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100 Ways to Improve Your Writing (Updated): Proven Professional Techniques for Writing with Style and Power Mass Market Paperback – May 28, 2019
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This is the one guide that anyone who writes—whether student, businessperson, or professional writer—should keep on his or her desk. Filled with professional tips and a wealth of instructive examples, 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing can help solve any writing problem.
In this compact, easy-to-use volume you'll find the eternal building blocks of good writing—from grammar and punctuation to topic sentences—as well as advice on challenges such as writer's block and creating a strong title. It is a must-have resource—perfect for reading cover to cover, or just for keeping on hand for instant reference—now updated and refreshed for the first time.
- Print length176 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBerkley
- Publication dateMay 28, 2019
- Dimensions4.19 x 0.46 x 6.75 inches
- ISBN-101984803689
- ISBN-13978-1984803689
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CHAPTER 5. TEN WAYS TO DEVELOP STYLE
Think About Style
In any discussion of writing, the word style means the way in which an idea is expressed, not the idea itself. Style is form, not content. A reader usually picks up a story because of content but too often puts it down because of style.
There is no subject that cannot be made fascinating by a well-informed and competent writer. And there is no subject that cannot be quickly turned into a literary sleeping pill by an incompetent writer.
You probably would not buy Ray Bradbury's book Dandelion Wine if while browsing in the bookstore you turned to version (A). Contrast it with version (B), Bradbury's actual opening paragraph. You will see that while both paragraphs contain the same information, version (B) has style, and that makes all the difference.
(A) There wasn't any noise at 6 a.m. and nobody was up yet. The wind was about the way you'd want it, and everything was pretty much okay. If you got up and looked out the window, you could tell that summer was beginning.
(B) It was a quiet morning, the town covered over with darkness and at ease in bed. Summer gathered in the weather, the wind had the proper touch, the breathing of the world was long and warm and slow. You had only to rise, lean from your window, and know that this indeed was the first real time of freedom and living, this was the first morning of summer.
Listen to What You Write
Writing is not a visual art any more than composing is a visual art.
To write is to create music The words you write make sounds, and when those sounds are in harmony, the writing will work.
So think of your writing as music. Your story might sound like the Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, or it might sound like "Satisfaction." You decide. But give it unity. It should not sound like a musical battle between the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and the Rolling Stones.
Read aloud what you write and listen to its music. Listen for dissonance. Listen for the beat. Listen for gaps where the music leaps from sound to sound instead of flowing as it should. Listen for sour notes. Is this word a little sharp, is that one a bit flat? Listen for intruments that don't blend well. Is there an electric guitar shrieking amid the whispers of flutes and violins? Imagine the sound of each word as an object falling onto the eardrum. Does it make a soft landing like the word ripple, or does it land hard and dig in like inexorable? Does it cut off all sound for an instant, like brutal, or does it massage the reader's ear, like melodious?
There are no good sounds or bad sounds, just as there are no good notes or bad notes in music. It is the way in which you combine them that can make the writing succeed or fail. It's the music that matters
Mimic Spoken Language
Writing should be conversational. That does not mean that your writing should be an exact duplicate of human speech; it should not. Your writing should convey to the reader a sense of conversation. It should furnish the immediacy and warmth of a personal conversation.
Most real conversations, if committed to paper, would dull the senses. Conversations stumble; they stray; they repeat; they are bloated with, you know, like, meaningless words; and they are often cut short by intrusions. But what they have going for them is human contact, the sound of a human voice.
And if you put that quality into your writing, you will get the reader's attention.
So mimic spoken language in the variety of its music, in the simplicitity of its words, in the directness of its expression. But do not forfeit the enormous advantages of the written word. Writing provides time for contemplation. Use it well. In conversation the perfect word is not always there. In writing we can try out fifteen different words before we are satisfied. In conversation we spread our thoughts thin. In writing we can compress.
So strive to make your writing like conversation, but don't make it an ordinary conversation. Make it a good one.
Vary Sentence Length
This sentence has five words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become montonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It's like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen: I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. I also use sentences of medium length. And sometimes when I am certain the reader is well rested, I will engage him with a setence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals--sounds that say listen to this, it is important.
So write with a combination of short, medium, and long sentences. Create a sound that pleases the reader's ear. Don't just write words. Write music. . .
Product details
- Publisher : Berkley; Updated edition (May 28, 2019)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 176 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1984803689
- ISBN-13 : 978-1984803689
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 4.19 x 0.46 x 6.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #78,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #70 in Rhetoric (Books)
- #119 in Words, Language & Grammar Reference
- #280 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Because of his entertaining style, the late Gary Provost was one of the nations leading and most beloved writing instructors. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and celebrity biographer, Provost the writers writer authored thousands of articles and columns, and dozens of books covering most every genre. His highly acclaimed Writers Retreat Workshop, and video and audio courses remain available through writersretreatworkshop.com.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and useful for writing tips. They appreciate the clear instructions and advice on improving writing. The book distills years of writing experience into a few simple, practical suggestions.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to read and useful for quick reviews. They say it covers the basics and is a good choice for anyone looking for an exercise book. The chapters are short enough that they can read them quickly.
"This is a fantastic little book, and it is full of smart and easy ideas for becoming a better writer...." Read more
"This is a classic little book with lots of practical tips for improving your writing -- from tips on getting started and overcoming writer's block,..." Read more
"This book really good and I can see a lot of writers/journalists using it to improve there writing...." Read more
"...and you’re looking for a book that covers the basics, this is a good choice...." Read more
Customers find the book's writing tips helpful and easy to understand. They say it distills years of writing advice into a few simple techniques. The topics are well-organized, and the language is clear and easy to grasp. Readers mention it helps reluctant writers get started writing.
