Archive for the 'Writing Hints' Category

In a literary magazine I recently read the following writing hint:

One-word sentences?

Eliminate.

Rubbish!

I disagree.

Strongly.

Short sentences can be very effective. In fact, a variety of sentence lengths can be an indicator of very effective and interesting writing. It can be overdone, of course.

I would rather read short, precise and concise sentences than run-on sentences that never get to the point and meander all over the place, introducing new material that has nothing to do with the original intent of the writer showing that the author is not fully in command of this exacting craft called writing, although some would indeed call it an art, not a craft at all but that is the subject of a post I intend including on this writing blog very soon, when I get the time, of course, with so many projects under way it is a difficult juggling act.

Related articles:

• Writing hints archive – a list of writing hints.

My daughters an English teacher in one of our state high school’s.

She emphatically claim’s to be an “apostrophe nazi.”

She goes around the staff room, office and staff office’s correcting the misuse of apostrophe’s in other people’s poster’s, notices and anything pinned up on the notice boards.

I’m thinking of never going shopping with her again – just in case she decides to go around correcting poster’s and advertising hoardings. That would be most embarrassing.

I recently came across this following hint regarding the use of apostrophes:

Use the possessive apostrophe in it’s place and omit it when its not needed.

One cant be too careful.

I hope my daughter never read’s this or she might find a few mistakes. At least she cant access this blog in order to correct it’s mistakes.

Oh dear – Ive just realised that she could leave comments about this post. Ooops.

I invite you to comment on the above text.

Can you find all the errors?

I think I have made 14 errors. But… I could be wrong!

I know I have a problem when I write and when I speak in public.

I have a bad habit of waffling, of going on and on, of rambling and not really getting to the point.

I recently read this wonderful quote:

“Be more or less specific.”

Get to the point.

Keep it concise and precise.

Keep it simple and easy to read.

Drat – there I go again, rabbiting on and on.

Related articles:

• Writing Hint 1

• Writing Hint 2

• Writing Hint 3

My wife and I usually agree on most things. There is one matter on which we often clash swords – in a friendly way I might add.

My wife is adamant that it is very bad form to start sentences with a conjunction. I must admit to doing this on many occasions, usually for special effect. And it really riles her. But in my defence, I am not alone in using this writing style.

And this quote says it all:

“Prepositions are not for ending sentences with. And don’t start sentences with a conjunction.”

Related posts:

• Proof read your writing

• Avoid repetition