Content writing quickstart
9 easy writing steps to get you started!
Do you hate to write? Is it a struggle? Would you rather have a tooth pulled than sit down to write? Hold the Novocain! It’s not that hard. In fact, I can show you how to be an Easy Writer in 9 easy steps!
1. Think.
That is where all good writing starts-by thinking. What do you need to say? “I was late sending my car payment in last month because Fluffy had to have emergency surgery and I forgot to send the check on time.”
2. Jot it Down.
Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Get the information out of your head and onto the paper. “Fluffy, surgery, worried, didn’t send check on time, had money in bank, don’t want to pay late fee.”
3. Write Like You Speak.
Say out loud what you would say to the bank officer. “I want to explain why my car payment was late last month.” Write that down.
4. Elaborate.
Now, tell the bank officer more. “Fluffy, my beloved cat who just turned 12, ate a Lego and had to have emergency surgery early in November. My car payment was due November 6, I think, but I was so worried that I forgot to mail the check on time. I didn’t mail the check until around November 11. I know the payment was late and I want to apologize. I would like you to consider my circumstances and waive the late fee this one time for my oversight.”
5. Research.
Are there any missing parts? When was your payment due, exactly? When was Fluffy’s surgery? Get it right.
6. Finish Writing.
Now, go back and add the missing dates and details. Be clear about what happened and when. Remember, write like you speak. Don’t try to impress or use big words. Just write it simply and get it all down on paper.
7. Take a Break.
You did it! You got your thoughts on paper. Go have a cold beverage and relax for a few minutes. You deserve it!
8. Polish.
Now that you’re refreshed, go back and look at what you wrote. Run a spell check. Read it aloud. Ask someone else to read it. Fix any formatting or grammar problems. Keep your page looking clean and simple. You want to communicate after all, not impress the bank officer.
9. Hand it Over.
Now, send that letter. Be proud that you communicated and completed your task. I knew you could do it!
Author Information:
Peggy Hazelwood is a writer and editor with 20 years of experience. She runs the Albooktross electronic bookstore, http://www.albooktross.com/, and the site for writing made easy, http://www.ezeewriter.com/.
(c) Copyright 2001 by Peggy Hazelwood All Rights Reserved
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
More Website Content Articles
More By Developer Shed
developerWorks - FREE Tools! |
Join this webcast, to learn how the Rational Process Library can help with compliance issues, drive process improvement, and assist in service-oriented architecture (SOA) or Agile development. We will take a peek into the Rational Process Library with content around software and systems engineering (including RUP), operations and systems management, program and portfolio management, and asset and SOA governance. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference, featuring Paul Boustany and Mark Krasovich, to speak to the experts about becoming a Rational ClearCase power user. Get a chance to ask your questions and learn tips and tricks for using Rational ClearCase in Agile development FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
As businesses grow increasingly dependent upon Web applications to provide services to customers, employees and partners, these complex applications become more difficult to secure. Although traditional security solutions protect Internet infrastructure layers, they do not guard against HTTP and HTML attacks. Many organizations that conduct security testing still deploy applications that allow attackers to manipulate their logic and wreak havoc on their business. To mitigate this risk, development and delivery teams must address Web application security throughout the lifecycle, addressing the many layers detailed in this paper. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Effective governance for lean development isn’t about command and control. Instead, the focus is on enabling the right behaviors and practices through collaborative and supportive techniques. Hear from Scott Ambler on how it is far more effective to motivate people to do the right thing than it is to force them to do so. Learn how to form a lightweight, collaboration-based framework that reflects the realities of modern IT organizations. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download a free trial version of IBM Rational Business Developer V7.1. Rational Business Developer offers rapid and simplified development of business applications and services through Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) tools, generating Java or mainframe solutions while shielding developers from technical complexities. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download a free trial version of WebSphere Extended Deployment Compute Grid, which lets you schedule, execute, and monitor batch jobs. Because online transaction processing and batch jobs execute simultaneously on the same server resources, you can avoid costly duplication of resources. Compute Grid supports job types of Java transactional batch, compute-intensive and a new type called "native execution", which enables non-Java workloads to run on distributed end points. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
In this tutorial, you can learn how to install and configure the IBM Rational Asset Manager Eclipse client, explore the different views in the Asset Management perspective, learn various search techniques, work with existing assets, and submit a new asset. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Learn from the best! Find out how developers use Rational ClearCase to be more flexible, innovative and deliver higher quality code in the Rational ClearCase Power Users eKit. This complimentary eKit provides a collection of materials, like articles, whitepapers, and demos that can help you become a power user of Rational ClearCase. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Rational Build Forge Express Edition is an automation framework that packages the latest enterprise-grade technologies into a reliable, flexible and robust configuration designed and priced specifically for small to midsize businesses. The new Rational Build Forge Express eKit provides you with valuable resources – including a case study, podcast, demo, and articles – to help you increase staff productivity, compress development cycles and deliver better software, fast. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
WebSphere Process Server delivers a unique integration framework that simplifies existing IT resources. Often, as IT assets grow to support business demand, so too does their complexity and manageability. In this webcast, we’ll discuss how WebSphere Process Server helps deliver an SOA infrastructure that provides a common model to orchestrate, mediate, connect, map, and execute the underlying IT functions. Discover how WebSphere Process Server simplifies integration of business processes by leveraging existing IT assets as reusable services without the complexities of traditional integration methodologies. FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools! |