Introduction

I will post three writing tips at a time and will rotate the dozen or more that I have already developed for this purpose.  I am open to developing more tips as topics that you may suggest lend themselves to this.

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Writing Tips:  February, 2012

How to Find a Dictionary Word in Ten Seconds
or Less 

This tip applies not only to using a dictionary but also to finding information in any alphabetically arranged listing whose author/publisher also provides guide words--the words at the top of the page that inform you of the first--and usually last--word on that page.

There are three secrets to finding a target word in ten seconds or less.  The first is to open your dictionary correctly.  You never open it at random, nor do you just use the thumb index as a matter of course.  First, you guesstimate the approximate thickness of the book (or proportion of space between thumb index spots) that you must bypass in order to bring you most nearly to your target word--of course, this guesstimate will be the closer the more familiar you are with your dictionary and/or the more thumb-worn its pages are.

The second secret is to train yourself to look only at guide words--never at an inside word--until you have found exactly the page your target word is on.

The third secret is to keep guesstimating the thickness of the number of pages you must now skip--in whichever direction--to most quickly reach your target word.

If your target word were "brash," you would pick a spot somewhere between the thumb indexes "A/B" and "C/D."  In my Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, I have arrived at the top left-handmost word "churlish."  I jump back a bunch of pages (maybe 60) and come to the guide word "bronze"--the top, left-handmost guide word as before.   Going back some more, I come to "boom"--I have gone too far.  Now, because I am so close, I skip much fewer pages at a time and go forward.  Going ahead approximately four pages, I come to "brazilwood."  Going back one page, I find myself on just the right page.  The guide words tell me that "brash" must be on the right-hand page.  Running my eye to the half-way point of the left column, I chance to read "brash" as the first word that I set my eyes on.  I chose that point because the guide words were "branchiopod" and "Brazil nut"; my reasoning was that it must be in the first column but part-way down.  (This word has six meanings in my dictionary; you would have to judge for yourself whether it is the right word for your use [or which of its meanings fits the context in which you found it].)

Commentary

You may think that this is too much effort.  I would argue that if you knew that it would only take a sprinkling of seconds to find a word, you would use your dictionary a great deal more frequently--to your profit.

Copyright ©  Anthony D. Hunter 2002

How to Use the Verbs to Lie and to Lay Correctly

     The verb to lie--in the sense that is confused with the verb to lay--means to recline, to stay at rest in a horizontal position.  The principal parts for this verb to lie are: lie, lying, lay, and lain.  Here are examples of correct use:

present tense:  I sometimes lie in the sun too long.

past tense:  I lay down after lunch yesterday for a brief nap.

present perfect tense:  I have often lain down for a quick nap.

past perfect tense:  I had just lain down when the phone rang.

present progressive tense:  The sunbathers are lying on the sand.

     In contrast, the verb to lay means to put (something) (down).  Its principal parts are lay, laying, laid, and laid.  Here are examples of correct use:

present tense:  I always lay my pen nearby.

past tense:  I laid my pen down a minute ago.

present perfect tense:  My father has laid down the law.

past perfect tense:  I had first laid my pen down.

present progressive tense:  My father is always laying down the law.

Commentary

        Though a growing number of people misuse the verb to lay as if it were the verb to lie, the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, comments that some people will "judge you unfavorably if you do [this]."

Copyright ©  Anthony D. Hunter 2002

The Advantages of an Outline as a Prewriting Strategy

The reason why many people are turned off by the very thought of an outline is that they feel that such an outline must be a formal one--that is, one whose every entry starts with a letter (large or small) or a number (Arabic or Roman) and/or one whose every entry must be written out in sentence form.

I like to point out that the kind of outline that helps writing--at least in its initial stages--can be much simpler.  You use no labels whatever.  Instead, you can use levels of indentation to indicate degrees of importance.  This kind of outline can have entries that contain but a word or a phrase.  In addition, such an outline requires no formal numbering or lettering.

This kind of an outline has many advantages:

A.  As you begin your list, you start the thinking/planning process in a painless way (without need for careful writing or sorting);

B.  This brainstorming process helps you "invent" material that may become what you write about (it should help overcome writer's block, too);

C.  You can now decide whether you know enough about this topic for the purpose at hand;

D.  You can weigh whether your title is suitable or whether it needs rewording;

E.   You can easily delete unsuitable material or add new material;

F.   You can now sort your list into groups and subgroups and so label them (say, with sets of letters and/or numbers);

G.  Now you can even specify the order in which you want to treat the groups and/ or the items inside a group;

H.  Finally, you can possibly deselect some group either because you do not have enough to say about it  or because it might have too little interest or benefit for your reader.

Here is an example of what I mean.  For the sake of brevity, I have not included the details that would fill out the paragraphs.  (I tend to write my introductions and conclusions much later in the process.)

[Starting outline]

Lighting Helps Studying

Changing adequacy of sunlight

Directness/adequacy of light from lamp

For those who wear eyeglasses:

     Are your glasses right for using a computer?

     Are your glasses adequately clean?

     Are your eyes changing?

Possible effects of inadequate lighting:

     Loss of attentiveness due to fatigue

     Slower progress 

     Possible misreading

    [Revised, More Formal Outline]

Preventing Eyestrain When Reading

A. Ways to eliminate eyestrain:

     1. Arrange adequate lighting:

          a. Supplement sunlight as it diminishes

          b. Bring your lamp close enough

          c. Use a bright enough bulb

          d. Use a translucent lampshade

     2. Pay close attention to your eyeglasses

          a. Keep your eyeglasses clean

          b. Keep your eyeglass prescription up to date

B. Effects of eyestrain:

     1. Weariness

          a. Pokiness

          b. Inattentiveness

     2. Possible misreading

     3. Possible discouragement

[No attempt has been made to put these in some better order yet, but items have been subtracted, changed, and/or added at will.  A lot of attention was given to a title that would allow discussion of both effects of eyestrain and strategies for offsetting it--and to selecting groups and wording their "headings."  As I add the details to the outline, I would most certainly make additional changes.  Moreover, as I do the actual writing, I treat such an outline as a guide rather than a mandate.]

Commentary

If you find that what you write is disorganized and/or lacks cohesiveness or adequate development, such an informal-to-more-formal outline could well be an invaluable remedy.

Copyright ©  Anthony D. Hunter 2002