
December 2007
- If you've just entered the hallowed portals of content writing,
here's a lovely reference site for you. Click http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/index.html
and save it in your favorites. This page displays five sections
(the second section may not interest you much.) Click each to
browse through its content. I especially recommend "Grammar
and Punctuation" and "Improving your Writing Style."
November 2007
- Do you write Picasso-style or Jazz-style? In "How to Write
With Style" Kurt Vonnegut says, "Pity the reader,"
for "They have to identify thousands of little marks on paper,
and make sense of them immediately." It does make lots of
sense. The readers have a tough job to do, and if the readers
are learners, our responsibility increases many times over. Read
this "sensible" article at http://www.peterstekel.com/PDF-HTML/Kurt%20Vonnegut%20advice%20to%20writers.htm
- Click http://www.gooddocuments.com/techniques/invertedpyramid.htm
to become acquainted with the inverted pyramid style of writing
where we mention the gist of the content first! This is also called
newspaper style writing. A link on this page takes you to an example
of this writing style. Click http://www.gooddocuments.com/techniques/summaryexample.htm
to view the example.
October 2007
- From a content developer's viewpoint, the most relevant definition
of the term "fallacy" is - "an often plausible
argument using false or invalid inference." An extremely
useful article that enables us to identify logical fallacies and
eliminate them from our writing is available at: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/fallacies.html
- Another link that I would like to add to this section (once
again,) is http://www.bartleby.com/141/
This page provides a hyperlinked version of The Elements of Style"
by William Strunk, Jr.
September 2007
- Recently, one of the IDCWC Online course participants wrote
to me. He asked me a question that made me feel sad. This excellent
writer asked me - "Is my style of writing too anecdotal?"
Well, as a matter of fact, his writing style IS anecdotal (and
beautiful,) but does it make it bad? Do we need to snuff the life
out of our writing? My reply - an unequivocal NO." Our writing
style needs to be alive - it needs to change with our audience!
Do we talk to the vegetable vendor in the same manner as we talk
to our client? No, we don't! This is true also for instructional
writing.
Choosing and Writing for an Audience by Dr. Steven Hale is an
article that brings out the importance of the audience factor
in determining your writing style. Read this article by clicking
http://www.gpc.edu/~shale/humanities/composition/handouts/audience.html.
Unfortunately, we often do not have the freedom to choose an audience,
but then we do have the freedom to steer our writing in their
direction.
August 2007
- Language is defined as: "Communication of thoughts and
feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice
sounds, gestures, or written symbols." (Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/language)
- Our writing style is our characteristic way of using language
so that the "communication" becomes more interesting,
intriguing, and clear. Read "Writing Well" by Dan Simmons
at http://www.dansimmons.com/writing_welll/archive/2006_01.htm
This seven-installment guide is written in style...I am confident
that it will keep you engaged:)
July 2007
- If your educational background doesn't boast of a degree in
English literature, here's a short and succinct PowerPoint Presentation
that shall introduce you to the mysterious terminology of literature.
Click http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/stennille/ST3/poetryppp/tsld001.htm
to learn about alliteration, simile, metaphor, and personification.
What...you already know all about it...then discover acrostic
poems, quatrains, cinquain! Advance to slide 7 of this presentation
and find out.
- A glimpse into the Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation can
be had at http://www.grammarbook.com/.
This site should be a cool addition to the favorites of the project
managers.
June 2007
- We've spent 2.5 years researching links of all types of writing
styles through this section...let us stop and give some thought
to writing style. What is writing style? Click http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_ws.html
for a simple but interesting page on writing style. You can read
about "Sentences", "Paragraphs", and "Punctuation"
by clicking the relevant labels at the left.
- http://www.economist.com/research/StyleGuide/
has an excellent Style Guide that they use for their content.
What makes this page more interesting is the presence of a writing
style quiz. You can take this quiz either by identifying its link
on the above-mentioned page or by clicking http://www.economist.com/diversions/quiz.cfm?quizname=stylequiz
directly.
