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Let’s look at me as an example. I didn’t get straight A’s, but I did learn. I learned even more as an adult, later on. Yes, I graduated from HS back in
1950’s, 50 years ago, in fact. Then word processing came along and I became a typist for a living – I typed 100 words per minute (that’s a story in itself, but not for here). But with word processing basic styles of writing changed as well. Our standards in 1970’s were NY Times Manual of Style and US Government Printing Office’s Style Manual (adopted from NY Times manual). I got pretty good.
Then electronic publishing and computer came along and style changed again. We no longer ended sentences with two spaces; now we use only one. And we no longer ended paragraphs with two carriage returns; now we use only one.
Much to my surprise there is a new change now out. We’re now in 21st century and new standard seems to have replaced “setting off special text” passages in quotes to setting off special text passages in italics! Quotes are out and italics are in!
Did this make it easier? Hah! Not on your life. You’ve still gotta be able to use quotes correctly. As an example, I quote from Saturday Evening Post “Franklin P. Jones, said ‘The moon is really made of yellow cheese’ in July 1968 edition.”
Then there’s topic of spelling. If you cannot spell correctly do not count on your spell checker to make corrections for you. Corel Word Perfect spell-checker will not pick up a nu8mber in a word – nor will MS Word spell checker pick up that error. So your proofing had better be very good just to catch misspellings and typos. Every word needs to be checked carefully.
Finally, for this segment of writing effectively, when and where to use colloquialisms, slang and contractions in my writing?
In case of contractions, personally I try not to use ain’t at any time because I knew an old engineer once (with a Masters in Music and a PhD in Electronic Engineering) who used ain’t all time for emphasis on what not to say. It seemed every other word out of his mouth was ain’t. I got message – I don’t use ain’t! But rest are fair game – provided they are used appropriately and correctly?
As for slang and colloquialisms, look back at this article and you will see them interspersed here and there. Effectively? Well, if you are with me this far, understanding what I am writing about, I must have been doing something right.
Your test, should you wish to take it, is to go through all articles on my web site here, and check them for grammatical and punctuation errors.
And grading on your test is simple. Keeping in mind grammar, punctuation and spelling/typos: 1. If you don’t find any or not very many errors in grammar or punctuation you need to find a business which does not involve effective writing. 2. If you do find several errors, say an average of 1 or 2 for every article published on my web site, they there is hope for you. You may be able to learn to write effectively? 3. If you find articles which are fraught with error, articles which should never have been released for publication, an average of three or more errors per article published on my web site, and errors in my own articles, then you truly do have basics for a career in writing effectively. 4. There is one author who has not only given permission to use his articles on other people’s web sites but has also given permission to make corrections to his typographical errors. Find it and, if your first result puts in into #3 category above, you are definitely a writing effectively expert!
Now all that remains is to polish it and go to work.
Good luck.
Loring Windblad has operated his own HBBs for nearly 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. Loring has written grants, business plans and resumes that got the job done right. His latest HBB endeavor is http://www.organicgreens.us
