|
|
10 Secrets to Writing Grants that Get Funded
1. Understand the needs of the grantors. Behind every foundation grant is a philosophy, intention or basic principal. These principles not only determine how grants are funded, if you pay attention, they will also tell you how to approach the...
3 Strange And Twisted Copywriting Tactics!
1. You can build credibility with your prospects by telling them you can't solve all their problems, but you can solve a percentage of them. For example: My product can't eliminate all your problems, but what if it could take away 97.5% percent of...
How To Stay Fit While Writing
Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing that novel or story, and over time, this can become a potential problem. Their metabolism may slow down and the pounds can inch up. Statistics show all kinds of health problems associated with...
Improve Your Writing
None of us will be brilliant writers the moment we first pick up a pen or hit the keyboard. Its a fact. Were beginners and while some will be beginning with better skills and understandings than others, none of us will be the best writer we can...
Writing Made Them Rich #3: Richard Bach
One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into a diner somewhere in the United Sates. Slung over his shoulder was a kit-bag that contained everything he owned. He was unshaven and needed a shower badly. He had very little money, but enough...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PUT IT IN WRITING!
Ever been asked to 'Put it in Writing.'? Sure, you have. Did you immediately go to your desk and effortlessly record your thoughts and suggestions? Or, perhaps, you struggled and anguished? For most folks, producing useful, credible and appropriate written communication requires careful thought. Those folks are wise. Written communication is an excellent opportunity to showcase your communication skills. Writing something down not only clarifies an issue, it tends to gives the idea longevity, and, sometimes, a life of its own. Write carefully!
Written communication can be a double-edged sword, can't it? Well done, it can positively influence your career. Poorly, quickly or thoughtlessly done, it can work against you repeatedly. In a way, it IS written in stone. There it sits for everyone to see...and revisit.
Caution: Avoid putting negative information in writing! Absolutely do not put negative information in writing unless it is accurately supported by verifiable fact.
If you want or need to convey your opinion or perception, do so orally. Say it, rather than write it. Things have a tendency to be scrutinized much more closely when they are in writing. Folks look for inaccuracies and 'fodder for blame' in written communication. Written words scribed in the heat of the moment can sit in someone's files and become inadvertent weapons for years to come. A negative written communication can become a time bomb just waiting for the wrong person to detonate it. In 'Getting Promoted', Harry E. Chambers says: "Enemies created in writing tend to have long life spans." Be careful.
There are a few basic guidelines to keep in mind before you put pen to paper or allow your fingers to touch those keys. Sure, the important thing is the message itself, however, how that message is conveyed is a message in itself! Grammar counts. Poor grammar detracts from the message. You do not want anything to get in the way of your important message, do you? Your computer may be a help as it suggests grammatical changes, but, it is not infallible. You need the skills to catch errors. You know
that your spell checker is limited otherwise it would not have left this poem intact:
Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea. It plainly marcs four my revue Miss steaks eye kin Knot Sea. Eye strikes a key And type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar write It shows me strait a weigh. As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Its rare lea ever wrong. Eye has run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My checker tolled me sew.
(borrowed from www.virginiawater.co.uk/webnews/webnewsapr00.html Thanks.)
Make your writing concise. No one has the time or desire to read a novel about your topic. "Just the facts, Ma'am." That's what's needed. Quality, not quantity, is best. Winston Churchill is reported to have said to an aide placing a three-inch-high report on his desk, "That report, by its very size, demands that it will never be read." Be sure to read what you write before you send it. No one needs an exercise in endurance to capture your point.
Take every opportunity to put positive information in writing. Thank and congratulate folks. Report on all successes, major and minor. Recommend solutions. Provide updates. When you've got something good to say, Harry Chambers says: "Insure accuracy, provide proof when available or necessary, and distribute the communication as widely as possible." Being the author of good news can put your name in a positive light when promotion time arrives, too! This has got to be good!
Write as you speak and speak thoughtfully. This is the best guideline for written communication at work.
About the Author
Dr. Shaler speaks to thousands of people each year giving them and their organizations The OKs to SUCCEED!" --the Optimization Keys to lift their sights and elevate results from acceptable to EXCEPTIONAL. She is the author of 'Optimize Your Day! Practical Wisdom for Optimal Living. Her book as well as her free ezines are available from her website, www.OptimizeLifeNow.com
|
|
|
|
|
Writing.Com: Writers, Writing, Poetry, Creative Writing, Fiction ... |
An online community dedicated to fostering writing skills. With a free membership anyone may read, write, rate, and review works. |
www.writing.com |
  |
Welcome to Writing-World.com! |
Writing articles and resources. Tips about how to become a better writer, get published and find writing markets. From Moira Allen. |
www.writing-world.com |
  |
Guide to Grammar and Writing |
The Guide to Grammar and Writing contains scores of digital handouts on grammar and English usage, over 170 computer-graded quizzes, recommendations on ... |
grammar.ccc.commnet.edu |
  |
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab - The OWL Family of Sites |
Writing lab and resources. Email newsletter available. |
owl.english.purdue.edu |
  |
OWL at Purdue University: General Writing Concerns Handouts |
This page contains important links to the writing: planning/writing/revising aspects of the OWL website. |
owl.english.purdue.edu |
  |
Writing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
The original Mesopotamian writing system was initially derived from a system of ... If it is deemed to be a written language, writing in China will predate ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
  |
Writing.org - Advice for Freelance Writers |
Articles to help you launch a freelance writing career, from a former literary agent and PLAYBOY editor. |
www.writing.org |
  |
Writing HTML |
More than just an HTML reference, this is a structured approach for learning how to create web pages, designed by specialists in learning at the Maricopa ... |
www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu |
  |
National Novel Writing Month - National Novel Writing Month |
NaNoWriMo is an annual (November) novel writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world. |
www.nanowrimo.org |
  |
Poynter Online |
Apply by Dec. 11 Reporting and Writing the Untold Stories Apply by Dec. 11 ... Reporting & Writing for Multi-Platform Newsrooms. Apply by Jan. 10 ... |
www.poynter.org |
  |
Pages tagged with "writing" on del.icio.us |
This short online course provides a practical introduction to writing fiction. During the course you will be expected to write two short pieces for ... |
del.icio.us |
  |
BBC Get Writing |
The BBC's online resource for writing drama and comedy for television, radio and film. |
www.bbc.co.uk |
  |
TOC About Writing |
Menu of articles on writing written by professional SF/F writers. |
www.sfwa.org |
  |
11 Rules of Writing -- a concise guide to important grammar ... |
A concise guide to some of the most frequently violated rules of writing, punctuation, and grammar. |
www.junketstudies.com |
  |
NAEP Writing Subject Area |
NAEP assesses student performance in writing periodically in grades 4, 8, and 12 for the nation, and in grades 4 and 8 for the states. |
nces.ed.gov |
  |
Writing: See what people are saying right now on Technorati |
See all blog posts tagged with writing on Technorati. |
www.technorati.com |
  |
IPL Teenspace: A+ Research & Writing |
Includes step-by-step instructions on researching and writing, how to find information online and offline, as well as links to useful resources. |
www.ipl.org |
  |
Dictionary.com: Writing Resources |
Free online English dictionary and reference guide. List of sites writers can use. |
dictionary.reference.com |
  |
WritingFix: Home of Interactive Writing Prompts and 6 Trait ... |
Daily and interactive writing prompts. |
www.writingfix.com |
  |
Advice on Academic Writing |
Includes articles on critical reading, planning, researching, style and editing, grammar and punctuation. |
www.utoronto.ca |
  |
|