May 2007
- I found an excellent write-up on writing style at http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/style.html
and my first thought was to share it with you. This article, briefly
but aptly titled "Style", explains the maladies that
affect a person's writing style, in an excellent way.
April 2007
- Online content requires more attention. It has to be smart,
crisp, and direct. But how does one make it so? Click http://www.monash.edu.au/staff/web/content/writing.html
for some specific guidelines that can help you write better web-content.
I specially recommend the "Resources" section at the
end of this page.
- Click http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/alternative.pdf
for the list of (simpler) alternative words.
- Another useful link http://www.plainlanguagenetwork.org/Resources/lutz.htm
provides "(39) Rules for Writing Plain English" by William
D. Lutz. The "Whiz-deletion" rule is very interesting
and useful:-)
- A very interesting concept for simplifying writing is introduced
in the article "How Users Read on the Web" at http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html.
This article presents the results of a study that shows how we
can improve usability of the content by combining "concise
text" with "scannable layout."
March 2007
- eLearning courses...boring?! When I look at this statement from
the viewpoint of the IDCWC Online, I find it outrageous!
An eLearning course is boring only when the developers mechanically
convert content into "electronically displayable content."
eLearning is a fantastic medium, but it needs the loving caress
of instructional design, the creative stroke of the media designer,
and the logical thought of a programmer - all focused towards
motivating the learner and enhancing the learning experience.
Click http://www.elearningpost.com/articles/archives/monkey_instruction/
to read about what can convert boring into interesting.
February 2007
- Have you ever been intrigued by the logic behind styling technical
text the way it has been? If so click http://www.wisechat.com/thesis/chapter1.htm
to read through "Authorial and Reader Roles: Background and
Theories", which is the first chapter of Carl Chatfield's
thesis. The content here discusses the concept of the speaker
and the mock reader in depth. It also reviews its application
by analyzing two manuals, “The Microsoft Word User's Guide”
(a primary manual) and “Word for Windows 6 for Dummies”
(a secondary manual) to determine why the latter is bought by
many despite the existence of the former!
January 2007
- Click http://www.junketstudies.com/rulesofw/
to view eleven rules of punctuation. What? You know them all?
I too thought that I knew them all, but now I know that I didn't.
Do click and view the examples for Rule No. 8, to experience the
lighter side of punctuation flaws.
- Click http://www.docstyles.com/apacrib.htm
for a comprehensive guide on writing style.
~~~~~~ 2006 ~~~~~~
December 2006
Writing is a tricky business. Each reader interprets the written
word in a very special manner; carrying away not only what the writer
intended to say but also what the reader perceives. There isn't
anything new in this statement - it is a simple manifestation of
constructivism. Yet as authors we need to continually scan our writing
for terminology that may exhibit any bias towards a particular group
of people. Please note that none of the references that may use
to keep your language bias-free are complete - they cannot be: for
the perception of words is extremely dynamic!
- Language is a poly-edged tool - extremely dangerous to handle!
Use the references with care and remember to use the suggestions
in view of the culture that your audience belongs to - Ladies
& Gentlemen, here's an excellent guide, which can help you
keep your language bias-free! Click http://www.randomhouse.com/words/language/avoid_guide.html
to access "Sensitive Language."
November 2006
- "Hints on writing style" at http://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/writing.html
gives us some simple guidelines to write simple English.
- With the recent news about the British allowing the use (though
nominal) of SMS lingua in exams, the popular essay "Politics
and the English Language" by George Orwell becomes irresistible!
Click http://www.k-1.com/Orwell/index.cgi/work/essays/language.html
to read this thought-provoking essay.
- Here's a fun-link on writing "hacker" style. Click
http://catb.org/jargon/html/writing-style.html
and enjoy:)
October 2006
- I guess there is a big market for freelance writing, and there
is an equally big supply pool of individuals who wish to become
freelance writers! Yet there are some myths that dissuade these
potential freelance writers from venturing into this market.
