Effective Writing

Have you noticed that you consistently fall into one point of view (POV) when you begin writing an article or other similar document? This process is so routine that many writers don’t think about the importance of the point of view they’re using, though most of us automatically write in the point of view with which we’re most comfortable. When you’re in high school, you’re briefly introduced to points of view and generally told to stay away from the personal pronoun “I.” If you go to college, you tend to write in the third person, as it is often more objective and impersonal. Eventually, consciously or not, you begin to realize that point of view in a professional email or an article is just as important as style, tone and word choice.

Next time you sit down to write, think about which point of view is most appropriate. Is your goal to instruct and advise or to participate and observe? These are questions you need to ask before you sit down and begin your project.

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Technical writing bears a special place in the writing world. It requires a diligence and knowledge base that goes beyond a little research; even people who call themselves ‘technical writers’ many times end up taking confusing jargon and changing it to, well, more confusing jargon. Good technical writing requires the author to be neat, organized, and above all, concise.

In the beginning, technical writing primarily referred to writing about technology in the form of content like end-user manuals, white papers, system design documents, web sites, and similar materials for companies like engineering firms and IT companies. In the last few years, however, technical writing has evolved and drifted into many other fields such as finance, business, marketing, and more. (Continued)

The right quote is essential when you’re replying to an inquiry from a potential client. There’s no set formula for creating a quote because each project is different. There are, however, certain elements you can include in your quote to increase its effectiveness.

Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to create a professional, effective writing quote.

One, include a header with your company name/logo and information. This is important as it shows you care about the image you present and that you are professional and know what you’re doing.

Two, use sub-headers, such as “Included Services” and “Price & Terms.” They are essential to creating a well-organized quote that is easy to follow and direct. (Continued)

A professional writing quote should be clear, concise, and informative. The goal is to tell the client exactly what you’re going to do for them and how you’re going to do it. The more detailed and professional the quote, the better chance you have of nailing the job.

Tip: for maximum effectiveness, make good use of bulleted lists, sub-headers, and a professional logo or header. Here is an example format you might use: (Continued)

If you’re looking for specific information about writing, editing, or the like, please let us know; we can probably help. If you have writing or editing questions you’d like answered, leave a comment and we’ll reply.

Recently there have been a slew of questions about writing for Wikipedia. Writing for Wikipedia is actually quite easy; here are some easy steps to follow. Keep in mind that while you can edit a page anonymously, you will be more effective if you do so as a user. Here’s how to start: (Continued)