Effective Writing

 

Effective Writing 

Writing is often a day-to-day task in many professions spanning diverse industries, from sending emails to preparing presentations. Writing skills go beyond grammar and spelling. Accuracy, clarity, persuasiveness, and several other elements ensure your writing conveys the right message. 

What are writing skills?

Writing is a technical skill that allows you to communicate effectively through the written word. Though these may vary depending on your writing, several transcend categories. Writing skills can more specifically include:

·         Grammar

·         Vocabulary

·         Spelling

·         Sentence construction

·         Structure

·         Research and accuracy

·         Clarity

·         Persuasiveness

Each of these components can influence the quality of writing.

How to improve your writing skills

Here are some strategies for developing your own written communication:

1. Review grammar and spelling basics.

Grammar and spelling form the foundation of good writing. Writing with proper grammar and spelling communicates your professionalism and attention to detail to your reader. It also makes your writing easier to understand.  

Knowing when and how to use less common punctuation, like colons, semicolons, and em-dashes, can unlock new ways to structure sentences and elevate your writing. 

If you want to strengthen your grammar and spelling, use a writing manual. The Cambridge Guide to English Usage by Pam Peters provides information on effective writing. You can find similar resources at your local library, bookstore, or online.

2. Read what you want to write.

Knowing what finished writing can look like can guide your own. Read humorous short stories if you’re trying to write a short story. If you want to write a book review, find a few and take note of how they’re structured. Pay attention to what makes them good and what you want to emulate (without plagiarising). If you’re working on a school assignment, you can ask your instructor for examples of successful pieces from past students.

Make reading a part of your everyday life to improve your writing. Try reading the news in the morning or picking up a book before bed. If you haven’t been a big reader in the past, start with topics you’re interested in or ask friends and family for recommendations. You’ll gradually understand what subjects, genres, and authors you enjoy.

3. Proofread.

While it’s tempting to submit work as soon as you’re done with it, build in some time to revisit what you’ve written to catch errors big and small. Here are a few proofreading tips to keep in mind:

·         Set your work aside before you edit. Try to step away from your writing for a day or more so you can return to it with fresh, more objective eyes. Crunched for time? Allotting 20 minutes between writing and proofreading can allow you to approach your work with renewed energy.

·         Start with easy fixes, then progress to bigger changes. Starting with easier changes can get you in the rhythm of proofreading, allow you to read through your work once more, and clear distractions so you can focus on bigger edits. Read through your work to catch misspellings, inconsistencies, and grammar errors. Then, address the larger problems with the structure or awkward transitions. 

·         If you could say something in fewer words, do so. Being unnecessarily wordy can cloud your message and confuse the reader. Avoid phrases that are redundant, repetitive, or obvious.

·         Read out loud. Reading aloud can help you find awkward phrases and areas where your writing doesn’t flow well. 

Should you use computer spelling and grammar tools?

Many computer-based tools—like spell check on your word processor or Grammarly— can help you find and fix simple spelling and grammar errors. These tools are imperfect but can help even the most seasoned writers avoid mistakes. Take note of any frequently highlighted words or phrases to avoid the same mistakes in the future.

4. Get feedback.

Whether you’re writing emails or essays, asking for feedback is a great way to see how someone else will interpret your text. Have an idea of what you’d like your proofreader to focus on—the structure, conclusion, persuasiveness of an argument, or otherwise. 

Approach a trusted friend, family member, co-worker, or instructor. If you’re a student, your school might also have a writing resource centre you can contact. 

Consider forming a writing group or joining a writing class. Find writing courses online, at your local community college, or independent writing workshops in your area.

5. Think about structure.

Grammar and spelling keep your writing consistent and legible, but the structure ensures the big ideas get across to the reader.

In many cases, forming an outline will help solidify the structure. An outline can clarify what you hope to convey in each section, allowing you to visualise the flow of your piece and surface parts that require more research or thought. 

The structure might look different depending on what you’re writing. An essay typically has an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A fiction piece might follow the six-stage plot structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and denouement. Choose what’s best for your purposes.

6. Write.

Keep writing to become a good writer. Here are a few ways you can get started:

·         Start a journal or a blog.

·         Join a class or writing workshop.

·         Practise free writing.