Five myths that prospective freelance writers worry about are
exploded in the article, "Top 5 Myths About Freelance Writing"
by Jessica Ramirez at http://freelancewrite.about.com/
September 2006
- "Choosing and Writing for an Audience" by Dr. Steven
Hale is a well-organized article that begins by defining audience
and classifying them as "real" and "intended"
audiences. This article then delved into the process of choosing
an intended audience and then outlines how this chosen intended
audience should be addressed. Click http://www.gpc.edu/~shale/humanities/composition/handouts/audience.html
to read this excellent article.
- While the above article by Dr. Hale prompts you to select
your audience with care and underlines the virtues of writing
with a specific audience in mind, the Writer's Style Guide available
at http://www.cmu.edu/styleguide/
helps you identify a writing style appropriate to a generic
audience. Of course, the references to Carnegie Mellon University
and the corresponding guidelines are for their "intended"
audience:) and should not be used!
What?
You are still wondering where the guidelines are?! The traditional
left side menu in mauve is the one that you should explore!
All the best!
August 2006
- http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/
gives you an opportunity to review your language and make it
better. This excellent and extremely relevant grammar help is
a fantastic place to find little rules that fit nicely into
the microscopic time pockets we find in our packed schedules.
If you don't have it in your favorites already, please add it
now.
July 2006
- The article, "STYLE IN BUSINESS WRITING" at http://www.uoregon.edu/~ddusseau/101/199/style.html
opens with a stark yellow background, which may motivate you
to escape; yet the content here makes a lot of sense. It seems
business writing style is not much different from technical
writing. Use short sentences (businessmen are busy people,)
simple sentences, use active voice...so what else is new? To
find out, click the link given above.
- I read this excellent review of JK Rowling's writing style
at http://www.epinions.com/content_84904611460
and felt that I should share it with you. Did you like it? Oh,
you did. Well, here's another one...http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/printed-books/harry-potter-series-j-k-rowling-in-general/1022317/
Anything as subjective as writing style can be interpreted in a
thousand different ways. So if your current reviewer is not happy
with your style, don't worry. Who knows, your next reviewer may
fall head-over-heels in love with it!
June 2006
- The subjectivity that envelops writing style leads to a lot
of pain when the reviews come in. The article, "Style"
at http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/style.html
provides some simple pointers to help us write better English.
- "How to write with style" at http://www.harmonize.com/PROBE/Aids/manual/style.htm
is an excellent, highly readable article by Kurt Vonnegut, a
novelist. I guess the article sounds so fresh, because Mr. Vonnegut
takes his own advice "sound like yourself"! I quote
him - "I myself grew up in Indianapolis, where common speech
sounds like a band saw cutting galvanized tin, and employs a
vocabulary as unornamental as a monkey wrench." Well, a
band saw cutting galvanized tin can make music too! Think about
it:-)
May 2006
- In the past, I've provided some links to the APA writing
style guidelines. Here's one for the MLA (No! not that one!)
writing style guidelines. Click on http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html
to get some tips. The hard copy edition of the guidelines costs
US$25.00. I think the citation guidelines provided on this page
are extremely helpful. You can find out more about MLA at http://www.mla.org/
- "A woman without her man is nothing." / "A
woman without her man, is nothing" - What? Of course, it's
not my creativity. I am just quoting from http://www.engl.niu.edu/comskills/students/editing/Joy.html
where it's been used to make a point about punctuation. The
point is made...and understood; yet punctuation is not. Check
out the link above to understand commas, semicolons, colons,
parenthesis, and dashes & hyphens!
April 2006
- At http://www.engageinteractive.com/mambo/index.php?
option=content&task=view&id=3675 you will find crisp
guidelines for English used in eLearning content creation.
- http://www.bu.edu/cdaly/hyper.html
is another good link. "Introduction to Hypertext Writing
Style" by Christopher B. Daly, provides clear guidelines
for creating crisp and effective content for the web.
