Writing: A Broad Overview

Transcription

1 Writing: A Broad Overview Aslam Kakar Ph.D. Student Global Affairs Program Rutgers University- Newark St. Peter s University, July 13, 2018

2 outline Part I: writing Part II: tips and tricks Part III: writing tools

3 part I: writing

4 write Sources: steps- to- better- writing/

5 to edit is divine

6 why write? 7"REASONS!(there!could!be!more)!! Orwell s"four"desires,! 1.!Sheer"egoism:"Desire!to!seem!clever,!to!be!talked!about,!to!be! remembered!after!death! 2.!Aesthetic"enthusiasm:"Desire!to!share!an!experience!which!one! feels!is!valuable!and!ought!not!to!be!missed.!! 3.!Historical"impulse:"Desire!to!see!things!as!they!are,!to!find!out! true!facts!and!store!them!up!for!the!use!of!posterity! 4.!Political"purpose:"Desire!to!push!the!world!in!a!certain!direction!! " I"think,!! 5.!Desire"to"stand"for"a"principle/vision:"In!writing,!you!affirm!your! position!on!issues! 6.!Uniqueness"of"your"voice:"Others!may!not!see!and!describe!the! world!the!way!you!do! " Mundane"purpose" 7.!Work,"education,"commerce,"communications,"etc.""!

7 types of writing Type Aim Based in Language Target Academic Results, facts and critical analyses Research, data analysis and synthesis Formal Specialized audience Creative Tell a factual or fictitious story Imaginative or creative work Informal Broad audience of non- specialists Journalistic Tell a factual story or opinion about recent/current events Research, data analysis and synthesis In between formal and informal Broad audience and specialists

8 part II: tips and tricks

9 useful do s and don ts of writing Do s Attribute (don t editorialize) Use active voice Keep direct quotes minimal Clear and short titles Take a walk if you are stuck Meditate for 5-10 minutes Write down your ideas Ask a friend to proofread Don ts Long sentences Verbosity Poor punctuation Repetitiveness Lack of specificity Copy/paste Personal language Clunky paragraphs

10 6 essential tips for beginners 1. Read every day 2. Master basic grammar skills 3. Start with a sentence 4. After a sentence, write another 5. Write a paragraph 6. Learn the correct use of words

11 3 common myths about writing 1. Writing is a natural gift 2. It is a privilege of the rich 3. You need to be well- educated to be a writer

12 e- mail writing etiquette Start with a formal salutation Keep it short End with a respectful closing Didn t get an immediate reply? Wait! Ask your professors how you should address them

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14 how to write an essay? Read and understand the question Introduction State your thesis right away. Synthesize diverse sources to develop your independent position Briefly touch upon the anti- thesis Discuss your thesis in light of the anti- thesis to present a new proposition Body paragraphs Topic sentences to substantiate your thesis Conclusion Restate your argument in different words in light of the developments presented in the body If necessary introduce a new idea or propose an opinion

15 part III : writing tools

16 grammarly Spell check Words Active/passive voice Punctuations Capitalization Type of writing Audience Etc. app.grammarly.com

17 plagiarism Plagiarism: the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. It is against the code of academic conduct and, therefore, illegal If you practice plagiarism, intentionally or unintentionally, expect punitive grades to other extreme penalties Paraphrase in your own words Here is where you can check if you are copying or not Link: checker/

18 recommended books The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Letters to a Young Writer: Some Practical and Philosophical Advice, by Colum McCann Writing Science in Plain English, by Anne Greene On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Golberg Why I Write? By George Orwell The Storytelling Edge, by Joe Lazauskas and Shane Snow On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction, William Zinsser Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard

19 other advice If you need help, ask for it: visit writing centers in your University Look for workshops, usually in the library Don t do things at the last minute, give yourself plenty of time to proofread and edit For more details, visit my blog at

20 thank you! any questions?

21 questions writers should ask Are you constantly seeking ways to master the art of writing? Do you read widely and non- stop? And do you study the top writers and bloggers? Are you trying to fit in with the crowd? Or are you intentionally challenging the status quo? Are you looking for ways to stand out? To confront? To appear slightly off your rocker? And does it come natural? Do you have the capacity for solitude? Do you have a personal stake in your writing? Do you imprint your personality on your work?

22 cont Look deep down inside yourself and ask, What do I want people to say about me when I die? And is it big enough to make a dent in the universe? Is it big enough to attract the attention of a thousand people? Do you push yourself to find topics that demand attention regardless of the negative response they could represent? Do you discipline yourself to search for ideas that confront and challenge others? Do you lose sleep over your legacy or your sense of its inadequacies? Would you still write if no one cared? Source: Copyblogger