·         Write letters to friends or family.

·         Put together an opinion piece for your local newspaper or publication you like.

7. Know some common fixes.

Even if a text is grammatically correct, you can make it more dynamic and interesting with some polish. Here are some common ways you can sharpen your writing:

·         Choose strong verbs (for example, “sprinted,” “dashed,” or “bolted” instead of “ran”).

·         Avoid passive voice.

·         Vary sentence length.

·         Cut unnecessary words.

·         Replace cliches with original phrasing.

 

Types of Speeches

 

Types of Speeches

Speeches can be categorized into four broad areas depending on the amount of preparation that is undertaken and depending upon the nature of the occasion. The four types of speeches are manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu. Our aim is to acquaint you with these four different modes of delivery, to provide suggestions for when you are asked to make impromptu remarks, and then to focus most your time on the preparation, practice, and presentation of extemporaneous speeches.

Manuscript Speech

When you listen to the President deliver a State of the Union message, you listen to a well-crafted speech being read from a teleprompter. The speech has been polished by a staff of speechwriters and has been practiced many times. The President will know how to anticipate the reaction of the audience and will know when to pause for applause and when to expect laughter. This form of speaking is used when the exact words matter and when much time and energy is expended on getting everything just right. There are times when people who are not leaders of countries deliver manuscript speeches as well. They are used when people testify before Congress, when people read important statements in a public setting, or when people deliver reports at professional meetings. All call for exact words in the correct order.

While the President has access to a staff of speech writers and a teleprompter, most of us do not. If you were given this type of assignment, you would have to read your manuscript speech from printed notes. In that case, you would want to ensure that you had prepared your manuscript carefully, using large fonts so you could read it easily without burying your nose in the pages. Reading the speech does not allow you to skimp on the preparation. Practice the speech many times. This allows you to make changes, if needed, and to select the best words to communicate your exact meaning. Remember to speak clearly and naturally -strive for a conversational tone. It shouldn’t sound read -even if you are reading. Also, remember to speak slowly; there is a natural tendency to speed up when we speak in public. Delivering a speech is not a race; you do not receive bonus points for finishing early.

Unless you are specifically told by your instructor to prepare and deliver a manuscript speech, you should never write out the entire speech. Spend your time developing your outline, organizing your ideas, and determining where you can best insert your supports. Then practice using the outline while speaking.

Memorized Speech

When you were in elementary school, did you ever have to memorize a poem or a part of a speech? If you are like most students, the answer is “Yes. ” There is nothing wrong with memorization. But if you try to memorize a speech, you risk forgetting what you planned to say and coming across as completely unprepared. Memorizing your speech is even worse than reading it. All the objections that apply to the read speech also apply to the memorized speech. Spontaneity is gone. The speech can sound stilted. Often, delivery is too rapid. Concentration is on the words, not the ideas. Sometimes the speech sounds too formal, like a written essay. There is minimal feedback or other contact with the audience. And what happens if your mind goes completely blank or if an audience member interrupts? The entire presentation will likely fall apart. Memorizing a speech puts entirely too much pressure on the speaker.

That said, there are a couple of parts of the speech that you may want to have memorized -or practiced so well that you can deliver them almost as if memorized. These include:

Your introduction: It sets the stage for the entire speech. The words should be well chosen and rehearsed. You may find that as you repeat this portion of the speech during your rehearsals you do come to memorize it word for word. If so, this is fine. After all, once you have determined the best way of saying something, why not use it? Just make sure the presentation does not sound memorized.

Your conclusion: The summary and call to action are the final words that your audience will hear. As with the introduction, if you practice this repeatedly you will develop the best way to say what you want and you will probably have perfected this portion of the speech.

Impromptu Speech

There will come a time for all of us when we are asked to “say a few words ” without much preparation. You haven’t prepared any notes, you haven’t practiced what you’ll say, and you’re being asked to “wing it. ” While this may seem incredibly scary, impromptu presentations are the most common type of public speaking. You’re in class and suddenly the professor wants to hear how group projects are going. You, as the leader of your group, are asked to stand and briefly discuss what the group is doing and how much you’ve completed so far. That’s an impromptu speech. You didn’t know when you headed to class that day that you’d be speaking in public, but you did it. No sweat! Or maybe you’re in a meeting at work and the boss announces that he wants you to brief everyone in the meeting on the new equipment being installed that afternoon. Again, no prior planning, no notes, you just do it. That’s impromptu speaking.

