Top Ten Tips - Punch Up Your Writing
By Tip Diva | Dec 04, 2007
Categories: Blogging, Creativity, Editing, Education, Grammar, Internet, Proofreading, Spelling, Stories, Tips, Web, Websites, Writing
Whether you blog, write stories or compose letters, changing a few words or sentences can make your work go from blah to hurrah! Here are some tips on how to add spice to your words:
- Use A Thesaurus - Nothing pollutes writing like dull or overused words. One that comes to mind is said. How about cried, pointed out, or uttered instead? Thesaurus.com is your friend, pal, buddy, chum, comrade and crony.
- Beware Of Repetition - This is another situation where a thesaurus comes in handy. For instance, you’ve discovered that you used the word project six times in only three paragraphs. How about substituting words like venture or scheme for two or three of those instances?
- Make Sure You Are Using The Correct Word - Your project may not be a game plan or a proposal, like the thesaurus suggests. Likewise, infuriated may be too strong to describe a certain type of anger. When in doubt, check Dictionary.com.
- Lay Off The Cliches - Been there, read that. Here’s a good compilation of commonly used cliches.
- Be Agressive About Passives - Passive sentences are not as strong as active sentences. Which sounds better: The ball was kicked by Bobby or Bobby kicked the ball? Sometimes the passive voice is unavoidable, but use sparingly.
- Be Descriptive - The more details you provide, the more your writing comes alive. If you were angry at the store clerk today, describe why. Did she overcharge you? Did she ignore you when you asked her a question? Let your readers feel angry along with you. Remember: who, what, where, why, when and how.
- Avoid Slang - Unless it is necessary to your story, abstain from using slang. First, not all readers will know what the slang signifies. And never, ever use Netlingo like ur and lol. You’ll sound like a pre-teen in an Internet chat room.
- Tie Up Loose Threads - Proofread your work for missing details, word and sentence flow and transitions. Pronouns are especially important; the reader will want to know who he, she, it and some are.
- Read And Reread - Check for spelling, grammar, syntax and all of the above suggestions at least twice. And don’t just rely on your word processor’s spell-check and grammar-check functions!
- Don’t Try So Hard - If you become too obsessive about your work, like adding details or using “big” words, it may come across as over-the-top. Have someone else proofread your work and tell you where you can tone things down.
What are some of your best tips for making your writing the best it could be?
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