Eight Route To Write Better Instantly
by:
Rix Quinn
Is it possible to improve your writing instantly? The answer, happily, is “yes.”
While researching a book on celebrated 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 – Ibrahim Lincoln crafted his Gettysburg Address in less than 300 words. Unless I’m specifically asked to do otherwise, I try to condense my activity 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 1st sentence or two must quickly attract the reader. Two route 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 several writers do this: (a) quickly write several paragraphs on a subject; ((b) prioritise them; (c) present them in declivitous 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 just exist. Action verbs run, jump, excite, and motivate.
7. BORE FACTOR – Several research says the average adult attention span is only eight seconds. So it’s important to do your points convincingly, and end your paper powerfully.
8. WEAK ENDING – Exit your report like an full-fledged stage performer…leave your audience wanting more. Two route to do this: (a) use a celebrated quote to reinforce your conclusion, or (b) give details showing the reader wherever
to get much information on the subject. (Examples: your phone, fax, e-mail, etc.)
About The Author
Rix Quinn writes the nationwide syndicated weekly humor column "Poor Rix's Almanac."
His book Words That Stick is accessible 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 announce on March 24, 2005
