Whether you’re telling a story or discussing the results of your research, the written word is a powerful and flexible communicative tool. Wield your rhetorical devices well, and you’ll be able to manipulate your readers’ emotions or have them questioning assumptions they didn’t even know they had.
As a linguist, I tend to view “rules” more flexibly than others, but certain techniques and guidelines are frequently cited because they have proven to make writing, creative or otherwise, more effective. The topics covered in my articles on writing have been culled from the timeless advice of experts (e.g., Campbell, Strunk, and Zinsser) as well as my experience supporting novice and seasoned writers. Don’t forget to check out my site bibliography for the invaluable resources that continue to influence my work as an editor and my craft as a writer.
How’s that New Year’s writing resolution going?
Why You Should RUE: Resist the Urge to Explain
Character Voice & Individuality: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry
Show, Don’t Tell: Anger, Nervousness, Fear (Example)
Narrator: Pigeon English (A Case Study)
On I, Part 2: Alternatives to the First Person in Academic Writing
Me, Myself, &… The Researcher? The First Person in Academic Writing