How to quit sucking at writing?
September 30, 2014 9:21 AM Subscribe
What resources are available to make me a stronger writer (marketing/communications)?
I am looking at a new position starting in January which entails writing PR, brochures, web content. I am not a strong writer. Are there any certification programs for this? Any online classes? I am not looking for university courses. Anyone had any luck with this?
I am looking at a new position starting in January which entails writing PR, brochures, web content. I am not a strong writer. Are there any certification programs for this? Any online classes? I am not looking for university courses. Anyone had any luck with this?
Seconding Elements of Style. It's essential.
Also, follow George Orwell's 5 rules for writing well (found in his essay "Politics And The English Language"):
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
posted by Amy NM at 10:20 AM on September 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Also, follow George Orwell's 5 rules for writing well (found in his essay "Politics And The English Language"):
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
posted by Amy NM at 10:20 AM on September 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Sorry, I should have included this link to an explanation of the passive/active voice in my earlier post.
posted by Amy NM at 10:23 AM on September 30, 2014
posted by Amy NM at 10:23 AM on September 30, 2014
You mention university classes -- do you live near a university? If so, check out their bulletin boards for advertisements for writing tutors. Or check Craigslist for the same. Working one-on-one with someone will likely be the fastest way to improve.
Also, make sure you're reading good writing on a regular basis.
posted by jaguar at 11:46 AM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, make sure you're reading good writing on a regular basis.
posted by jaguar at 11:46 AM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, make sure you're reading good writing on a regular basis.
I came here to say this too. It's nearly impossible to be a good writer if you are not a reader of a large quantity of good writing by others.
posted by aught at 12:29 PM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I came here to say this too. It's nearly impossible to be a good writer if you are not a reader of a large quantity of good writing by others.
posted by aught at 12:29 PM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
Thirding just doing a lot of reading of good writing.
Also, if you don't already, brainstorm your ideas (or use comparable invention technique) and then ORGANIZE THEM IN AN OUTLINE BEFORE YOU WRITE. I both see and do a lot of writing, and a huge contributing factor to poor writing is lack of clarity/lack of substance in the underlying ideas.
posted by Bardolph at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2014
Also, if you don't already, brainstorm your ideas (or use comparable invention technique) and then ORGANIZE THEM IN AN OUTLINE BEFORE YOU WRITE. I both see and do a lot of writing, and a huge contributing factor to poor writing is lack of clarity/lack of substance in the underlying ideas.
posted by Bardolph at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by PickeringPete at 9:58 AM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]