About the book:
Many people have to write, yet they don’t really
like to write; some even hate it! Despite their aversion to writing, they may
have to write letters, memos, proposals, reports, or e-mails in their work.
Whether they like it or not, writing may be a part of their daily task. Are you
one of them? If yes, why not make a virtue out of necessity, and learn the
basic skill of effective writing?
Writing is about the written word. Not only is the written word part and parcel of daily life, but also has continued to hold its place in the contemporary world—just as Byron, the famous English poet, once said:
But words
are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling
like dew, upon a thought produces
That which
makes thousands, perhaps millions
Think.
According to Byron, words are all powerful. But you have to make them powerful, and this is what effective writing is all about. Writing is basically a communication skill—just like any other life skills. Why not master it to give yourself personal satisfaction in being able to communicate your ideas effectively so others will understand exactly what is on your mind?
Is writing such a difficult and daunting task? Not really. Is writing skill learnable? Absolutely!
Today, many books on how to write effectively are readily available. If you walk into any bookstore, you will find a collection of books on how to write well.
What separates EFFECTIVE WRITING Made Simple from other books on how to improve your writing skill?
First, this book is presented in a simple and easy-to-follow format: it is easy to read and understand. Second, this book is comprehensive: it covers every aspect of good writing—from basic grammar, correct sentences, effective use of words, paragraph development, to style and usage. With many examples and illustrations, this book is like a handy manual at your fingertips for easy reference. Effective writing is an essential communication skill in inter-personal relationships and in almost every profession.
A sample of the book:
Writing is putting ideas into words in order to
communicate them to your readers. Words can be very powerful if the writing is
effective.
Effective writing begins with a desire not only to write but also to write well. Desire galvanizes your efforts to improve your writing skill no matter what.
First of all, embrace the right attitudes to learning effective writing:
- Improving your writing skill takes time and effort. You cannot
master it overnight.
- Overcome any negative attitude you may have, such as “I’m not good in English” or “English is never my strong subject.” Negative thinking may adversely affect your mindset and mental capability to write effectively. Always be positive about your ability to write well. After all, it is just a skill, and it is learnable.
- Dispel the myth that a writer is born, not made. Writing is no more than a skill that can be acquired, learned, and taught.
- Develop self-confidence that you, too, can acquire effective writing through the following:
o Learning the basics of writing
o Following clear instructions
o Looking at samples of effective writing
o Practicing writing regularly
With confidence, you will become more willing to express yourself, instead of worrying about making mistakes. It is better to write with mistakes than not to be able to write at all. Remember this: a creator is worth all the critics.
Effective writing requires lifelong learning and finding answers to all your questions about writing. Accordingly, you need to get some basic tools for your effective writing:
- Use a dictionary to find out what words mean and to make sure that
words mean what you think they mean.
- Use a dictionary to see a word in context so that you have better understanding of how that word should be used in your own writing.
- Use a dictionary to find out the preferred spelling of a word because the same word can be spelled differently.
- Use a dictionary to determine the usage of a word, such as the preposition that normally goes with it.
A thesaurus may help you find the right word to use. Sometimes you cannot recall a certain word that you may wish to use; in that case, a dictionary may not be able to help you. A thesaurus provides words and phrases that are close in meaning.
You write not just for your teachers or your readers, but, more importantly, for yourself. There are several reasons why you should write:
- Writing may be a part of your job description. Writing letters,
memos, reports, minutes of meetings, and sending e-mails may be your daily
tasks at your workplace.
- Writing affords you an opportunity to explore yourself—your thoughts and feelings. Writing is often a journey of self-discovery: you begin to find out more about who you are, and what your values are. Writing is more than an expression of self: it creates the self. To that end, you can write a diary or journal for self-expression. Regular journal writing not only improves your writing skill but also expands your thinking.
- Writing helps you organize your thinking. Effective writing requires you to put your random thoughts into a coherent pattern. Through writing, you learn to mentally articulate your ideas in a more logical and systematic way. Writing regularly improves your logic and sharpens your power of reasoning.
- Writing enhances your ability to use language for specific purposes. You begin to realize how some writers use manipulative language to persuade others. Accordingly, you learn to “read between the lines” as well as to recognize the truths from the myths.
- Writing is an effective means of communication with others. Even when you write an e-mail to your friends, you have to make yourself intelligible by writing what you mean and meaning what you write.
- Writing is an important communication skill. Reap all the benefits of writing by learning how to write. Make a virtue out of your necessity.
There is no formula for success in writing. The key to success is “practice, practice, practice.” After all, writing is a skill; like any other skill, you must practice it before you can master it. You learn from your mistakes, and practicing writing improves your writing. If you write everyday, you will become a more competent and proficient writer. If you learn the mechanics and techniques of writing, your writing will become more effective. It is just a matter of time. And it is just that simple.
Writing is a learning experience for all. Anybody who wants to write learns how to write. One learns how to write by writing—just as one learns how to walk by walking. Everybody can write, as long as the heart is willing to learn and master the skill of writing.
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