Writing
From HowTo.Lifehack
There are no rules to writing. But there are some guidelines that can improve your communication. Here are the basics:
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[edit] Active Voice
Use an active voice with your writing. Brains are hardwired to understand an active voice better than a passive one. Read the following sentences and tell me which one is easier to understand.
"Johnny threw the ball." "The ball was thrown by Johnny."
Not only is the first sentence shorter, it takes less time to decipher. With the active voice, the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. With the passive voice, the subject receives the action.
This problem is more common with new writers who want to sound more intelligent by muddling their sentences with the passive voice. Instead, only clarity is sacrificed.
[edit] Concise
Shorter sentences are easier to understand. Don't put several ideas into one sentence when you can break it up. Same for paragraphs. Don't write huge chunks of text if you don't have to.
Reduce adjectives and adverbs in your writing.
"I was happy." "I was very happy."
The 'very' in the second sentence doesn't add anything. It doesn't give any new information. If you want to demonstrate that you were more than just 'happy' use the word 'ecstatic,' 'enthusiastic,' or 'gushing.'
[edit] Don't Overuse Words
Using the same words repeatedly loses their punch. Read over any articles you write to see if the same words used to describe or add meaning are overused. Use synonyms to make your descriptions more varied.
Be careful you don't overuse words that are close to the subject of your article. Although I'll need to use the word "writing" repeatedly in this article, I limit myself to keep from restating the obvious. Notice the opening sentence for this section wasn't, "Writing the same words repeatedly loses their punch."
[edit] Be Cheap, Limit $10 Words
Ten dollar words won't make you look smarter. Just because you've memorized your copy of Websters, doesn't mean you should use a big word when simpler terms will work. In that last sentence I could have said, "simpler terms will suffice," but I didn't.
Know your audience. If you are writing to the masses, avoid complex language. If you are writing to programmers, terms like polymorphism and inheritance are fine even if you wouldn't write them to your grandmother. Professors and academics should have a higher tolerance for big words, but budget yourself or you may be difficult to understand.
[edit] Visual Layout
An important, but often neglected, aspect of writing is the visual layout. If you are writing a term paper or novel, you might not have much choice. But bloggers and those in charge of their own publications can control the visual style of the piece.
In my experience good visual layouts:
- Are consistent. If you start using headings for sections, don't stop midway through an article. Your layout should have a rhythm to it.
- Highlight the important. Use headings or topic sentences to emphasize the important ideas. Optimize your content so that it is easy to scan.
- Use negative space. Whitespace, and breaks in the flow of content are important markers. If your content is a constant flow, the reader may skim over it.
[edit] Opening and Closing
First and last words are the most important. Your first words should indicate the purpose of the entire paragraph. Don't force readers through a long paragraph just to get the general idea.
The last words in the sentence create impact. There is a pause right after a period. Don't use a passive voice, but give importance to the last word.
[edit] Use Examples to Enhance, Not Just Explain
Good metaphors should fuse ideas together. Laying one idea on top of another, it shouldn't just create comparisons, but a deeper understanding.
When I wrote a book on changing habits, one example I used to explain how habits work is a path carved in the snow. When the snow is fresh, it takes effort to carve through the first steps. But after it compresses, the path becomes the only viable route in the falling snow.
This is a useful metaphor, easily visible and relates to common experiences. But I believe it is a particularly good metaphor because it allows further comparisons that I don't mention. The snowfall metaphor can also describe how if a habit does not get used, like a path filling with snow, it will become harder to use again. This also accounts for why it is difficult to change a habit when another is firmly in place.
The same is true of examples. They shouldn't just prove your point. Examples should go deeper, allowing the readers thought processes to fill in more supporting arguments you don't even mention. By doing this you can save space but still create an impact with your writing.
[edit] Logic
Emotional appeals work, but they aren't enough. The best way to persuade is to use emotional appeals but also convince readers that your arguments are logical. If the reader doesn't follow with your reasoning processes, you won't convince them.
Logical writing starts with logical thinking. Understanding your own thought processes. Realize which are sound arguments and which are faulty. Then learn to write down your reasoning process in a clear fashion so you can guide others to the same conclusions you made.
Remember, all writing is persuasive writing. Communication is persuasion and information. Be clear, be logical and make sense.
