Better writing right now!: using words to your advantage

239 Pages·2001·0.36 MB·English

by  Francine Galko

B E T T E R
WRITING
RIGHT NOW!
Using Words
to Your Advantage
Francine D. Galko
N E W Y O R K
Copyright © 2001 LearningExpress,LLC.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
Published in the United States by LearningExpress,LLC,New York.
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Galko,Francine.
Better writing right now :using words to your advantage / by Francine Galko.—1st ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-57685-402-7
1.English language—Rhetoric. 2.Report writing. 3.Business writing. I.Title.
PE1408 .G25 2002
808'.042—dc21 2001050784
ISBN 1-57685-402-7
Printed in the United States ofAmerica
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First Edition
For more information or to place an order,contact LearningExpress at:
900 Broadway
Suite 604
New York,NY 10003
Or visit us at:
www.learnatest.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Francine D.Galko is currently a freelance writer,editor,and project manager.She has edited pre-GED and
GED math preparation work texts,and has also written a basic math and algebra study guide with practice
materials and interactive CD-ROMs.In addition,Ms.Galko has written and edited other science,language
arts,ESL,EFL,and instructional materials.She currently resides in Dallas,Texas.

Contents
Introduction ix
Section 1: Deciding What to Say—Preparing to Write 1
Lesson 1: Getting Started 3
Lesson 2: Choosing Your Own Topic 11
Lesson 3: Using Prewriting Strategies 19
Lesson 4: Organizing Your Ideas and Outlining Your Paper 33
Section 2: Start Writing!—The Drafting Process 45
Lesson 5: Starting to Draft Your Paper/Drafting Your Paper 47
Lesson 6: Convincing Your Reader 55
Lesson 7: Beginning and Ending Your Paper 63
Section 3: Evaluating What You’ve Written—Revising and Editing 69
Lesson 8: Revising Your Paper 71
Lesson 9: Checking the Focus and Organization ofYour Paper 77
Lesson 10: Editing Your Paper 85
Lesson 11: Being Clear and Concise 101
Lesson 12: Writing with Style 109
Section 4: Special Writing Situations 115
Lesson 13: Essay Exams 117
Lesson 14: Research Papers 123
Section 5: Writing for the Workplace 135
Lesson 15: Business Writing 137
Lesson 16: Resumes and Cover Letters 139
Lesson 17: Writing Business Letters 157
Lesson 18: Writing Memos and Emails 167
Lesson 19: Writing Reports 177
Appendix: Model Essays and Workplace Writing 183
Answers 215
BETTER WRITING RIGHT NOW! v

Introduction
Let’s say you’re at the bookstore and you’re trying to
decide whether or not to buy this book. You wonder:
Will it really help me write better? Is it any different from
the other books on the shelf? How can this book
improve my writing? If these are some of the ques-
tions you have, then read on—you’ll find the answers
B
B
here!
etter Writing Right Now is a step-by-step guide to writing.It takes you from the blank page and
walks you through the steps of the writing process so that you can conquer any school writing
assignment—including timed essay exams and research papers.It also provides tips and formats you can use
for writing resumes,cover letters,general business letters,memos,e-mails,and reports for work.Along the
way,you’ll learn basic writing skills,and you’ll gain the confidence you need to succeed in any situation that
requires you to write.
This book gives you more than the information you need to become a better writer.It also gives you
example after example of strategies that work and provides opportunities to practice those strategies.Take
advantage ofeach practice,because here you can safely experiment with techniques and develop expert skills
before you have to use them for class,work,or correspondence.Your work in this book can be for your eyes
only—so stretch your fingers,stretch your imagination,and don’t be afraid to see your writing take shape.
(cid:2) IS THIS BOOK FOR YOU?
This book was written to help anyone who wants to work on writing skills.Ifyou know very little about writ-
ing or you’re just not confident when you get a writing assignment at school,this book is the first step to
good writing.Ifyou already have a good command ofthe language,but need some reference points for your
writing,or ifyou’re just interested in fine-tuning your writing skills,this book acts as a comprehensive guide
for writers.So ifyou are ready to improve your writing skills—this book is for you!
INTRODUCTION (cid:2) BETTER WRITING RIGHT NOW! vii
(cid:2) HOW THIS BOOK
IS ORGANIZED
This book is organized into short lessons.Each ofthe first twelve lessons focuses on one step in the writing
process.You begin by learning how to read and understand a writing assignment and then how to develop a
topic.The first lessons take you step-by-step through the process ofcompleting any writing assignment.Con-
cluding lessons in this book teach you how to deal with special writing situations—such as timed essay exams,
research papers,resumes,cover letters,and other business correspondence.
Each lesson gives you step-by-step information for tackling every kind ofwriting problem—from writer’s
block to basic writing mechanics.You’ll also find annotated examples ofgood and poor writing samples and
ways you can tell them apart.Then,you’re given a chance to practice what you’ve learned.Answers to the
practice sets are provided at the back ofthe book,so you can check your work as you go along.
As you work through this book,you’ll notice that the lessons are sprinkled with all kinds ofhelpful tips
and icons.Look for these icons and the tips they provide.
RITINGTIP
W
Writing Tip When you see this icon,you know that practical writing information follows.
Many ofthe writing tips include additional strategies or well-organized reference informa-
tion that you can return to time and time again.
A KINGTIP
T
ST I
E Test Taking Tip This icon gives you tips for taking writing tests.Look for these ifyou are
T
preparing for an essay test or a test that involves open-ended or free-response questions.
A B OUTIT
K
N
HI
T
Think About It Extra information and more in-depth discussions are marked with this
icon.
(cid:2) HOW IS THIS BOOK
DIFFERENT FROM OTHER WRITING BOOKS?
Take a minute to flip through the pages of this book.Then,flip through the pages of another writing book
you are considering.See something different?
First off,this book shows you how to conquer writer’s block.It provides numerous approaches to writ-
ing that you won’t find in other books.There’s a whole lesson on using graphic organizers—not just charts
and tables—to organize your ideas.Ifyou are comfortable with conventional approaches to writing,they’re
here,too.And this book can be a resource for you long after you’ve become a confident and proficient writer!
viii BETTER WRITING RIGHT NOW! (cid:2) INTRODUCTION
Better Writing Right Now!is a hands-on guide to writing.Unlike many ofthe other writing books out
there,this one involves you.It walks you through any writing assignment you might have—from writing an
essay for class to writing a memo for your boss.
Moreover,this book doesn’t just tellyou how to write better.It showsyou how to write better.You’ll find
page after page ofexamples ofstrategies that work.They’re not just described—you actually see them in action.
You’ll also find examples ofreal writing with callouts that show you the strategies and steps behind the fin-
ished product—this way you can see the writing process at work.
Writing is a lifelong skill that you will use in school,at work,and in your personal life.With this book,
you’ll become a more proficient and confident writer.So,go ahead,write better right now!
INTRODUCTION (cid:2) BETTER WRITING RIGHT NOW! ix