Extemporaneous Speech

The focus of most college courses in public speaking is the extemporaneous speech. This is because this is the type of speech used most in business, education, preaching, and political affairs. Few of us will ever have a professional staff of speechwriters or ever deliver a speech with the aid of a teleprompter. But when you do have a speech or presentation to deliver, you’ll want to sound prepared, authoritative, and clear.

Simply stated, an extemporaneous speech is one where you will have time for preparation and practice but will not be expected to read from a manuscript or to have the speech memorized. The question most students ask is, “How much time should be spent in preparation and practice? ” Perhaps Mark Twain said it best. When speaking about preparing for an impromptu speech, he noted, “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech ” (King). While celebrated as a humorist, there is much truth in his words. To appear to be speaking off the cuff, and to do it well, you must prepare thoroughly and practice to perfection. When you speak extemporaneously, it means you’ve had ample time to prepare and research and that you have rehearsed your speech (many times) using an outline or notes to remind you of the progression of ideas you wish to present. You will follow all the normal steps outlined in the earlier chapters. Choose a topic, narrow appropriately, analyze your audience, choose your supports, and create an outline. You will know your speech so well and will amaze your audience!

 

Effective Speaking

 

Effective Speaking

The most important aspect of effective speaking skills is ensuring you successfully and clearly deliver the information that you want to share through speaking.

·       Whatever you speak, it must-must be focussed on the listener and not yourself.

There are  2 parts in this topic.

1.     Non-Verbal Communication or how you speak.

2.     Verbal Communication or what you speak.

 

 To be an effective speaker.

1.     Non-Verbal Communication or how you speak: This contributes to 70% of speech and so definitely more important than what you speak.

1a   Body language: An erect posture, no drooping shoulders, right hand movements, right eye contact are all important. Well, it’s a vast topic. But you can read about it on internet too, what I want to convey is that, it’s important and must be considered.

1b.  Pace: This is the speed at which you talk. If speech is too fast, then listeners will not have time to assimilate what is being said. It is also a good idea to vary the pace - quickening up at times and then slowing down – because this will help to maintain interest.

1c.  Volume: By raising or lowering volume occasionally, you can create emphasis. If you drop your voice to almost a whisper (as long as it is projected) for a sentence or two, it will make your audience suddenly alert. Be careful not to overuse this technique, though, or it will lose its impact.

1d.  Pitch - Inflection - Emphasis: When speaking in public, try to convey the information with as much vocal energy and enthusiasm as possible. This does not mean your voice has to swoop and dive all over the place in an uncontrolled manner. Try to make the talk interesting. Remember that when you are nervous or excited, your vocal chords tense and shorten, causing the voice to get higher. Emphasise certain words and phrases within the talk to convey their importance and help to add variety.

1e.  Pause: Pauses are powerful. They can be used for effect to highlight the preceding statement or to gain attention before an important message. Pauses mean silence for a few seconds. Listeners interpret meaning during pauses so have the courage to stay silent for up to five seconds – dramatic pauses like this convey authority and confidence.

 

2.     Verbal Communication or what you say:

2a.  Know your Audience: The words you choose will be different if you are talking to 200 people at a conference, a trusted colleague, your boss, or your children. You need to think about your audience’s overall level of understanding of the subject, and also the type of language that you use.

2b.  Catch the attention: You can begin with a relatable quote, a short story, an important related fact, an important related number, or start with “WHY”- why what you are saving is important to the listener. Also involve the listeners in a short conversation, if possible, in the beginning. For example, imagine you have to address the students at a college about their future opportunities, you can start your presentation with an infinity

 symbol and ask them what is it. They will come up with some answers. Then you say “this (infinity) is the number of opportunities that wait for you in the world and I am here to tell how can you best prepare yourselves for them”

2c.  Be clear in with your message: Be clear in your head, what do you want to share. The most important information must be emphasized. One rule to remembered is don’t give many important messages at a time. One at a time. Or it will all get diluted.

2d.  Elaborate with example: Where ever possible explain with an example, it is one of the best ways to explain something.

