Tips Writing

It's a source of fascination to see the challenge some people have in following a formula I suggest for writing tips. Although this is a topic I addressed recently, it bears further attention.

Here's the formula, plain and simple:

"One sentence starting with a positive verb (action word), followed by no more than two sentences explaining "why" or "how."


EXAMPLE:
"Use a spiral notebook for capturing random ideas, to-do lists, and notes of phone conversations. The notebook creates reliability and consistency, and is far superior to the back of an envelope."

This tells the reader what TO do (instead of what NOT) to do, and explains why, in all of 32 words.

I frequently see less useful tips starting with "don't," or "If...then..." or some philosophical statement about something without suggesting a direct action for the reader to take or some absolutely using words like "always", "everyone," "forever," or "most." Worse yet, one of my biggest pet peeves, "You should..." My immediate reaction to "You should..." is "how do you know what I should do??"

Then there's the writer who puts a dozen direct statements into what is intended to be a simple tip. It's like someone barker orders at the reader, without giving any reason of why to do something or how to do it.

Use the simple formula --
"One sentence starting with a positive verb (action word), followed by no more than two sentences explaining "why" or "how."

It really does work.

Until next time,
Paulette - keeping it simple
www.tipsbooklets.com