http://mas790.media.mit.edu/taxonomy/term/19/0 en http://mas790.media.mit.edu/resource/26 <p>Here are some books I'd recommend for writing instruction/advice:</p> <p>The Synonym Finder -- kicks Roget's ass all over the map<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Synonym-Finder-J-I-Rodale/dp/B000LP66TS" title="http://www.amazon.com/Synonym-Finder-J-I-Rodale/dp/B000LP66TS">http://www.amazon.com/Synonym-Finder-J-I-Rodale/dp/B000LP66TS</a></p> <p>Writing Down the Bones - Natalie Goldberg -- it's a bit New Agey, but I adored it enough to name<br /> my main character after Ms. Goldberg<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Writer/dp/0877733759" title="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Writer/dp/0877733759">http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Writer/dp/0877733759</a></p> <p>Bird by Bird -- Ann Lamott --good life advice, funny stories and some writing advice as well<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016" title="http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016">http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016</a></p> <p>On Writing Well - William K. Zinsser good non-fiction writing instruction<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Nonfiction/dp/0060891548/ref=pd_sim_b_5" title="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Nonfiction/dp/0060891548/ref=pd_sim_b_5">http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Nonfiction/dp/006089...</a></p> <p>On Writing Well -Strunk and White a classic and hella concise<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/020530902X/ref=pd_sim_b_12" title="http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/020530902X/ref=pd_sim_b_12">http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/020530902X...</a></p> <p>The Chicago Manual of Style another classic reference work<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Manual-Style-University-Press/dp/0226104036/ref=pd_sim_b_4" title="http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Manual-Style-University-Press/dp/0226104036/ref=pd_sim_b_4">http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Manual-Style-University-Press/dp/022610403...</a></p> <p>Some basic tips:<br /> *Read your work aloud (you find errors, unintentional rhymes, bad phrases much easier this way--also, if it's difficult to read aloud<br /> it's probably hard for the readers to follow).</p> <p>*Find a critique group (Any group of people willing to review your work whom you might also review can be invaluable. Not only<br /> does having multiple pairs of eyes on your work help, but editing others' work can often help you rethink your own. I often<br /> identify mistakes in my own work by first spotting it in others' works.)</p> <p>*Let things sit, then review them. (This isn't always an option, but I've discovered I'm much more able to edit pieces that I have<br /> not worked on or looked at recently. Fresh eyes are everything.)</p> <p>*Try the condensation approach to your writing. Use condensation notes on your own paper, breaking it down by paragraph or section. (Do you spot any gaps or leaps in logic that elude the reader? Fill 'em in.)</p> <p>*If starting at the beginning is too hard, start at the end. (Start with your conclusion and work backwards. No one says you can't.)</p> tips writing manuals Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:27:27 +0000 Stephanie 26 at http://mas790.media.mit.edu