WritingTips
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Content inserted. (143 Occurances) |
Content structure inserted. (199 Occurances) |
Here are some ideas for content that could be included as part of the Writing Tips feature.
Lisa: If we're going to link out to other sites we'll need to consider the issue of link verification. Is there a way for the game to check that a link doesn't return an error code before using a tip from that source?
Lisa: We could make the tips self contained within the system with a "source" link at the bottom. This will look tidier and more appealing, will still allow us to attribute credit, deals with problem that not every tip has it's own unique URI, and broken links will be less intrusive.
Title: Respect your audience
URL: http://www.writersblock.ca/tips/monthtip/tipjan98.htm
Redux: Provide evidence that allows the reader to draw his/her own
conclusion. Avoid making value judgements. Don't use the
superior "we" e.g. We can now see that, We
recommend.
Type: Journalism, Fiction
Title: Eliminate unnecessary words
URL: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/art-of-writing/
Redux: Cut words like very, really, actually, and extremely. They
do not make your writing more forceful, they only get in the
way.
Type: All types
Title: Write with passion
URL: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/art-of-writing/
Redux: If you're not excited about your work, no one else will
be.
Type: All types
Title: Paint a picture
URL:http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/art-of-writing/
Redux: When you wan tot capture attention use similes, metaphors,
and vivid imagery to create an emotional response.
Type: All types
Title: Less is more.
URL: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/art-of-writing/
Redux: The objective is not to fill as many pages as possible.
it's more difficult (and more effective) to be concise.
Type: All types
Title: Just start.
URL: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/art-of-writing/
Redux: Beginning is the hardest part. Don't agonize, just start
writing. There will time to revise and polish.
Type: All types
Title: Write all the time.
URL: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/art-of-writing/
Redux: Quantity produces quality. Even short amounts of free time
can be productive, you don't need to wait for a long
uninterrupted period.
Type: All types
Title: Begin with one grain of sand
URL: http://www.editorialservice.com/11ways.html
Redux: Before you start to write identify the single idea
you're trying to get across. Jot it down in one sentence on a
note pad next to your computer. If you were writing a news story
this would be the headline.
Type: Essays, Journalism, Business writing
Title: Develop a ritual
URL: http://www.editorialservice.com/11ways.html
Redux: Athletes develop rituals that prime their brains to perform.
You can develop rituals that put you in the mood to write. It could
be a place, an item of clothing, or a favourite pen, or whatever
woks for you.
Type: All types
Title: Give the reader a map
URL: http://www.editorialservice.com/11ways.html
Redux: Paragraphs, bullets, and subheadings are signposts that help
the reader organize information. Start a new paragraph as often as
it is logically possible.
Type: Business writing, Journalism, Writing for the web
Title: Be active
URL: http://www.editorialservice.com/11ways.html
Redux: Write in the active voice. When you write in the passive
voice you may appear to be avoiding responsibility, or putting your
readers to sleep.
Type: All types
Title: Read out loud
URL: http://www.editorialservice.com/11ways.html
Redux: Read your writing out loud to yourself. Ask yourself if you
would say to your reader what you are writing. Wherever your
writing is stuffy, wordy, or impersonal, rewrite it.
Type: All types
Title: Reward yourself
URL: http://gradschool.about.com/cs/thesiswriting/a/diss_2.htm
Redux: Give yourself some incentive. Establish a system of rewards
for completing each discrete task that you set for yourself. Make
sure you complete the task before rewarding yourself.
Type: All types
Title: Breaking through writer's block
URL: http://gradschool.about.com/cs/thesiswriting/a/diss_2.htm
Redux: When it its difficult to write you can talk your ideas
through with someone else, or just out loud to yourself. Write out
your thoughts without criticizing them, then edit
extensively.
Type: All types
Title: Writing is rewriting
URL:http://gradschool.about.com/cs/thesiswriting/a/diss_2.htm
Redux: Writing is a time consuming process. No draft will be
perfect the first time around. Expect to write several drafts
before you produce a satisfactory version.
Type: All types
Title: Get some perspective
URL: http://gradschool.about.com/cs/thesiswriting/a/diss_2.htm
Redux: Once you feel comfortable with a particular draft of your
work, take some time away from it. After a few days reread the
section and edit again with a fresh perspective.
