Writing: A Broad Overview
Aslam KakarPh.D. Student
Global Affairs ProgramRutgers University-‐Newark
St. Peter’s University, July 13, 2018
outline
• Part I: writing
• Part II: tips and tricks
• Part III: writing tools
part I:
writing
Sources: https://www.copyblogger.com/10-‐steps-‐to-‐better-‐writing/
write…
…to edit is divine
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.""
!
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
part II:
tips and tricks
useful do’s and don’ts of writing
• Don’ts⎼ Long sentences ⎼Verbosity ⎼Poor punctuation ⎼Repetitiveness⎼ Lack of specificity⎼Copy/paste ⎼Personal language⎼Clunky paragraphs
• 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
6 essential tips for beginners
1. Read every day2. Master basic grammar skills3. Start with a sentence4. After a sentence, write another5. Write a paragraph6. Learn the correct use of words
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
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
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
part III :
writing tools
grammarly
• Spell check• Words• Active/passive voice• Punctuations• Capitalization• Type of writing• Audience• Etc.
app.grammarly.com
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 wordsHere is where you can check if you are copying or notLink: https://smallseotools.com/plagiarism-‐checker/
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
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 https://aslamkakar.com
thank you!
any questions?
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?
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