- Did you know about the two styles of writing? The traditional
pyramid style of writing is one where you lay the foundation
of your content first, then gradually build the article towards
its conclusion, while the inverted pyramid style is the one
that is most used on the web and even by the media. In this
style of writing you begin with the conclusion; then build your
article by providing supporting information about what led to
the conclusion. "Inverted Pyramids in Cyberspace"
by Jake Nielson at http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9606.html,
is an interesting article that brings into focus the use of
inverted pyramid approach in writing for the web.
March 2006
- While writing scientific content it becomes almost essential
to ensure that your writing is clear and precise. "Technical
Writing" by Ronald B. Standler at http://www.rbs0.com/tw.htm
is an article that will help steer your writing in the correct
direction. I particularly like the "use of numbers in sentences"
and "equations in text" sections. I hope you will
find this article useful.
- At http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~hgs/etc/writing-style.html
you will find the article "Writing Technical Articles",
which you will find useful if you are frequently engaged in
authoring technical articles. "The paper structure"
section provides guidelines that can be used while writing any
short essay based on research. The "Bibliography"
section consolidates a short dos-and-don'ts list, which is quite
impressive.
- If you ever find yourself creating content related to religion,
remember to check out http://www-relg-studies.scu.edu/facstaff/murphy/courses/style-sheet.htm.
It's always best to tread cautiously and not commit errors while
working with content of religious nature. This link guides you
through five different sections, which include formatting, adding
notes, the language and grammar to be used, and standard abbreviations.
Of course, some of the guidelines listed here are of general
use too.
- This is probably one of the best language learning resources
on the Internet. Click on http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/index.html
to access Jack Lynch's "Guide to Grammar and Style."
February 2006
- If you feel that you write well and that your grammar is fantastic,
but your editor habitually sends you documents madly track-changed;
click on http://www.sourceaid.com/reference/pdf/effective-writing.pdf
to download a pdf that lists examples and non-examples of effective
writing. It may make your writing more convincing, comprehendible
(?), easy to read, interesting, and emphatic. Wow! What more
do you want? You are on your way to becoming the next Dan Brown!
- Here's a beautifully written, highly readable article about
workplace writing. "Effective Writing For the Workplace"
by Claire E. White at http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/cew1.htm
answers some of the questions that often come up during business
writing. It's a short article that you can print and read at
your leisure.
January 2006
- If you click on http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~wilkins/writing/Supp/dazzle.html
you will arrive at a page that lists the various dos and don'ts
of scientific presentation preparation (Dazzle 'em with Style:
The Art of Oral Scientific Presentation by Robert R H Anholt).
I think this is a great page to save in your favorites if you
deal with scientific/technical content on and off. Those who
work in the training industry could also pick a few smart tips
from this page.
- http://www.dartmouth.edu/~webteach/articles/text.html
provides you some tips to create engaging web content. The article
gives a concise summary of the important factors to be considered
for chunking content (access, page length, and printing) while
noting the issues that are associated with it (fragmentation,
redundancy, excessive linking.) I think it's a simple but good
link for any one who is beginning web writing.
- If you too have been troubled by the question – “what
is simple language,” you should click on http://www.gopdg.com/plainlanguage/intro.html
to find out. This page begins with a short reflective introduction
on the "variability" of plain language, then goes
on to outline a process for ensuring that your writing is clear
and plain for your audience. My favorite section is "Writing
Guidelines," which lists some crystal clear guidelines
for crystal clear writing!
~~~~~~ 2005 ~~~~~~
December 2005
- When I came across the article "Just Say No to Dead
Fragments" at http://www.clickz.com/experts/archives/design/write_onl/article.php/838871
by Nick Usborne, I couldn't stop myself from including it in
Wavelength. This article talks about the dry and dusty sentences
that are left of the beautifully lively and lovely language,
when content returns from the "operation theatre"
of usability and readability reviews.
- I do not deny that these reviews are important, but I am
strongly opposed to treating all audiences alike. I am also
opposed to blindly toeing the guidelines, without reviewing
whether they actually apply or not. So what if a site or a piece
of content has a Gunning Fog Index of 17, it is possible that
it is targeted to an intellectually elite audience. If we let
instructional design drive eLearning technology we will seldom
go wrong!
