Bloggercises: Introduction
September 13th 2008 06:14
Most bloggers can improve their writing ability through guidance, but many don't consider themselves in need of such guidance. Most bloggers nod in agreement when someone mentions the principles of good writing, but many of them don't follow those principles.
Part of the problem is that principles such as "never use a long word where a short one will do" (George Orwell's second rule for effective writing) and "if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out" (Orwell's third rule for effective writing) sound simple, but are unlikely to be put into practice - with ruthless vigilance - unless you believe in them.
To believe in them you must understand them and that, for most of us, takes time and guidance.
What sort of guidance?
Way back when the ink on Orwell's rules for effective writing was still drying, I landed a journalism cadetship on a metropolitan daily newspaper. Like generations of newcomers to the industry before me, I had been employed on the strength of English aptitude and comprehension. And, like generations of cadet journalists before me, the first thing I learned was that my writing ability - an ability which had won me much praise and prizes during my school days - was crap.
The chief sub-editor of a major newspaper is a fearsome and feared individual. As a young reporter, you could expect to be summonsed regularly for a lecture on syntax, grammar and house style. As a young sub-editor, the highest standards were expected at all times and to let through a change of tense or an incorrect hyphenation was to be barked at and humiliated.
Such men and women were my guides, and almost 30 years later I offer these things as my authority for saying the following: You may be as good a writer as you think you are, but probably not.
There. I couldn't think of a polite way to say it, so accept my blunt message or discard it as you like.
What I propose to do is post a series of writing tutorials which I hope will contain something of interest for writers of all levels. The posts will cover such subjects as redundancies, consistency of style, apostrophes and common grammatical mistakes.
My hope is that anyone who doesn't have a couple of decades of professional writing experience behind them will find something of interest.
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Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Comment by Chris Champion
moneywhither
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
NewlyOld
The Blog of Lists
As the first one here, you can take a seat in the front row
Regards,
Chris
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Take it away, Richard Simmons.
My house style is lying around in what I went to bed in.
It's a demanding style, many are up for.
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
I'll definitely find it of interest.
Comment by Chris Champion
moneywhither
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
NewlyOld
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Actually I do like this post.
Normally when people set themselves up as blogger with a how to blog site my Wank-dar goes off.
(Wank-dar = Wanker Radar)
The fact that you are not pandering to my sensitive side makes me happy.
I hope you stay on Oble is fruitful but remember: 'Here be Wankers'
Comment by Chris Champion
moneywhither
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
NewlyOld
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Do you have a spare seat for the straw man that follows me around everywhere? He's my body guard. He's been with me for years.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Chris Champion
moneywhither
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
NewlyOld
The Blog of Lists