Comments on: Why You Should Improve Your Writing Skills … And How To Get Started

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:10:39 +0000

This is one of the worst posts I’ve yet to read on SitePoint. It addresses the first half of the title, but “And How To Get Started” is not addressed – instead a list of things you should do is provided, rather than how to do them.

I had high hopes when I read the title, as I am trying to improve my writing skills, and would love to know how to address “Write appropriately for the format” and “Avoid being too formal, or too casual”; this article clearly isn’t the place to find out.

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:13:13 +0000

Alyssa,

A very nice post, and even I re-learned two things in reading it and the comments. First, since I am the world’s absolute worst typist, checking my work 3 or 4 times is a good idea (tho sometimes I can miss stuff even then). Secondly, there is always someone who will find the most infinitesimally small error (or opinion of one)in one’s work.

From my readings of the SitePoint posts, and my own included, your articles contain less errors than anyone’s. Appropriate that you should be the one to help everyone. I might suggest everyone, including the other authors, look at your style and take these pointers to heart.

Thanks for the good advice, and keep doing what you are doing. Including using journalistic style where necessary. :)

Always,
Phil

By: guruguy

guruguy — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:51:30 +0000

@markfiend – A thesaurus is only good to pick out words that you don’t make an immediate connection with. I never use a word from a thesaurus if it is outside of my normal vocabulary. This minimizes thesaurus use for use only when specifically searching for a synonym or similar word, rather than just going through to change up what you are writing

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:13:59 +0000

@Vincent: Actually, I’m not so sure that’s incorrect – although “Poor and ineffective writing” might have been a better way to start the phrase, and “reputation” and “ability” could have been preceded with “your”…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:28:12 +0000

@markfiend: On the contrary, a thesaurus allows the writer to avoid repeating terms, by using synonyms for greater variety.

By: markfiend

markfiend — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:27:54 +0000

I never use a thesaurus. Writers who do so frequently make it obvious with their repeated, duplicated, recapitulated and recurring vocabulary. ;-)

By: Stevie D

Stevie D — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:39:53 +0000

One of the best guides I have come across is the Guardian Style Guide. Although written primarily for the paper’s journalists, it has a lot of useful tips and points of grammar and style that all writers would do well to bear in mind.

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2004/07/15/styleguidepdfjuly2004.pdf

(Yes, it’s a bit out of date. It looks as though the latest version is available for purchase but not for free download)

By: Cardenus

Cardenus — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:15:22 +0000

Should we avoid contractions?

By: Vincent

Vincent — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:03:04 +0000

“Ineffective and poor writing can negatively impact your work, reputation and ability to serve your clients.“

I don’t mean to be a jerk, but it should be “…can have a negative impact on…” I wouldn’t feel the need to point out this minor (and very common) grammar mistake, but it occurs in an article about improving one’s writing skills. Otherwise, it’s a good post! :)