In need of a guide

Gabriel · 03-10-2002, 03:42 PM

Hi!
I have recently decided to put my toughts on paper, to better get organized, and not to lose myself in the avalanche of media-based propaganda.

My problems is that I'm awful at writting. I tried to follow the standard rules, like making a plan, and K.I.S.S., but I still think that there's place for improvement.

So... If you know, what's a great guide to writting? (not literary stuff, just plain logs and other notes).

This may seem trivial, but the way in which I decide to preserve my toughts might be crucial in 5-10 years, when I'll try to decypher it.

Thanks.

Undertoad · 03-10-2002, 04:21 PM

For writing English, the book "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White is considered to be the authority, at least in the US.

If you just want to be a better writer, the only thing you can do is write, and write all the time. The easiest way to do that is to participate in a lot of forums... like the Cellar!

I've watched a lot of people become great writers through electronic and internet communities. There's something motivational about it, because you're not writing for a grade or for a meaningless school paper, you're writing to real people who will definitely read what you've written.

Of course, some of the forums out there are full of idiots, and writing to them probably won't help...

Scopulus Argentarius · 03-10-2002, 09:18 PM

I agree with undertoad. Strunk and White is the way to go. They're philosophy is : cut the fluff and the essense of what you speak is true and good. Simple, concise, direct language is extremely effective.

You may find an online version of the "little book" through refdesk.com. If you can find it at a bookstore, buy it.

Cheers

MaggieL · 03-10-2002, 10:13 PM

http://www.bartleby.com/141/ is the original 1918 work by Strunk alone...handy to have online.

Another wonderful reference covering much more of the writer's craft is The Holt Handbook, which is also online: http://english.olivet.edu/holt/

A good list of writing resources is:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts.../Style_Guides/

It's nice to see somebody take their wordsmithing seriously.

Nic Name · 03-11-2002, 01:02 AM

The Guide to Grammar and Writing is very helpful.

Gabriel, as far as getting your thoughts on "paper" is concerned, you may want to consider the new technology journalism medium -- weblogs.

www.blogger.com
www.weblogs.com

And it's FREE speech.

Gabriel · 03-11-2002, 02:11 AM

It's not public, so that won't be an issue. Besides, I'm a web programmer myself, and I could code what I need in an afternoon ;-)

Phrontistes · 03-19-2002, 10:02 PM

http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/

This one is pretty handy - helps with titles, planning, citations and such.

Of course, my personal preference is not to plan at all, for most essays. I think it just cramps my non-existent style. Anyway, my teachers don't seem to mind, so I'm in no rush to become a "good" writer.

Good luck with your paper!

SteveDallas · 03-20-2002, 12:24 PM

Strunk & White is a good reference... I second (or fifth or whatever) it.

Also I find "Fowler's Modern English Usage" very handy.

And when I'm feeling pedantic, nothing beats the Chicago Manual of Style.

03-10-2002, 03:42 PM	#1
Gabriel Sibling of the Commonweal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bucuresti, Romania Posts: 16	In need of a guide Hi! I have recently decided to put my toughts on paper, to better get organized, and not to lose myself in the avalanche of media-based propaganda. My problems is that I'm awful at writting. I tried to follow the standard rules, like making a plan, and K.I.S.S., but I still think that there's place for improvement. So... If you know, what's a great guide to writting? (not literary stuff, just plain logs and other notes). This may seem trivial, but the way in which I decide to preserve my toughts might be crucial in 5-10 years, when I'll try to decypher it. Thanks.

03-10-2002, 10:13 PM	#4
MaggieL in the Hour of Scampering Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jeffersonville PA (15 mi NW of Philadelphia) Posts: 4,060	http://www.bartleby.com/141/ is the original 1918 work by Strunk alone...handy to have online. Another wonderful reference covering much more of the writer's craft is The Holt Handbook, which is also online: http://english.olivet.edu/holt/ A good list of writing resources is: http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts.../Style_Guides/ It's nice to see somebody take their wordsmithing seriously. __________________ "Neither can his Mind be thought to be in Tune,whose words do jarre; nor his reason In frame, whose sentence is preposterous..."

03-11-2002, 01:02 AM	#5
Nic Name retired Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,930	The Guide to Grammar and Writing is very helpful. Gabriel, as far as getting your thoughts on "paper" is concerned, you may want to consider the new technology journalism medium -- weblogs. www.blogger.com www.weblogs.com And it's FREE speech. Last edited by Nic Name; 03-11-2002 at 01:05 AM.

03-10-2002, 04:21 PM	#2
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	For writing English, the book "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White is considered to be the authority, at least in the US. If you just want to be a better writer, the only thing you can do is write, and write all the time. The easiest way to do that is to participate in a lot of forums... like the Cellar! I've watched a lot of people become great writers through electronic and internet communities. There's something motivational about it, because you're not writing for a grade or for a meaningless school paper, you're writing to real people who will definitely read what you've written. Of course, some of the forums out there are full of idiots, and writing to them probably won't help...

03-10-2002, 09:18 PM	#3
Scopulus Argentarius Your current user title is: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: BTR Posts: 301	I agree with undertoad. Strunk and White is the way to go. They're philosophy is : cut the fluff and the essense of what you speak is true and good. Simple, concise, direct language is extremely effective. You may find an online version of the "little book" through refdesk.com. If you can find it at a bookstore, buy it. Cheers

03-11-2002, 02:11 AM	#6
Gabriel Sibling of the Commonweal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bucuresti, Romania Posts: 16	It's not public, so that won't be an issue. Besides, I'm a web programmer myself, and I could code what I need in an afternoon ;-)

03-19-2002, 10:02 PM	#7
Phrontistes Recruit or Something Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: BA Posts: 4	http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/ This one is pretty handy - helps with titles, planning, citations and such. Of course, my personal preference is not to plan at all, for most essays. I think it just cramps my non-existent style. Anyway, my teachers don't seem to mind, so I'm in no rush to become a "good" writer. Good luck with your paper!

03-20-2002, 12:24 PM	#8
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Strunk & White is a good reference... I second (or fifth or whatever) it. Also I find "Fowler's Modern English Usage" very handy. And when I'm feeling pedantic, nothing beats the Chicago Manual of Style.

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