2e.  Practice: There is no substitute to practice. For an important speaking assignment, practice much as you can. Saying it out in front of mirror also helps. Or you may record it and see the recording to analyse how you did.

 

 

Endymion Book I - John Keats

 Endymion Book I -  John Keats 

    "Endymion" by John Keats is an epic poem divided into four books, each exploring themes of love, beauty, and the search for ideal truth. Book I introduces the protagonist, Endymion, a young shepherd who dreams of a divine love.

    The poem opens with Endymion's lament over his unfulfilled desires and his yearning for something greater than his mundane existence. He longs for a deeper connection with the divine and seeks guidance from the stars. In his quest for meaning, he encounters the Titan goddess, Thea, who reveals to him the story of Cupid and Psyche, inspiring Endymion to pursue his own path to love and fulfillment.

    Endymion then meets the mysterious poet, Glaucus, who encourages him to embrace his dreams and follow his heart's desires. Glaucus shares the story of his own journey to find love and enlightenment, inspiring Endymion to embark on his own quest.

    As Endymion sets out on his journey, he encounters various challenges and obstacles, including encounters with mythical creatures and tests of his resolve. Along the way, he encounters the enchanting beauty of the natural world and finds solace in the company of fellow travelers.

    The book concludes with Endymion arriving at the cave of the sorceress, Circe, who offers him guidance and advice on his journey. Circe warns Endymion of the dangers he will face and encourages him to stay true to his heart's desires.

    In summary, Book I of "Endymion" sets the stage for Endymion's epic journey of self-discovery and love. It introduces the protagonist and establishes the themes of longing, beauty, and the search for truth. Through encounters with divine beings and mythical creatures, Endymion begins to unravel the mysteries of his own heart and find his place in the world.

Paradise Lost Book IV - John Milton

 Paradise Lost Book IV  - John Milton 

    Book IV of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" explores the burgeoning relationship between Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, as well as Satan's continued scheming to corrupt them. The book is filled with themes of pride, rebellion, and the consequences of Satan's choices.

The scene begins with Satan alone on Earth, contemplating his rebellion against God. He feels a deep sense of anger and hatred toward God for casting him out of Heaven. He compares his fall from grace to the loss of an empire and laments his loss of power. Satan reveals that his pride and ambition were the driving forces behind his rebellion, and he views his banishment as the ultimate insult. However, despite his anger, Satan refuses to repent or submit to God’s will. He resolves to continue his defiance.

As Satan surveys the Earth, he notices the newly created world, which is beautiful and full of life. This sight fills him with envy and jealousy, as he believes that God’s creation of humans is another way of challenging his own superiority. Satan expresses his desire to corrupt the new world and humankind to get revenge on God for what he perceives as a personal betrayal.

 Satan disguises as a cherub and enters into Eden. He sees the first human beings, Adam and Eve, living in the Garden of Eden. They are both innocent and unaware of the dangers that Satan poses. Satan is amazed by their beauty and their happiness, but his envy grows stronger. He wishes to destroy their happiness and create chaos in their lives, which would hurt God’s creation.

      He continues to watch them. Adam tells Eve not to complain of the work they have to do but to be obedient to God since God has given them so many blessings, and only one constraint: they must not eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Eve agrees wholeheartedly, and they embrace.

Eve tells Adam of her first awakening as she came to life and how she wondered who and where she was. She found a river and followed it upstream to its source. Her path led to a clear, smooth lake, and Eve looked into the lake, seeing an image in its surface, which she soon discovers is her own. She hears a voice explaining to her that she was made out of Adam, and with him she will become the mother of the human race. Then, Adam and Even talk about the stars, say a prayer, and then go to sleep.

Meanwhile, Uriel tells Gabriel that he was fooled by Satan and now Satan is somewhere in the Garden. Gabriel tells Uriel that he will find Satan before morning.

Night falls, and Gabriel sends search parties into the Garden. Two of his angels find Satan, disguised as a toad, whispering into the ear of Eve as she sleeps. They pull him before Gabriel, who recognizes him, and demands to know what he is doing in Paradise.  Satan explains that he wanted to escape the pain of hell and so came to paradise. Gabriel does not believe him and tells him to go back to hell or he will personally drag him there. Enraged by this threat, Satan prepares to fight him. The two square off for a decisive battle, but a sign from Heaven—the appearance in the sky of a pair of golden scales—stops them. Satan recognizes the sign as meaning he could not win, and flies off.

