How to write well?
Anyone can write. It is not about language or expression, but about thoughts!
Practical tips for writing & some tools/resources
Useful for essays, articles, answer writing and moreπ§΅
Retweet for wider reach
Anyone can write. It is not about language or expression, but about thoughts!
Practical tips for writing & some tools/resources
Useful for essays, articles, answer writing and moreπ§΅
Retweet for wider reach
Elements of a good writeup:
1. Hook- Opening
2. Thesis statement/ paragraph
3. Connection between paras
4. Rebuttal paragraph
5. Conclusion
Details on each of them below ππ
1. Hook- Opening
2. Thesis statement/ paragraph
3. Connection between paras
4. Rebuttal paragraph
5. Conclusion
Details on each of them below ππ
Hook:
Why should someone be interested in what you are writing? Set the scene & grab attention.
- Story/anecdote
- Catchy phrase
- Cite a shocking fact
- Witty statement
- Personal experience
Or it can simply answer the question - "I am writing this piece because.."
Why should someone be interested in what you are writing? Set the scene & grab attention.
- Story/anecdote
- Catchy phrase
- Cite a shocking fact
- Witty statement
- Personal experience
Or it can simply answer the question - "I am writing this piece because.."
Thesis statement:
Mostly the 2nd para. It should contain your argument. A brief summary of your main point. Especially important for exam essays. Most easy to understand Op-Eds will contain this.
Very important. I have not used in my Op-Eds, but always in UPSC essay
Mostly the 2nd para. It should contain your argument. A brief summary of your main point. Especially important for exam essays. Most easy to understand Op-Eds will contain this.
Very important. I have not used in my Op-Eds, but always in UPSC essay
Connection between paras:
The last line of preceding para should link with the opening line of the next para. It ensures continuity and ease of readability.
This can be avoided if the piece is in point wise form with completely distinct points
The last line of preceding para should link with the opening line of the next para. It ensures continuity and ease of readability.
This can be avoided if the piece is in point wise form with completely distinct points
Rebuttal para:
Addressing the
- Contrary opinion
- Conditions when your argument may not hold
- Warnings
Put it in the second last para. Makes the writing real, humble and more relatable
Addressing the
- Contrary opinion
- Conditions when your argument may not hold
- Warnings
Put it in the second last para. Makes the writing real, humble and more relatable
Conclusion:
Reiterating statement. Make it powerful.
- Tie up loose strings to complete analysis
- Futuristic vision
- Generalizing to something more than the current topic
- Reiterating your thesis statement - ending with a quote
Reiterating statement. Make it powerful.
- Tie up loose strings to complete analysis
- Futuristic vision
- Generalizing to something more than the current topic
- Reiterating your thesis statement - ending with a quote
Remember to:
- Use simple language
- Avoid too many adjectives, adverbs
- Use active voice
- Be coherent
- Use simple language
- Avoid too many adjectives, adverbs
- Use active voice
- Be coherent
Some online tools:
- Hemingway - Check readability -> Target a score below 10 for OpEd
- Grammarly - grammar, clarity, engagement
- Quillbot - to paraphrase a sentence
- CoSchedule - write better headlines
- AnswerthePublic - Generate Ideas
- Hemingway - Check readability -> Target a score below 10 for OpEd
- Grammarly - grammar, clarity, engagement
- Quillbot - to paraphrase a sentence
- CoSchedule - write better headlines
- AnswerthePublic - Generate Ideas
Books:
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
-Story by Robert McKee (must for screenplay for movies/series)
Have not read the last two yet but on my wishlist!
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
-Story by Robert McKee (must for screenplay for movies/series)
Have not read the last two yet but on my wishlist!
Most important point - Recognize your audience and respect them.
Tailor your writing for them.
Hope you found this useful.
Follow @divyamittal_IAS for more
Tailor your writing for them.
Hope you found this useful.
Follow @divyamittal_IAS for more
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