Should you use action verbs when writing your procedures, for example, click, run, open, or use different phrasing? A lot of this has to do with your reader. Or to be more precise what the reader is doing WHEN they are reading your procedure. Imagine for a second that the reader has printed out your […]
My wee brain is very slow to start in the mornings. Typing is not easy. Neither is thinking. Video – Daily Writing Routine Warm Up Writing Exercises So, how do you start to write first thing in the morning. Here’s a few ways: Decide on a specific target, say 100 words. Identify the topic the […]
Maybe you think Jane Austen is hard to read. She’s not. Here’s an example of her writing. Most are from Persuasion. “Let us never underestimate the power of a well-written letter.” “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be […]
Summary: Writer’s Block is a result of poor planning and feeling overwhelmed as a result. Here’s how to overcome writer’s block and ensure your success in exams. If you find yourself struggling to write your term paper, prepare a report, or some other writing assignment, the following might help. Here’s the problem. When we think […]
Do you consider yourself a web writer or a blogger? Is there even any difference? I suspect for most people it means that same thing, but I’m not so sure. I asked a blogger here in Dublin if he saw himself as a writer who blogs, a writer, or a web writer? Or was I […]
Summary: Understanding the structure, format, and writing style will help you craft a more compelling executive summary. Feeling stuck? Can’t start your executive summary? Clock is tick, tick, ticking? They say you should write your executive summary AFTER you’ve written the entire document. I’m not sure about this. Why? If you do, there’s the risk […]
Proof-reading. A bit like flossing your teeth, isn’t it? You know it’s good for you, you know you should do it, but you still don’t want to do it. Why is proofreading so hard? I think it’s the approach we take. For example, if you leave the proof-reading to the very end, you’ll probably be […]
One of the problems of reviewing a document online is that you need a common set of guidelines. In theory a style guide should do this but I often find that people tend to avoid them. They’re too much work. A more practical approach is to create a checklist of the most important things they […]
Should you learn a dead language? Isn’t there more important things to do? The short answer is Yes. Well, maybe. Actually, No. You really should start learning Latin and here’s why. The Spectator summarising one influential American study carried out in the state of Iowa: “In 1971, more than 4,000 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade pupils of […]
Want to get started as a white paper writer? It mightn’t be as hard as you think. If you have good (not necessarily perfect) writing skills, in-depth knowledge of a product, service, or industry, and have the right attitude, then maybe you should consider writing white papers to earn extra income. Due to the recession […]
First, think of the response you want from the reader. Second, put the most important point at the start. Third, highlight one thing only. The problem with most subject lines in emails is that they’re written either: As a placeholder, something to put in while you write the actual email After the email is written […]
If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking… made. Why do I say this? Because if you are a ‘born writer’, and have written from a very early age as most do, you’d feel that most writers are born, not made. You either have it or you don’t. But it this true? I hate to say it […]
