Following yesterday’s post I was asked to give some tips for writing. I have chosen not to mention specific grammatical rules or to list the “Most Frequent Mistakes in IBEX Papers” that I have in my Research Paper Guide. Instead I have four general principles to becoming a better writer.
1. Pay attention to how others write. Subscribe to Sports Illustrated, for the writing. Believe it or not, their writers are excellent. Whatever you read, observe their vocabulary, sentence structure, etc. I didn’t learn the rules of grammar from a class as much as I did from observation.
2. Practice. You won’t become a better writer by thinking about it. You have to do it. It’s best if you can have someone else evaluate it and give you feedback. Even if that’s not always possible, simply by doing it you will learn. And if you’re writing while observing the works of others, you will be able to implement what you are learning.
3. Pick appropriate classes. If you’re still in school, choose courses that will stretch you in this way. Usually students do just the opposite. But if you don’t want to learn, why go to school? You can make more of this by seeking out the teacher’s advice during the writing process, and not just when it comes time to submit the paper. Besides the obvious advantages, the teacher will know that you actually care about learning to be a better writer and that will probably be reflected in the grading process (that is, he/she will be less likely to skim your paper and give minimal feedback).
4. Proofread. Make this a habit of your life. Proofread even your emails. If instant messaging breeds bad writing habits, perhaps you should stop. How many times you proofread depends on the nature of the material. An ordinary email may need only one read-through. A more important email where words need to be chosen carefully may require two or three times. An important paper probably deserves at least 5. Of course, if you finish writing at the deadline, you won’t be able to do that. For anything I write that will be published (as well as the BiblePlaces Newsletter), I have at least two other people proofread it. I learn too who does a better job in proofreading and I seek them out more (thanks, A.D.! :-)). Those who do not catch mistakes are not very helpful.
I’m glad others have noticed the high quality writing in Sports Illustrated.
I’ve said for more than a decade that SI is the best-written newsweekly in America.
Thom
Todd,
Thanks for the insight! I start seminary in a month and a half so your words of seasoned wisdom came at the perfect time. Hopefully I won’t settle for slapping some Derek Kidner quotes on the end of another Solomon paper in place of solid research! (If you know what I mean!)
Derek
Thanks Todd! This input has made me consider my paper (the one referred to before), and how I need to proof read it a few more times.
This is random, but I find that by reading some of “The Classics” of Literature, my writing improves greatly. I particularly like reading Jane Austen. Her style is intriguing and helps me to develop my vocabulary. I also like the plot(s) of her various works, but that’s only half of why I truly enjoy it :)
Great advice. Particularly the part about paying attention to how others write.
Thanks Todd, I feel as if this semester the profs decided to dump the paper assignments on in large quantities. Reading your blog entries was definitely a help to me! I still cherish my HAI paper and wish I could frame it. Its one I refer back to often for tips on how to write better. :)The Nahal Parat hike looked awesome. Enjoy your students. You only have a week and half left with them! :(
Blessings on your family!
Ashley