Right, Tight, Bite
Questions to improve your writing John Couper, Ph.D. Communication Impact http://communicationimpact.wordpress.com
a. Right
Good writing has – Correct facts – Implications that improve understanding – Reasonable context – Useful connections – Ways to liven the reader’s pulse
Be
accurate by recording and checking every important fact
“Which sources are most credible?”
Make
realistic connections
“What is fact, what is speculation, and how can I show which is which?”
Report
important context
“What would help readers make sense of the main story?”
Be
ready to defend what you write
“How would I explain my reasons for reporting/ concluding that?”
Be
balanced and fair
“Am I reporting this in a neutral way that covers all its main aspects?”
Report
all key perspectives
“Who would have a different/contradictory view?” “Who could be involved and affected in this?”
Include
realistic summaries and conclusions
“What would help readers make their own judgments?”
Include
information that matters to readers
“What do readers know? What do they want to know?”
Make
sure the story follows AP and English usage
“have I checked references for correct language?”
Correctly
select, introduce and edit quotes
“would the speaker agree with what this quote conveys?”
Start
writing with the close, “pivot sentence” or hook (catchy idea)
“what is my key idea, and what would lead to and follow it?”
b. Tight Good
writing doesn’t waste –Words –The reader’s time –The chance to communicate
Cut
any words, phrases or information/ideas that aren’t necessary
“what can I cut that won’t reduce reader understanding?”
Find
and apply a strong focus
“what is my ‘take-home message’ and 1 to 3 support messages?”
Connect
words for readers by keeping them close
“How can I pull closer together the subject/verb, noun/modifier, etc.?”
Report
events and information chronologically when possible
“How can I show the order that events really happened?”
ď Ž Decide
the single point for each sentence and paragraph
“What is the single point here, before I start a new sentence or paragraph?�
For
key points, use simple declarative sentences for maximum impact
“Should this have a simple, subject-verb-object shape?”
Simplify
whenever possible
“How can I make this clean and uncluttered?”
c. Bite
Good writing – connects with readers – connects them with aspects of their world – is Fresh (expressions that are new), Dramatic (tells a strong story), Lively (uses vivid words and ideas)
Start
with what interested you: first idea is often the best start
“what about this story first attracted or jumped out at me?”
Boldly
imagine, link and express ideas
“how
can I take chances that make this stronger?”
Increase
impact, –Without losing accuracy or the style/type of story
“how can I vividly bring out this fact, description or idea?”
Let
the story tell itself
“How can I ‘get out of the way’ by directly describing and explaining?”
Use
verbs as much as you can, then nouns, and adjectives only when you must
“which verbs can I use that imply nouns, and which nouns that imply adjectives?”
Use
active voice (passive uses
a helper conjugation of “is”; avoid “there was…that…”)
“who or what made something happen?”
Think
of a story as a series of questions and answers
“what question does this raise for viewers, and how can I answer it?”
Use
words that are as vivid and concrete as possible
“which word is easiest to visualize?”
Give
readers transitions, implied if possible, based on a flow of ideas
“what idea leads to the next topic?”
Use
specific terms and connections
“which word says that exactly?”
Close
with a “kicker”
“which strong, clear sentence sums up the meaning and/or future of this?”
Vary
the lengths of your sentences
“Which short sentence can follow this long, complicated one?”
Replace
abstract words with concrete ones
“What
word can I find that I could visualize?”
Use
ideas that readers will find significant and intriguing
“what about this matters to readers (not to sources)?”
Notice,
imagine and write cause/effect and other relationships
“what led to, or is connected to, something else?”
Decide
on a clear shape: open, hook, body series, close
“If this story were for a 10-yearold reader, how would I tell it?”
Improve
clarity by using as few perspectives as possible
“What is the ‘cast of characters’ driving this story?”
Use
all levels: –details, categories/sets, major ideas
“how can I explain this with examples, concepts, grouping, etc.?”
Make
your writing “musical” by reading out loud
“how can I say this to give it flow and a pleasing rhythm?”
Use
language that sounds everyday (within conventions)
“which complicated wording can be more conversational?”
So… Respect
reality and usefulness
Respect
time and opportunity
Respect
reader enjoyment