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Solving your writing problems since 1998! |
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~ The Write Way ~ Friday 26 November 1999 Somersaults
Greetings, Today's issue of the Write Way marks its first birthday! To see how far this little newsletter has come in its 52 editions, take a quick look at the first one http://www.write101.com/W.Tips1.htm.Have you ever had the experience of becoming engrossed in a piece of writing and then discovering that the time frame has mysteriously changed, or that the writer's attitude has done a complete somersault? Frustrating, isn't it? Many writers are so familiar with what they're writing themselves, that they forget that their readers are seeing all these ideas for the first time. Maybe you have a fantastic plot with clever twists and turns that all comes together - brilliantly - at the end. The trouble is that you've been working on this for the past two years and you know when the flash-backs occur, when the hero is only pretending to love the beautiful (but evil) scientist and when she is disguising her true feelings for her country - your readers may not be quite as knowledgeable - unless you give them some clues. If you're going to change the mood you must alert your readers to this as early as possible - and we have dozens of words that will do this for you:
By using these words, you make it much easier for your readers to stay with you. Instead of having them gnashing their teeth in rage because they've been misled, they'll be admiring your deft handling of time-frames and mood switches; the subtle way you've shown the deceit of the villain and your dazzling denouement! There are numerous other words which act as SIGNALS and it is a useful exercise to be familiar with these. One of the characteristics which sets 'good' writing above 'blah blah blah' writing, is variety. Instead of writing then ... then ... then ..., you can vary your conclusions by using some of these: therefore consequently hence that means ... it can be seen that ... thus so Here are some more signals: Cause / effect ...makes ...produces ...results in ...leads to ...brings about ...gives rise to ...creates.. ...accounts for ...forms ...owing to .. due to ... because ... on account of ... the result of ... since ... as a result ... resulting in ... accordingly Contrast but although even though whereas while whilst in contrast however yet nevertheless despite unlike difference dissimilar on the other hand instead more ... than Similarity as ... as the same as in the same way like resemble in common just as ... as as if both neither ..nor either ... or alike Addition and as well as in addition to also besides together with not only ... but also moreover furthermore in conjunction with ... Sequence then after next last finally before subsequently initial
Restriction only just merely simply other than apart from except for everything else Alternative either ... or whether ... or instead of otherwise There are also words which clearly indicate varying degrees of chance: Certainty: certain, for sure, undoubtedly, must, definitely Probability: probably, likely, should, is expected to Possibility: possible, perhaps, maybe, may, can Improbability: unlikely, improbable, probably not, shouldn't Impossibility: impossible, can't, not possible Some other terms which show us when a change of direction is on the cards: however but instead even though otherwise still yet on the contrary Be very aware of the meaning of these 'little' words - even though they are little, they still get miffed if you use them incorrectly. Two which are often misused are 'and' and 'but'. You use 'and' when you are writing about two connected ideas. eg The children brushed their teeth and went to bed. Not: The children brushed their teeth and saw the plumber go past in his van. You use 'but' to distinguish between dissimilar ideas. eg She should have rung earlier but she forgot. Not: She should have rung earlier and she forgot. Last week's quiz: Eliminate the word that doesn't belong: 1. vapid, pungent, insipid, spiritless -PUNGENT 2. aversion, antipathy, repugnance, affinity - AFFINITY 3. repentance, remorse, obduracy, penitence - OBDURACY 4. recalcitrant, obstinate, amenable, refractory - AMENABLE 5. reticent, taciturn, voluble, uncommunicative - VOLUBLE And substitute one word for each of the following: 6. one who makes maps - CARTOGRAPHER 7. one who studies weather - METEOROLOGIST 8. one who fights wars for money - MERCENARY 9. one who studies stamps - PHILATELIST 10.one who studies birds - ORNITHOLOGIST This week's quiz: 1. Write abstract nouns that correspond to these: strong - wide - haughty - wise - exact - 2. Form adjectives from these: myth - dogma - cohere - express - choir - These wonderful new words were sent to me by Alan: The Washington Post's Style Invitational asked readers to take any word Glibido: Can you come up with any others? If so, let me know. A Latin phrase that you may find yourself using as you embark on the Christmas gift-buying spree: Libellus comparandorum? Qui libellus comparandorum? (Shopping list? What shopping list?) Dieting Tip 2. Calories don't count if they're not on your plate. Keep in mind the Possession Rule of weight maintenance: other people's food has no calories. If your dining companion orders cheesecake and you eat half of it, your partner will gain all the weight. Donuts, chips or Mars Bars purchased in the name of minor children remain the caloric possession of those children - regardless of who eats them.
Jennifer To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to WritingTips-unsubscribe@onelist.com or go to the ONElist web site, at www.onelist.com, and select the User Centre link from the menu bar on the left. This menu will also let you change your subscription between digest and normal mode.
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