Become a better writer, and it doesn't take much!
Jan 23, 2015 14:29:05 GMT -6
bonhommearmonica, Glencairn, and 2 more like this
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2015 14:29:05 GMT -6
How would you like to be a better writer?
Do you know that your choice in little things, like the date or how and when you abbreviate, can mark you clearly for others as skilled or 'just managing' to make it in your writing? Were you also aware that small handbooks exist, in very easily read formats, to solve those problems before they become one?
Well, they sure DO! There are two books I would like to share with you today, and they are both critically important to professional writing or just writing in an environment of professional and educated people. They each serve different purposes, yet work to help you reach the same point in the end.
The first book I'd like to share is called "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White. In writing circles, this may simply be referred to as 'Strunk & White'. That should be enough for most to know what you are talking about, at that level.
I have taken a couple specific examples to show what Strunk and White covers, along with a bit of the index to show the scope and value of it.
Ever had issues with the Comma? I know I have, and its proper usage is something I am still training myself with after a lifetime of simply not knowing the particulars of the 'rules' for where and how it works...or more to the point, doesn't work.
How about a bit of quick reference, located in the rear, for commonly misspelled words? They have that too!
The full list is a bit longer of course, but that is the idea. Elements of Style is the ultimate quick reference for the little things we all learned in school, but forgot a good % of when it wasn't needed for a class grade or assigned paper any longer. Well, most of us here are writers to one level or another. In that way? This handbook is priceless.
(It retails for about $10 at Barnes and Noble)
That is the first book, and these are both more 'handbooks' than large books, really. (About 5x7 inches on Strunk & White, and it won't quite fit in a pocket, but fits nicely in almost anything else)
The second book I would like to share is more specific on particular points. It helps to correct things that stand out as technical errors. Unlike the above with style and basic rules of English writing, this next one deals with things more learned than intuitively understood. I use it more than I thought I would when I first bought it.
Do you know that your choice in little things, like the date or how and when you abbreviate, can mark you clearly for others as skilled or 'just managing' to make it in your writing? Were you also aware that small handbooks exist, in very easily read formats, to solve those problems before they become one?
Well, they sure DO! There are two books I would like to share with you today, and they are both critically important to professional writing or just writing in an environment of professional and educated people. They each serve different purposes, yet work to help you reach the same point in the end.
The first book I'd like to share is called "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White. In writing circles, this may simply be referred to as 'Strunk & White'. That should be enough for most to know what you are talking about, at that level.
I have taken a couple specific examples to show what Strunk and White covers, along with a bit of the index to show the scope and value of it.
Ever had issues with the Comma? I know I have, and its proper usage is something I am still training myself with after a lifetime of simply not knowing the particulars of the 'rules' for where and how it works...or more to the point, doesn't work.
4. Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause.
The early records of the city have disappeared, and the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.
Sentences of this type, isolated from their context, may seem to be in need ofrewriting. As they make complete sense when the comma is reached, the secondclause has the appearance of an after-thought. Further, and, is the least specific of connectives. Used between independent clauses, it indicates only that a relation exists between them without defining that relation. In the example above, the relationis that of cause and result. The two sentences might be rewritten:
As the early records of the city have disappeared, the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. Although the situation is perilous, there is still one chance of escape.
Or the subordinate clauses might be replaced by phrases:
Owing to the disappearance of the early records of the city,the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed.In this perilous situation, there is still one chance of escape.
How about a bit of quick reference, located in the rear, for commonly misspelled words? They have that too!
VI. WORDS OFTEN MISSPELLED
accidentally formerly privilege advice humorous pursue affect hypocrisy repetition beginning immediately rhyme believe incidentally rhythm
The full list is a bit longer of course, but that is the idea. Elements of Style is the ultimate quick reference for the little things we all learned in school, but forgot a good % of when it wasn't needed for a class grade or assigned paper any longer. Well, most of us here are writers to one level or another. In that way? This handbook is priceless.
(It retails for about $10 at Barnes and Noble)
That is the first book, and these are both more 'handbooks' than large books, really. (About 5x7 inches on Strunk & White, and it won't quite fit in a pocket, but fits nicely in almost anything else)
The second book I would like to share is more specific on particular points. It helps to correct things that stand out as technical errors. Unlike the above with style and basic rules of English writing, this next one deals with things more learned than intuitively understood. I use it more than I thought I would when I first bought it.
You're not a reporter and have no interest in writing like an Associated Press story, you say? Well good. I don't much care for the specific style the AP material is written with myself. However, that isn't what the book is about. Here are a couple samples to give an idea...
I have also included a website that gives a better overview with more detail on what the AP book contains and how it is best used. Also, the site I'm giving here, in itself, is one of the more valuable resources a dedicated writer can have for specific writing styles (AP, MLA, Chicago..etc) as well as helpful tips and information about all aspects of putting thoughts to paper.
OWL - Purdue University / Associated Press Style summary
The cost on this is similar to the first one and runs around $10 on Amazon and elsewhere. The one I have is a pretty spiral version that opens and sits flat. It is 2008, but things do not change all that much on the basics of how to write a military rank abbreviation or how to properly format and write all manner of dates, for instance. It is laid out in a nice alphabetical order and similar to a dictionary in that way (Date can be found under D, while Military Rank is under M).
I was introduced to the first one by a Dr. at the campus as I moved into serious writing, and where the readers would know the difference between skill and simple enthusiasm which lacks it. The AP Style book was a required item in my Intro to Journalism class and became the subject of quiz material on a regular basis. In fact, we were encouraged to just flip through it when we find ourselves bored, as he described reporters he worked with doing. Anything to maintain the ultimate edge over competition and maintain credibility with a reading audience.
Normal folks won't likely notice or care about a fair % of what these deal with, and it really isn't for that audience. People who do care are the ones it matters to get it right with and can choose to read or avoid a writer, as I learned, based largely on impression of ability. These style books are where the ability is gauged from. In the case of the AP book, it is an industry standard for reference and universal conformity of writing norms.
Anyway..I hope this was helpful and if so? I have some more things I can share over time. Other sites, resources and training opportunities in not only writing, but research and assembling material. What I have to share is free, or very low cost at the source. So give a yell if this is more than nifty in a passing way!
OWL - Purdue University / Associated Press Style summary
The cost on this is similar to the first one and runs around $10 on Amazon and elsewhere. The one I have is a pretty spiral version that opens and sits flat. It is 2008, but things do not change all that much on the basics of how to write a military rank abbreviation or how to properly format and write all manner of dates, for instance. It is laid out in a nice alphabetical order and similar to a dictionary in that way (Date can be found under D, while Military Rank is under M).
I was introduced to the first one by a Dr. at the campus as I moved into serious writing, and where the readers would know the difference between skill and simple enthusiasm which lacks it. The AP Style book was a required item in my Intro to Journalism class and became the subject of quiz material on a regular basis. In fact, we were encouraged to just flip through it when we find ourselves bored, as he described reporters he worked with doing. Anything to maintain the ultimate edge over competition and maintain credibility with a reading audience.
Normal folks won't likely notice or care about a fair % of what these deal with, and it really isn't for that audience. People who do care are the ones it matters to get it right with and can choose to read or avoid a writer, as I learned, based largely on impression of ability. These style books are where the ability is gauged from. In the case of the AP book, it is an industry standard for reference and universal conformity of writing norms.
Anyway..I hope this was helpful and if so? I have some more things I can share over time. Other sites, resources and training opportunities in not only writing, but research and assembling material. What I have to share is free, or very low cost at the source. So give a yell if this is more than nifty in a passing way!
