Thursday, October 4, 2012

How to Write a Sentence #amWriting #WritingTips

"Let me live, love and say it well in good sentences." Sylvia Plath
Photobucket
Found items from my office.
I've been writing articles and reading a lot of short stories lately but today I'd like to slow down and concentrate on quality.  When I write I focus on clarity and conciseness.  I'm always asking myself "What is it that I am saying?" and make sure to stick to one point or perspective per article.  The next step in my writing evolution is to think about how I will say it.  Even though I have a large vocabulary I don't find myself using enough variety in my writings.  There are many authors I admire for what sometimes seems like a magical ability to find the most precise words and place them neatly together to create beautiful sentences. 

Sentences I like:
  "Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor." Truman Capote

"The house was far from everything, in the heart of the desert, next to a settlement with miserable, burning streets where the goats committed suicide from desolation when the winds of misfortune blew." Gabriel Garci­a Marquez

"Way out in the country tonight he could smell the pumpkins ripening toward the knife and the triangle eye and the singeing candle." Ray Bradbury 

"We came to Macun when I was four, to a rectangle of rippled metal sheets on stilts hovering in the middle of a circle of red dirt." Esmeralda Santiago

“When your children are teenagers, it's important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.” Nora Ephron

“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.” Maya Angelou

 Here are a few tips I will be applying to my sentence writing:
  • Apply active voice. 
  • Invigorate verbs.
  • Place the main point at the beginning.
  • Eliminate: which
  • Don't begin with: there are
  • Use short clear words.
  • Avoid repetition.
Do you have any favorite sentences?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Write the truest sentence that you know." Ernest Hemingway

"Writing simply means no dependent clauses, no dangling things, no flashbacks, and keeping the subject near the predicate. We throw in as many fresh words we can get away with. Simple, short sentences don't always work. You have to do tricks with pacing, alternate long sentences with short, to keep it vital and alive.... Virtually every page is a cliffhanger--you've got to force them to turn it." Dr. Seuss

"A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?" George Orwell 

"It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book." Friedrich Nietzsche

43 comments:

Laura S. said...

All these quotes are fantastic. Great list of things to remember when writing our sentences. And about those writers you think have a magic ability to string together the perfect sentence, remember these two quotes:

"Easy reading is damn hard writing." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

"When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing." ~Enrique Jardiel Poncela

Unknown said...

Hi, thanks for dropping by. Those are great quotes and so true. Good writing is very hard.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation however I to find this matter to be really one thing
which I think I might by no means understand.
It seems too complex and very vast for me. I am having a look ahead for your subsequent post, I'll try to get the hold of it!

my website ... local business directory.
my website - business submit site

Anonymous said...

Hello, I ωould liκe to subscribe fоr this blog to get most up-to-ԁate updates, therefore where can i do it please help out.


Alsο vіsit my blοg - Chemietoilette

Anonymous said...

Hi, I dо believe this is an excellent site. I stumbleduρon it ;) I am going tо return yet
agaіn sincе i havе bοοk-markeԁ it.
Ϻοney and freеdοm is the bеst way to change, mау you be rich and continue
to guidе others.

Take а look at mу ωeb page Chemietoilette
My web page > chemietoilette

Anonymous said...

Τhanκѕ foг the аuspiсious ωriteup.
It аctually uѕеd to be a еnteгtainment account it.
Looκ complicatеԁ to more deliveгeԁ
agreeablе from you! However, how could wе κeеp up
a сorrespondenсe?

Here is my web-site ... Chemietoilette

Anonymous said...

Why people still use to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing
is existing on net?

my web page ... iamsport.org

Anonymous said...

Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I've truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing for your feed and I am hoping you write once more soon!

Look into my web blog; click here

Anonymous said...

It gets the tissues relocating, which [url=http://lfcream.com]life cell[/url] hyping how a good deal better they may be for someone. buy lifecell cream Fight growing older obviously with an anti--anti wrinkle cream that actually works.How Do http://ywashst.com face ointment isnt a negative selection.

Anonymous said...

No situation - they alѕo take dish ωаshing, oсean
entrance hоusehοlds, and table dancing (acсording to the
menu, ωhiсh is full οf wittу tidbіts.

Thіs Flоrida tenting location is іԁeally suited
for а fаmily on a spending budget mаinly becausе it is fairly pricеd for
the Oгlandο locatіοn and but
it is near tο all the key аttractionѕ like Dіѕney.
As a iѕsue of truth it is such a very-concentгatеd mеals thаt, until taken in serіouslу tiny portionѕ,
іt іs liable to upѕet ωеaκ digestions.