Type: All types
Title: Hook your reader
URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/howtowrite/novel.shtml
Redux: Use crisp and unassuming language. Don't make the reader
reach for the dictionary.
Type: Journalism, Business writing, Fiction
Title: Mean what you say
URL: Redux: Don't use words unless you are certain of their
meaning. Using a thesaurus to impress your audience can have an
unintended opposite effect.
Type: All types
Title: Check for necessity
URL: http://www.wikihow.com/Write
Redux: Do all of the sections contribute to the main thrust of the
argument or narrative? Eliminate all passages that are not directly
relevant to your main purpose.
Type: All types
Title: Don't rely on spell check
URL: http://www.wikihow.com/Write
Redux: Many words might be spelled correctly, but used in the wrong
context. Proofread your work, and ask someone else to look over the
final copy.
Type: All types
Title: Protect your time
URL: http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/pages/depts/resources/resour_writers/100daysbook/day002.html
Redux: Carve out specific time to write. Set a realistic writing
schedule, and stick to it. "The art of writing is the art of
applying the seat of one's trousers to the seat of one's
chair." - Kingsley Amis
Type: All types
Title: A big finish
URL: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
Redux: Use your conclusion to stress the importance of your main
idea, to give the work a sense of completeness, and to leave a
final impression on your reader. Your conclusion should be the best
part of your essay.
Type: All types
Title: Write what you like
URL: http://www.aresearchguide.com/1steps.html
Redux: Choose a topic which interests and challenges you. Your
attitude towards the topic may well determine the amount of effort
and enthusiasm you put into your research.
Type: All types
Title: Make an outline
URL: http://www.aresearchguide.com/1steps.html
Redux: An outline will help you to think through your topic
carefully and organize it logically before you start writing. make
sure the points covered flow logically from one to the other.
Type: All types
Title: Use topic sentences
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/topic-sentences
Redux: A topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph: it
serves as a mini-thesis for the paragraph. When read in sequence,
your essay's topic sentences will provide a sketch of the
essay's argument.
Type: All types
Title: Start anywhere
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/intros-and-conclusions
Redux: You don't have to write your introduction first. If
you're struggling with it, then switch your focus to another
section. Be aware that you may have to compress or rewrite your
introduction at at later stage.
Type: Essays, Theses
Title: Get to the point
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/intros-and-conclusions
Redux: Get to the point as soon as possible in your introduction.
Generally, you want to raise your topic in your very first
sentences. A common error is to begin too broadly or too far off
topic. Avoid sweeping generalizations.
Type: All types
Title: Leave 'em thinking
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/intros-and-conclusions
Redux: Broaden your focus a bit at the end of the essay. A good
last sentence leaves your reader with something to think about, a
concept in some way illuminated by what you've written in the
paper.
Type: All types
Title: Conclude critically
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/intros-and-conclusions
Redux: The conclusion, like much of the rest of the paper, involves
critical thinking. Reflect upon the significance of what you've
written. Try to convey some closing thoughts about the larger
implications of your argument.
Type: All types
Title:
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/thesis-statements
Redux: A strong thesis statement uses specific argumentative points
rather than sweeping general statements; it indicates a theoretical
basis and promises substantial support.
Type: Essays, Theses
Title: Plan first
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/organizing
Redux: The best time to think about how to organize your paper is
during the pre-writing stage, not the writing or revising stage. A
well thought-out plan allows you to pay more attention to
sentence-level issues when you sit down to write your paper.
Type: All types
Title: Keep careful records
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
Redux: Carefully note all sources as you gather your evidence.
Write down the author, title and URL or publication information.
This is more efficient than having to go back and find citation
details later.
Type: All types
Title: Avoid accidental plagiarism
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
Redux: Don't paste passages from online work directly into your
draft. Keep a separate file for your notes and sources. Use
different formatting to clearly distinguish your own notes and
ideas from those you have copied.
Type: All types
Title: Use your words
URL: http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
Redux: Use direct quotes only when the original words are
especially memorable. In most cases, use your own words to
paraphrase or summarize the idea you want to discuss.
Type: All types
Title: Be prepared
URL: http://www.sfu.ca/philosophy/resources/writing.html
Redux: Before you start to write an essay, you should be able to
state exactly what it is that you are trying to show. Whether you
actually do it in your paper or not, you should be able to state in
a single short sentence precisely what you want to prove.
Type: All types