The Writing Tips Game

[Faithfullyclever]

Haha! I just thought of this game (maybe it is an old one I have never heard of).

How about a game that involves leaving writing tips. It can be a verrrrrryyyy looooonnnnngggg tip (like a paragraph or two), or just a couple words (such as: I before E, except after C).

This kind of game could be fun, don't you think? Educational and fun is the best way to go!

I suppose I will start off.

"e.g. vs. i.e."

"E.g." stands for "for example" and "i.e." stands for "that is".

 

[Axioma]

There's also "viz." It means something like "Namely, that is to say", that sort of thing.

usage: The main point of his speech, viz. that our attitude was in fact harmful, was not understood.

 

[Faithfullyclever]

That was a perfect reply and just what I was looking for. Lets see...

"Eliminate unnessacary words". Now I don't know if I always follow that tip, but I have heard it a couple of times.

I just went to go look it up and found it on this post : 6 TIPS FOR BETTER WRITING

 

[Tariel]

Write with verbs and nouns.

 

[Wirraway]

buy a copy of Stunk & White's Elements of Style and memorize it. (that's where "eliminate unnecessary words" is from)

read speeches by Lincoln and Churchill, possibly get a copy of Garry Wills' Lincoln at Gettysburg

 

[Axioma]

I'd also suggest Stepen King's On Writing. Which, by the way, again echoes the Elements of Style in telling you to avoid unneccessary words., but adds another bit which I found rang true to me - avoid adverbs when reporting speech.

Stuff like
"You'll pay for that!" she said angrily.

I mean, shouldn't the content of her message, combind with the story leading up to this moment, make it pretty obvious that she's angry? And if so, we return again to AVOID UNNECESSARY WORDS.