- Visit http://www.webfoot.com/advice/email.top.html#intro
for some useful information on email writing style. I think
it is an extremely useful guide for all those who have not written
many formal emails. It differentiates between acceptable and
unacceptable salutations, gestures, signatures, and so on. While
you are at this site, also check out http://www.webfoot.com/advice/email.jargon.html?Email
for some interesting and useful acronyms. Incidentally, a client
who had written "LOL" to me would be happy to know
that I've "finally" discovered what she meant. Thanks:-)
November 2005
- Here's an extremely useful link for all those who wish to
write better. It begins by defining "style," talks
about appropriate tone, then moves on to wordiness, verbs, and
"ostentatious erudition" (Yes, that is what they call
it!) Click on http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/style.html
to understand and appreciate your reviewer.
- The scope of Instructional Design is still very nebulous.
Especially in India, where some clients expect you to be a mélange
of instructional designer, SME, technical writer, and editor...all
rolled into one. This particular link may provide armor to those
bravehearts who are planning to don this prickly mantle! Check
out the Proof Reading Process section of the page http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/style.html
October 2005
- Have you ever been in a quandary about how you should dress
your language when you are writing a teacher's guide; what your
language should don when you are writing formal presentation
papers; or what should it sport while writing a dialog? If so,
shop for your language-style at http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/index.shtml.
"Traci's Lists of Ten" doesn't just have a lot of
information on writing styles; it provides you an indication
of how creative you can be while designing assignments (check
out - http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/012.shtml
for some very creative writing assignments.)
- Here's a site that you should add to your favorites. It doesn't
matter whether you are a project manager, a team leader, an
instructional designer, a graphic designer, or even a programmer;
there is no reason why you should not understand and avoid plagiarism.
Here's the URL to a Plagiarism resources site, that I think
can be of immense help to all those who work in the eLearning
industry. http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2003/june4/
plagiarismcyberplagiarism.htm
September 2005
- In this article "GUIDELINES ON STYLE FOR SCIENTIFIC WRITING"
Will G Hopkins PhD, provides a crisp and concise summary of
the rules that should be applied for scientific writing. These
rules can be very useful for IDs who frequently create content
of scientific nature. The "FONTS & SYMBOLS" section
is especially useful. Click on http://www.sportsci.org/jour/9901/wghstyle.html
and save it in your favorites.
- Check out http://www.hamilton.edu/writing/style/default.html
to refresh your writing style. I would like to recommend a quick
tour of this URL when you are changing projects. It often happens
that when we work with tightly enforced project-specific style
guidelines, our writing style changes, and this changed style
stays with us even when we move on to another project. This
article called "Essentials of Writing," will help
your writing shed the previous project's style cloak and don
the new one with ease.
- A special link in the above article is http://www.hamilton.edu/writing/style/plagiarism/plagiarism.html
I wish such honor codes will soon become part of our educational
system as well.
August 2005
- "Each" or "every"; should it be "either"
or "neither"? The course has to be uploaded in 10
minutes, and you aren’t sure!! Fret not my friend, for
here’s an online grammar resource for crisis management.
Check out
http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/toc.cfm
and add it to your favorites.
- If you don't have a style manual handy, don't worry. Save
http://www.colorado.edu/Publications/styleguide/index.html
in your favorites. It can help you in troubled times. I would
like to draw your attention specifically to http://www.colorado.edu/Publications/styleguide/inclusive.html.
It is a short and crisp reading on the six major factors that
constitute inclusive language.
July 2005
- This is one of the best links on "Errors in English"
that I've ever come across. Check out http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html.
This wonderful repository of mistakes that Americans make while
speaking English, is an eye opener. Paul Brians' answers to
the questions asked by his enthusiastic readers, is also an
interesting read. Click on http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/.
