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.)
| About The Author
Rix Quinn writes the nationally
syndicated weekly humor column "Poor
Rix's Almanac."
His book Words That Stick is available
from your local bookstore, or from
Amazon.com.
He can be reached by phone at 817-920-7999.
Copyright 2005 Rix Quinn Communications,
LLC
rixquinn@charter.net
|
This article was posted on March 24,
2005
