How to Write Clearly.doc

How to Write Clearly Follow these tips to improve your writing If you are afraid to write, don’t be. If you think you’ve got to string together big fancy words and high-flying phrases, forget it. To write well, unless you aspire to be a professional poet or novelist, you only need to get your ideas across simply and dearly. It is not easy. But it is easier than you might imagine. There are only three basic requirements: First, you must want to write clearly. And I believe you really do if you’ve stayed this far with me. Second, you must be willing to work hard. Third, you must know and follow some basic guidelines. If, while you’re willing for clarity, some lovely, dramatic or inspired phrases or sentences come to you, fine. Put them in. But then with cold, objective eyes and mind, ask yourself: “Do they detract from clarity?” if they do, grit your teeth and cut the frills. Follow some basic guidelines I can’t give you a complete list of “ dos and don’ts” for every writing problem you’ll ever face. But I can give you some fundamental guidelines that cover the most common problems. 1. Outline what you want to say. I know that sounds grade schoolish. But you can’t write clearly until, before you start, you know where you will stop. Ironically, that’s even a problem in writing an outline (i.e. knowing the ending before you begin). So try this method: On 3’’x5” cards, write—one point to card—all the points you need to make. David the cards into piles—one pile for each group of points closely related to each other. (If you were describing an automobile, you’d put all the points about safety in another, and so on.) Arrange your piles of points in a sequence. Which are most important and should be present before others in order to make the others understandable? Now, within each pile, do the same thing—arrange the points in logical, understandable order. There you have your outline, needing only an introduction and conclusion. This is a practical wa