"...a fantastic little book, and it is full of smart and easy ideas for becoming a better writer...." Read more
"This is a classic little book with lots of practical tips for improving your writing -- from tips on getting started and overcoming writer's block,..." Read more
"...Mr Provost filled the book with examples that are easy to understand and he had styled the book in a reader friendly and comprehensive format...." Read more
"Great writing resource." Read more
Customers find the book provides useful suggestions and tips on improving writing. They say it's a great reference with enough information to be effective. The advice is described as enlightening and practical.
"This is a fantastic little book, and it is full of smart and easy ideas for becoming a better writer...." Read more
"...This but gave a some helpful tips that I can use but I think writer and journalist would really love this book more." Read more
"...Although most of the information in this book is pretty basic, veterans could benefit from reviewing some of the material, such as common errors to..." Read more
"...It's well organized and contains bits of info for those on the run. An excellent reference or something to read all the way through...." Read more
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Great book for Writer and Journalist
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013This is a fantastic little book, and it is full of smart and easy ideas for becoming a better writer. None of these tasks involve anything more than a little time reading and regular daily activities in order to strengthen and improve a persons writing. There are no intense drills, and nothing that feels like homework. This book can make a person a better writer from the first few pages, and I highly recommend it to anyone who writes.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2020This is a classic little book with lots of practical tips for improving your writing -- from tips on getting started and overcoming writer's block, to structure and grammar. One of my favorite parts of the book is the section: "Twelve Ways to Avoid Making Your Reader Hate You." Recommended for anyone who wants to be a better writer.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2020This book really good and I can see a lot of writers/journalists using it to improve there writing. I am more looking for a book that can help me with writing on a everyday basis and professionally. This but gave a some helpful tips that I can use but I think writer and journalist would really love this book more.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Writer and JournalistThis book really good and I can see a lot of writers/journalists using it to improve there writing. I am more looking for a book that can help me with writing on a everyday basis and professionally. This but gave a some helpful tips that I can use but I think writer and journalist would really love this book more.
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2020
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2008If you find that my review is poorly written, put the blame on me and not Mr Provost and you could see the reasons why I have read this book.
Mr Provost filled the book with examples that are easy to understand and he had styled the book in a reader friendly and comprehensive format.
You could read the book from page 1 to the end and undergo the systematic built up to better writing or you could easily refer to the relevant sections without feeling lost.
The only shortcoming of this book it that it is concise and could not provide more in depth explanation on some terms like "normative" and "objective" use of noun. However, Mr Provost has done a wonderful job of balancing the need of the general public to be a good writer against that of a linguist.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2023Great writing resource.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019I bought this book because writing instructor extraordinaire Margie Lawson recommended it.
My edition was printed in 1985, and the book examples used in 100 Ways are old. (Fortunately, so am I, and I remember the buzz those books earned at the time.) It was also in the baby days of personal computers, when very few writers owned one, and most everyone wrote their rough drafts by hand and their better drafts on a typewriter.
Gary Provost wrote articles for Writers Digest and 22 books, fiction and nonfiction. He passed away in 1995.
100 Ways is divided into nine chapters which are further divided into 5 to 12 short topics. For example, Chapter 7, “11 Ways to Make People Like What You Write,” is broken into these topics:
1. Make Yourself Likeable
2. Write About People
3. Show Your Opinion
4. Obey Your Own Rules
5. Use Anecdotes
6. Use Examples
7. Name Your Sources
8. Provide Useful Information
9. Use Quotations
10. Use Quotes
11. Create a Strong Title
The entire book is 158 pages long.
Although most of the information in this book is pretty basic, veterans could benefit from reviewing some of the material, such as common errors to avoid, cutting unnecessary words, and a self-editing checklist. Or how about this advice:
“How do you know when you have finished? Look at the last sentence and ask yourself, ‘What does the reader lose if you cross it out?’ If the answer is ‘nothing’ or ‘I don’t know,’ then cross it out. Do the same thing with the next to last sentence, and so forth. When you get to the sentence you must have, read it out loud. Is it a good closing sentence? Does it sound final? Is it pleasant to the ear? Does it leave the reader in the mood you intended? If so, you are done. If not, rewrite it so that it does. Then stop writing.”
If you’re a beginning writer and you’re looking for a book that covers the basics, this is a good choice. I have over 40 books on writing, and 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing does not spark joy for me. I would give it to you, but my dog chewed the corners. (He liked it just fine.)
- Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 20128 years after ordering this thing, and I still carry it in my laptop bag. I've read it through maybe 100 times over the years.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said about this book, just get it! It's well organized and contains bits of info for those on the run. An excellent reference or something to read all the way through.
Should be a part of every writer's library.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2021I felt like Gary Provost was telling me jn a friendly way encouraging advice on how to improve my writings. Great book, especially for people for whom English is their second language!
Top reviews from other countries
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MiReviewed in Brazil on March 27, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente!
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Comprei na promoção por menos de 20 reais e foi uma surpresa extremamente agradável.
- AdedapoReviewed in Canada on March 9, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
No matter the influence of Ai and it’s benefits. Learning the rules of copywriting is always a plus
-
jaime YahirReviewed in Mexico on February 26, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Gran ayuda
El libro viene bastante completo y el tamaño ayuda a transportarlo con facilidad, por lo que puedes leerlo en cualquier lugar sin que ocupe mucho espacio en tu bolso o mochila.
Lo único que si no me agrada mucho es que las páginas sean grises, en lo personal siento que las letras se pierden en el fondo, pero aún así no es tan grave, solo es que te acostumbres
- VamsiReviewed in India on October 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
One of the best I’ve read. Highly recommend reading this if you are into writing.
I’m sure you will enjoy this.
- Walter MeloniReviewed in Italy on February 17, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A lil Lyle treasure
Engaging and pocket made! A gift