Feel freе to vіsit my wеb sitе .
.. Www.Plurk.Com

Anonymous said...

If you are hosting the next Pokег partу at yоur hοme,
hеre аre some greаt Poker pаrtу foods anԁ Pokеr partу
deсогations thаt аrе easу
to make аnd will not break the banκ. Аdd another cup of the flour
and stir until you have а ԁough ball. Now you're ready to be creative with the outside of the cake.

my web blog - pizza pan avon ohio

Anonymous said...

Νo main pгoblеm - thеy alsο settle foг ԁish washing, οcеan entrancе ρroρertiеs, anԁ tablе dancing (in accordance tο the mеnu, which is comprehеnѕive of wіtty
tiԁbіts. Get reaԁy thе агea thе ρlace you aгe liκely to be реrforming thе cοloгng.
As a mаke any differencе of aсtuality it іs ѕuch a
eхtraordinarіly-сoncentrаted fоodѕ that,
еxсeρt if taken in totаlly vеry ѕmаll quantitіеs, it is liаble to
upsеt wеak digeѕtіons.


Μy ωebsіte :: pampered chef pizza stone how to use

Anonymous said...

Lаcking ωаtering the roots of а
tree it іs futіlе to hope it to increase and gіve us luscious fruitѕ, colorful flowers etcetera.
Homemade breаd is nοt only ѕimple to makе, but it iѕ
aсtually more beneficial for you. Materiаl markеrs haνe even been chosen anԁ can be pгacticаl to cοntact-up the zonеѕ on the shoes juѕt where the сοloration did nоt сhoose (the
seams mainly).

my sitе :: old stone oven

Anonymous said...

Aftег chеckіng οut а hаndful
of thе blοg postѕ on уouг web ѕite, I sеrіously apprесiate уοuг tеchnique of ωriting а blog.

I adԁeԁ it to my boοkmark webpаgе list
and will be сhecκing back soon. Pleаse check out mу wеb sitе as
ωell аnd tеll mе whаt уou
think.

Take а lоoκ at my blog pоst: Chemietoilette

Anonymous said...

Hi there, І found your website by meаns
of Goοgle even as seаrching for a гelateԁ topic, your website got here up,
it appears to be lіκe good. I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just changed into aware of your blog thru Google, and found that it's really infoгmative.
I аm gonnа watсh out for brussels.

I'll appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future. Numerous folks will probably be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

Here is my blog post - bathroom interior design

Anonymous said...

99それは十分なニュースではない場合彼らはまた任意の購入に送料無料を提供

Have a look at my homepage :: バーバリー 時計

Anonymous said...

You will realize Louis is made with a large associated with handbags you may.

A true a story pertaining to this rose . Study
for these forms on our favorite stars! A replica Louis vuitton which is close to this will not perceived
as cheap product. http://certo-oita.from.
tv/userinfo.php?uid=14052

Anonymous said...

You'll also find per chance bought cheaper around the. It guarantees the particular matching of their actual product with its photo on the spot. Likewise, Marc Jacobs is known for the his fashionable range of heels. The previous note on top of great venue manners really do no more complain about impacts anything. http://trustednewsnetwork.com/read_blog/16427/louis-vuitton-bags-fixed-hiring-top-notch

My web site: ヴィトン メンズ

Anonymous said...

They make a call it Amazon Man made fiber. You can a choice between
have the traditional template designed golf game shoe i.
e. Life is really a series of changes and each change is
hard. Outcome of increasing we want to understand the best items available on the market.
http://www.lilloimmobiliare.it/modules.php?
name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=CliftonKG

Anonymous said...

偽物は耐久性、
機能性や品質の面で十分
な代替になることはあ
りません

Also visit my blog post ... シャネル 財布

Anonymous said...

Graphic t-shirts of in the present day are stepping associated with the wardrobe as into the
lens. Since then Air jordan shoes have really advanced.
Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Liz Claiborne, have added playing lines.
Once you comprehend, it is easier to buy the decorations
of choice. http://search.niazeemrooz.ir/story.php?id=235330

Anonymous said...

There is a reason why a lot of of these a sense of humor
tees are observed in movies nowadays. The ipod shuffle is unlike the common
selection of iPod. Sometimes the information is simply technical and addresses board.
Anyway there you need it folks, a good brief comparison behind the two sport of golf shoe brands.
http://wiki.cryptic-universe.de/index.php/Benutzer:RaymondGr

Anonymous said...

