DEFINITION
As a pattern of development, definition most often appears in a supporting role. Begin by putting a word/concept in a larger class, and then explain why/how it is distinct from other members of the class. Elaborate on the particulars of its distinctness. Organize from general to specific and often support by extended definitions.
The amount of detail and the length of an extended definition depend on complexity. THE overall purpose is to help readers understand difficult-to-comprehend abstractions.
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
In descriptive writing, the goal is the same as in argumentative or persuasive writing: to get the reader to see something the same way you do. But with argumentative or persuasive writing, you have an action you want your reader to either abstain from or to do.
There are two general categories of descriptive writing. Objective description is often found in business, technical, scientific, and journalistic writing, i.e. procedures manuals and non-editorial news reporting. Subjective description is impressionistic, vivid, personal, and emotional--and may be much more common in everyday life.
What is important in good descriptive writing? Detail, detail, detail. Shades, tones, textures, and scenets, precise and particular. And none that mar the image you are building in your reader's mind. Use sharpness, even in the shadings.
DETAIL
Pay close attention to detail not only in the use of examples but also in the exactness of both the word and the illustration.
DIALOGUE
or conversation, between two people, or with oneself, provides the reader with insight and moves the story forward without the writer standing on the stage in a didactic mode.
DOCUMENTATION
Complete documentation of your research as you are doing it will help you avoid plagiarism.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
A Writer's Alphabet of Concepts and Clues
Brevity
Don't use any more words than you have to. Simplify, pare down. Ask yourself, what will be lost if I leave this out? What will be gained if I leave this in?
Buy and use Strunk and White's ELEMENTS OF STYLE and Zinsser's ON WRITING WELL.
Clarity
"Clarity" is a noun which means "the quality or state of being clear." To clarify is to free from confusion, to make [more] understandable.
Clarity is rarely accomplished in the writing of the first draft of any piece, barring a list of numbers--and even numbers can be misstated. Ask anyone who has had to balance a checkbook.
Revising for clarification is something you will always be doing, no matter what you are writing, no matter how proficient a writer you become.
Coherence
Maintaining your consistency of focus is one of the challenges of writing. Coherence, marked by the smooth transition from one thought to another, comes with practice.
Concisness
A thesaurus is invaluable as a source for finding the best, most concise, words to capture your ideas and their nuances.
And read. Stretch your vocabulary. That, too, will make it possible for you to write more clearly, more coherently, and with conciseness.
Content
Content and form are almost inseperable. If you want what you are writing about to be understood and to be taken seriously, you must fashion its form in such a way as to make it understandable and appealing.
Brilliant writing won't be seen as such unless it is done in workmanlike fashion.
Accuracy in writing, punctuation, grammar, usage and diction combined with a well-thought-out thesis and cogently developed argument will produce a good piece of work.
Context
That which surrounds and helps to make sensible. More often than not, you will hear, "don't take that out of context!" which means, look not only at a part, but at all that goes before and behind that.
Looking at the context will help you make more sense out of what someone else has written, Then, as you write, make sure that the logic of your piece is clear.
Don't use any more words than you have to. Simplify, pare down. Ask yourself, what will be lost if I leave this out? What will be gained if I leave this in?
Buy and use Strunk and White's ELEMENTS OF STYLE and Zinsser's ON WRITING WELL.
Clarity
"Clarity" is a noun which means "the quality or state of being clear." To clarify is to free from confusion, to make [more] understandable.
Clarity is rarely accomplished in the writing of the first draft of any piece, barring a list of numbers--and even numbers can be misstated. Ask anyone who has had to balance a checkbook.
Revising for clarification is something you will always be doing, no matter what you are writing, no matter how proficient a writer you become.
Coherence
Maintaining your consistency of focus is one of the challenges of writing. Coherence, marked by the smooth transition from one thought to another, comes with practice.
Concisness
A thesaurus is invaluable as a source for finding the best, most concise, words to capture your ideas and their nuances.
And read. Stretch your vocabulary. That, too, will make it possible for you to write more clearly, more coherently, and with conciseness.
Content
Content and form are almost inseperable. If you want what you are writing about to be understood and to be taken seriously, you must fashion its form in such a way as to make it understandable and appealing.
Brilliant writing won't be seen as such unless it is done in workmanlike fashion.
Accuracy in writing, punctuation, grammar, usage and diction combined with a well-thought-out thesis and cogently developed argument will produce a good piece of work.
Context
That which surrounds and helps to make sensible. More often than not, you will hear, "don't take that out of context!" which means, look not only at a part, but at all that goes before and behind that.
Looking at the context will help you make more sense out of what someone else has written, Then, as you write, make sure that the logic of your piece is clear.
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