  

She Walks in Beauty - Lord Byron

 She Walks in Beauty - Lord Byron 

    "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron is a timeless poem that celebrates the beauty of a woman and explores the harmony between inner goodness and physical appearance. The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing six lines, and follows an ABABAB rhyme scheme.

    In the first stanza, Byron introduces the woman's beauty, describing her as walking in beauty like the night, which is both dark and bright. He compares her to the night sky adorned with stars, suggesting that her beauty is not one-dimensional but contains contrasts, just like the interplay of darkness and light in the night.

    Moving on to the second stanza, Byron delves deeper into the specifics of the woman's appearance. He mentions her "cloudless climes and starry skies," suggesting a purity and clarity in her features. He describes her cheeks as having a soft, warm glow that contrasts with the darkness of her hair and the light of her eyes. This juxtaposition of light and dark elements further emphasizes the woman's captivating beauty.

    In the third stanza, Byron shifts the focus to the woman's inner qualities, praising her grace, innocence, and virtue. He suggests that her external beauty is a reflection of her inner goodness, making her even more enchanting. Byron uses imagery such as "tender light" and "nameless grace" to convey the ethereal nature of her virtues.

    Throughout the poem, Byron employs rich imagery and sensory language to paint a vivid picture of the woman's beauty. He uses contrasts, such as light and dark, to highlight her allure and complexity. Additionally, the poem's structure, with its regular rhyme scheme and rhythmic flow, adds to its musicality and elegance.

    Overall, "She Walks in Beauty" celebrates the multifaceted nature of beauty and suggests that true beauty is not merely skin deep but is a reflection of inner purity and goodness. Byron's timeless ode to feminine grace continues to captivate readers with its lyrical language and profound insights into the nature of beauty and virtue.

Ode on intimation of immortality - William Wordsworth

 Ode on intimation of immortality  - William Wordsworth 

    William Wordsworth's "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood" stands as a pinnacle of Romantic poetry, encapsulating profound reflections on the passage of time, the loss of innocence, and the enduring connection between nature and the human soul. In this ode, Wordsworth explores the theme of immortality through the lens of childhood memories, crafting a deeply introspective and philosophical work.

    At its core, the poem grapples with the bittersweet realization that as individuals age, they lose touch with the pure and unadulterated perceptions of childhood. Wordsworth mourns this loss of innocence, lamenting the fading of what he refers to as the "celestial light" that illuminated his early years. Yet, amidst this melancholy, he finds solace in the belief that these experiences serve as glimpses of a higher spiritual existence, hinting at the immortality of the soul.

    Wordsworth's language is imbued with vivid imagery and sensory detail, transporting readers back to the idyllic landscapes of his youth. Through descriptions of meadows, streams, and forests, he illustrates the profound connection between humanity and the natural world, suggesting that nature serves as a conduit to divine truth. The poem's structure, with its repetitive motifs and lyrical cadence, further reinforces this sense of interconnectedness, mirroring the cyclical rhythms of the natural world.

    Central to the poem is the notion of "intimations" – fleeting glimpses or premonitions of a higher reality. Wordsworth suggests that these intimations are most potent in childhood, when one's perception is unclouded by the complexities of adult life. Through recollections of his own youth, he contemplates the enduring significance of these moments, positing that they serve as evidence of a transcendent realm beyond the material world.

    Moreover, Wordsworth explores the transformative power of memory, which allows individuals to preserve and cherish moments of beauty and wonder long after they have passed. He argues that through the act of remembrance, one can transcend the limitations of time and mortality, attaining a kind of spiritual immortality through the preservation of cherished experiences.

    In its exploration of themes such as memory, mortality, and the human connection to nature, "Ode: Intimations of Immortality" remains a timeless masterpiece of Romantic literature. Wordsworth's profound insights into the human condition continue to resonate with readers, inviting them to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the enduring power of the human spirit. Through his exquisite poetry, Wordsworth reminds us of the eternal significance of fleeting moments and the enduring legacy of childhood innocence.