The Following are Some Points to be Kept in Mind for Effective Writing
A good write up must flow smoothly and freely, should be knowledgeable, informative and entertaining.
Write Simply: Simplicity is the best way to achieve clarity. Gifted writers take to this method to convey their message. A student, a beginner in the profession of writing, will also find it easy to write in a simple manner.
To be a good writer one must be a good reader. Read something interesting and understand the style of the authors.
The basic blocks of writing are words, sentences and paragraphs.
Use Simple Words: Many people think big or complicated words will impress the reader. In fact it has the opposite effect. “To write clearly, not only the most expressive but the plainest words should be chosen”. It is better to write many instead of numerous and use instead of utilize.
Use Simple Sentences: it is easier to write five simple sentence than one complex or compound sentence. Long winding sentences only distract the reader.
Economise on Words: mostly writers use too many word in their drafts. A careful editor deletes these at the time of editing. (This sentence itself can be written in simpler way.) – “A careful editor edits this out”. There is no substitute for simple, straight forward prose. You should not try to use one ward more than necessary. Be on the look out for phrases, words and sentences that do not add substantially to the content of what you are writing. You should also guard against those fancy phrases which draw attention to the writing and the writer- and take away the content. Do not boast while writing.
Do not use Jargon: Each group of people has a technical language of their own. This is called jargon. You may be using certain abbreviations or names in your schools, sports field or in an office. Scientists do so in their labs. These are jargons. They are understood only by the select group. As a writer, you should not use these. You should rather explain the jargon if you have to use it. Your aim should be to make your message clear to the people who have no direct relationship to such groups. Your writings should not cut people off from receiving your ideas by a language that they cannot understand.
Avoid using overused words or phrases. These are called clichés. A write-up with clichés is not considered good writing. Clichés are so overused that they become trite, tiresome and bereft of any meaning. Some columnists have a tendency to use such clichés and that is why you call their writing boring.
Tie Together – Avoid Jolts: Quite often you might have heard that writing must be well knit. You knit not the words alone but the thoughts as well. Readers should be able to read through a piece of writing without stops and surprises. While introducing a new idea or piece of information, do not do so without tying it to other parts of a story. Springing up with sudden thoughts jolts a reader, and like a sudden jerk on a smooth road, he is thrown off balance.
Be Specific: Just as you try to avoid someone who talks too much, so do readers about writers, which have too many high-sounding words or long-winding sentences that have run out of thoughts. Eliminate all that which you have said once.
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