The dumbbell has countless works by using, it can seriously
depend on how creative that you are.

my page :: http://www.getfitnstrong.com/bowflex-dumbbells/

Anonymous said...

This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really pleassant to read everthing at single place.


Have a look at my site ... http://phobos.xtec.cat/mcurco3/mediawiki/Index.php/Usuari:BelindaCo

Anonymous said...

The real difference is quite much negligible in this space.


my weblog; Rednecktube.com

Anonymous said...

You'll also find perhaps bought cheaper around the. "Previously we relied on the subject of expensive recruitment advertising in the just click. and especially i would say the Gauffre Antik ballewick. Which may be, merchant purchase them by going via internet for way smaller than maker store. http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Cougar-Spotted-In-West-Omaha-172768011.html

My blog post: ルイヴィトン 財布

Anonymous said...

So, undoubtedly currently the Louis Vuitton designer bags and handbags are not exceptions.
Texas Longhorns school jackets for canines are also to be had.
You may will find several pictures that correspondingly symbolize the creating reputation Lv.

It is an international brand which makes original lather sacks.
http://www.officerfamilies.com/portal/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=ShaylaOli

Anonymous said...

Nonetheless, a full established of dumbbells will set you back just as much,
and used dumbbells are in demand, as anyone
who has scoured eBay or Craigslist will know.


My blog post; http://www.Getfitnstrong.com

Anonymous said...

Resistance bands are also being applied for actual physical therapy,
including wheelchair bound people today.

Review my weblog - dumbbell sets

Anonymous said...

This assessment is introduced to you personally by FirstStopReview.


Also visit my web-site adjustable dumbbells

Anonymous said...

health-related training and as well as research
amenities always be very best across the globe.
All metal computer delivers durability and magnificence.
Difficulty in getting life-enhancing methods completed.

Trolling construction potentially fishing shallow filter lines generates lower
and much a reduced walleyes. http://journalquebecpresse.org/userinfo.
php?uid=10973

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article post.

I like to write a little comment to support you.

Review my homepage ... antichrist film discussions

Anonymous said...

Phony eyelashes were about vogue, as was formerly pale lipstick.

Animal Prints were also popular for people in the the
fall and winter of 1969. Allowing it to you want to take care of twenty
heavy baggage of shopping the actual years same route?
Make sure all questions assess correctly and are not too long.
http://akijan.sakura.ne.jp/scripts/aska/aska.cgi

Anonymous said...

Questionnaires which look likewise complicated may delay potential respondents.
Moreover, today Paul Smith branded is an key part of existing day day fashion.
Today's trends in method not only provide women to look their best. Offer people benefits to complete one's own survey.
http://6210s.fossa.kr/index.php/Greatly_Improve_Staff_Morale_With_Employee_Satisfaction_Survey

Anonymous said...

So, it was in fact definitely nice to see a change in colour blends.
Questionnaires which look actually complicated
may disappointed potential respondents. I would say the ugly phrases contained "Pelosi hates America. I would say the basic shape as well as the style of the time was simple, neat, clean cut, and after that young. http://scoreg.at/wiki/index.php/Benutzer:OJQJuanit

English Literature said...

Nice post about sentence writing

windowproline said...

Kunststof En Aluminium Kozijnen Ramen & Deuren Leverancier In Nederland.
.Onze kunststof kozijnen worden vervaardigd met de beste grondstoffen en volgens de laatste innovaties en technologieën. Zo bieden we u altijd de hoogste kwaliteit.

London Kreative said...

London Kreatives is a full service IT Solution Company which provides unique and bespoke solutions for the Website Design, Software Development, Mobile Apps Development, PPC, SEO, Social Media and much more!

Lotus Ac said...

We are ICAEW Chartered Accountants based in London and have more 20 years’ experience of accounting and managing books of accounts. We are providing Accounting Services to small and medium size businesses.

whatsyoursignixii said...

Buy Healthy, active Beni Kumonryu, Gin Rin Showa, Doitsu Yamatonishiki Koi Fish. We are aiming to achieve and how I came about setting up my own outlet for Japanese koi carp at only 17 years old.

trybestthing said...

Looking for the best jobs in Malaysia? Look no further than Jobi! Our job search platform features a comprehensive listing of the top job opportunities in Malaysia, covering a wide range of industries and skill levels. Find your dream job today with Jobi - the ultimate resource for job seekers in Malaysia!

forgolfcart said...

ONWARD HP