7 Ways to Turn Readers Into Friends
Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a term paper I knew just what to do. I quickly researched the report, and wrote it as fast as I could.
Next, I reached for a thesaurus and looked up complicated, multi-syllable synonyms for my easy words. This turned my paper into a complex, obtuse mess.
That was wrong, wrong, wrong! Once I started to write for a living, I quickly discovered that if readers don't understand something, they simply quit reading!
So how can you make your writing less formal, more personal, and turn readers into interested friends? Here are some ideas I've stumbled across:
1. Think about a specific reader when you write. I usually picture a family member. This tends to make my writing less formal.
2. Ask a question. Example: "Do you ever get bored reading a long, complicated report?"
3. Propose a solution. Example: "Here's a way to alleviate afternoon boredom."
4. Present new evidence: Example: "My brother - a historian - claims he's discovered three new traits about medieval knights."
5. Offer free advice. Example: "I've found a new way to write research papers."
6. Share a shortcut. Example: "Here's a timesaving method to exercise better and more efficiently."
7. Tell how or why you started a project. Example: "I started this company with one goal: to help people find the job best suited for them."
Rix Quinn wrote the book of writing tips "Words That Stick." It's available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/
For more information on his frequent phone seminars, e-mail him at mailto:rixquinn@charter.net
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Oscar-Winner Christoph Waltz Writing/Directing Rom-Com 'Up And Away' MTV.com (blog) Now that you've become a fan of Christoph Waltz through his Oscar-winning performance as Hans Landa in "Inglourious Basterds," can the Austrian actor woo ... |
 PR-inside.com (press release) | COPYWRITERS SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR NEXT OFFLINE/ONLINE WRITING PROJECT PR-inside.com (press release) The fact is some copywriters or marketing writers think writing projects are built. Some of the copywriters think writing is engineered as well. ... IF SEEKING A MARKETING WRITER OR A TRUE COPYWRITERS FAST AND PROVEN RESULTS ... |
Historical writer credits research and experience Henderson Gleaner The writer must write "as the historical figures would have liked themselves to sound," said Thom, who took time from writing award-winning historical ... |
 USA Today | Must schools change how writing teachers are taught? USA Today LOUISVILLE — "I was incredibly well trained to teach college writing, but only one course at a time. ... When Writing Class Moves Online |
 MiamiHerald.com | Author digs deep to define characters MiamiHerald.com ``The book for me is about what happens after fate strikes,'' Lee says from Princeton, where he teaches in the MFA writing program. ... His own family's war experiences led author to valiant tale of survival |
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