- Your course went to the reviewer and it came back with "Great
Work!" written across it. You celebrated it with "Samosas"
and "Chai"; came back to your seat; sent the script
to the American Editor; and went home happy and content. The
next morning you received a wounded and bleeding script, slashed
and hacked all over. You had used slang...and you didn't know
they were slang! Has it ever happened to you? If it hasn't...or
even if it has...add http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wrader/slang/
to your favorites. Become "Slang-proof"!
June 2005
- The URL http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_computer.html
provides Some basics of using computers for visualizing and
writing. This URL addresses queries that most of the dewy-fresh
instructional designers would entertain, when they first begin
to use the word processor for writing.
- Who doesn't want to write well? But when it comes down to
actually putting words on paper, only few are able to ignite
the imagination of their readers. Why so? Is there a magic wand
to help us cast the spell - Spell Bindaudience! (A shoddy imitation
of Ms. Rowling's writing, such as this, will repel audience
instead of winning them... I wish I had the magic wand too!)
Please check out http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_ws.html
to read about the "principles" of good writing and
review the obstacles to be surmounted!
May 2005
- Hackers are different from us. They are so different that
they even have their own writing style! I can see those raised
eyebrows through the veneer of these lines...you are on the
verge of exclaiming - "Ridiculous!" Stop right there
and check this out - http://eps.mcgill.ca/jargon/html/Hacker-Writing-Style.html.
.
- I found this really effective and elegant article about writing
style at http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/style.html.
It begins by underlining the pain of review comments, and then
proceeds to give some extremely useful suggestions on how you
can improve your writing.
April 2005
- When you are writing to publish on net, there are a few guidelines
that you'd do well to follow. Often we tend to overlook these...causing
confusion without knowing why. Please check http://www.faqs.org/faqs/usenet/writing-style/part1/.
- I implore you to add http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml#
to your favorites (if it isn't already there.) This site provides
guidelines on various issues such as using quotation, citations,
writing style, grammar, and so on. There is a lot of information
here that can be referred to in times of doubt.
March 2005
- Writing for the web needs brevity and clarity – a fact
easily ignored by those of us whose zeal to write exceeds their
zeal to communicate. In this short and interesting article,
Kathy Henning gives us 10 simple rules that can help us communicate
with the “web-scanners.” http://www.clickz.com/experts/archives/design/onl_edit/article.php/836621.
- In his guide on technical writing, Ronald B. Standler gives
some crisp rules that can make technical writing simpler and
easier to understand. You can find some easy to implement rules
about use of numbers, equations, hyphens, and other such teasers
at http://www.rbs0.com/tw.htm.
- If you’ve ever been stumped by the question –
“should I capitalize it?” I implore you to take
a look at this. The capitalization question always harries me
and I know it will continue to forever, but I am going to take
these few basic rules seriously and try to make life a little
easier for my language editor. If you too are feeling philanthropic
today, visit:
http://englishplus.com/grammar/captcont.htm.
February 2005
- This guide to writing by Jack Lynch is simply awesome. It’s
not just the content that will keep you grounded; Mr. Lynch’s
writing style follows his own recommendations – his writing
is alive and interactive; his examples are pertinent and useful!
Check it out yourself at http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/
- Quoting from online resources can be tricky, but we have to
do it very often, especially when we are developing content
for online delivery. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/cgos/idx_basic.html
has some elementary information that can help us.
January 2005
- Check the following URL for “Element of Style”
by William Strunk, Jr. If you are some one who prefers spicy
to sweet, your taste buds are in for a treat. At www.bartleby.com/141/
you will find his lectures that were consolidated by a student,
to make sure that Strunk’s whip of perfect style struck
every one. If you are serious about working on your writing
style, this URL will keep you occupied this month. It still
is my favorite haunt.
- If you haven’t written much, I am sure you must be
experiencing the sinking feeling that most of us get when we
are starting…when your fingers won’t unclench, the
letters on the screen would blur, slide, and bob; and when you
would hope that you could find that one sentence that will lead
to a masterpiece. Are you? Because if you are, I have a small
suggestion: Write your diary for at least 10 minutes every day.
Additionally, visit http://www.school-for-champions.com/writing.htm
for some wonderful tips on how to begin writing.
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