Non-fiction is a form of prose writing that factually describes real events and people, sometimes offering additional commentary. This tag should be used for any questions relating to non-fiction, including non-fiction formatting and technique, non-fiction critiques, and the publishing of ...
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Writing a newspaper article summary
First of all, I'd like to apologize in advance for my horrible English, but it's not my primary language and I still can't help but make some blunders.
I have been assigned to write a newspaper ...
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1answer
79 views
How does one involve people in writing non-fiction?
I haven't written anything serious in a while, but I would like to get back into writing non-fiction. In particular, I want to write about "big ideas" that interest me; however, I realize that ...
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1answer
86 views
Is it possible my book could be taken off-line for sale if there is a cease and desist letter?
I have written a true story on my experience with some individuals and major corporations. The book has factual proof throughout story. I am afraid that they may get angry and send cease and desist ...
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2answers
245 views
How do I find good interview subjects?
I have an idea for a series of science articles, but I don't have a strong background in the particular field.
What's a good way to identify experts who I could interview to shore up the details and ...
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101 views
Critique: Make excerpt more visual/flow better
I have this excerpt I'm not sure is fluid and visual enough:
Peter came out of the café rubbing his tummy. The chipmunk had a smile on the
face and seemed content.
Not too far behind him ...
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1answer
62 views
How are citations formatted in serious non-fiction (proposals)?
Just to be clear, I'm not talking about scholarly work of the sort that might be published by a university press. I'm talking about work by people like Goodwin, McCullough, or Larson. These kinds of ...
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2answers
290 views
My Ex husband's wife self published a non fiction book naming my kids in the story
My ex husband's wife self published a non fiction book and put my kids in the story as well. She did not change their names. Neither she nor my ex husband told me about this or asked me (or the ...
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2answers
261 views
How should I format a non fiction book with Scrivener?
I have written mainly novels in Scrivener, and am now thinking of writing a small non-fiction work (which I will self publish).
When writing a novel, you just keep typing til you reach the end, but ...
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1answer
56 views
Critique of this short text about inequality and contempt
I understand it is possible to ask for critiques here and ask that you guide me to adapt this question if needed.
Now, I feel the need every now and then to get a thought down on paper. However, I am ...
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6answers
583 views
What are some ingredients of really engaging non-fiction?
Some of the best non-fiction writers, in terms of sales at least, seem to be able to write in a really engaging and easy to read style that makes their work hard to put down. For example, ...
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3answers
122 views
How can I express this fragment more clearly and concisely?
For the 'who is this application for' section of an application user guide, I have the following alternatives, I'm not happy with either one. How can I convey both elements more clearly and ...
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2answers
85 views
Are TOC and appendix part of total word count for books?
Do table of contents, appendix, and chapter titles count toward the total word count for a book?
For example, if a book is 50,000 words, what is not included in the count? This is for a nonfiction ...
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5answers
225 views
Using uncommon abbreviations
Something which I see all the time in (popular) science writing is the use of abbreviations to indicate concepts. For (a made up) example:
So when we're dealing with Anachronistic Meta Mechanics ...
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3answers
126 views
How can people doing technical, archane work be portrayed interestingly?
I'd like to write the biography of an important, underrated scientist who performed a really important experiment. He persevered for many years, became ill (and recovered) along the way, and ...
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3answers
239 views
How can I write anonymously (based on true experiences)?
I want to use an experience I had which is pretty unbelievable but true. The majority of the story will be completely true. It's not over yet so I want to use an ending which is NOT true yet works ...
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1answer
131 views
How short is “short monograph”?
I've seen several references to some "short monograph on subject X". But how short is that? Is there a standard length to use as a reference?
I realize that this depends on page size and font, so I ...
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1answer
164 views
Tools for exploring and analysing document structure?
I'm currently writing a thesis. Just the introduction is 25 pages/8000 words. The whole document will probably be 70 pages or so. With a document this large, and on such a complex topic, it can be ...
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6answers
447 views
Does this feel like natural English?
Although I'm pretty confident in my English, I'm not a native English speaker. I need to write a short introduction for a symposium; I'd like to know if you think this paragraph feels like 'natural' ...
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13answers
988 views
Does a technical writer need a technical background?
Does a technical writer need a technical background?
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2answers
233 views
What permissions do I need to write a non-fiction book based on personal interviews?
I am writing a non-fiction book based on recorded interviews with several people. I have recorded verbal consent to be interviewed for the book from each person. One of the interviewees has since ...
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1answer
112 views
What permissions do I need for nonfiction travelogue?
I am writing (and self publishing) a non-fiction travelogue about a cross country roadtrip. I have already obtained permission from the person I traveled with, and there are no other main characters ...
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2answers
144 views
How can I get book my non-fiction book reviewed by professional reviewers?
I had my book reviewed by people who are interested in the topic of the book. Now interested in reviews by professional book reviewers. What is the appropriate way - directly approaching potential ...
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5answers
985 views
How do I avoid legal repercussions for writing a story based on events in my life?
How do I avoid legal repercussions for writing a story based on events in my life?
Mainly, I have experienced events that I would like to share with the world. These events are somewhat disturbing ...
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5answers
416 views
Paragraph flow, verb inversion and last sentence tone
The paragraph below is a conclusion for an essay. I have three problems with the paragraph that I would like to review with you.
This experience showed me that ignoring an interpersonal conflict ...
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1answer
82 views
Advice on choice of epigram
I am writing a paper on Internet censorship in China and was considering starting it with a thought provoking epigram to draw the reader.
The title of the paper in question is:
China's Internet ...
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10answers
462 views
How can one make technical issues more accessible to a non-technical audience?
Most of what I write is non-fiction -- technical books, blog posts on open source topics, political stuff, etc. Lately, I find that some of the topics I am trying to present are much more technical ...
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1answer
92 views
Should I use different pen names for different audiences (non-fiction)?
I am working on three separate works for three different audiences. All are non-fiction. One is for children ages eight to twelve, another is for teens ages fourteen to twenty, and the third is for ...
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3answers
249 views
Please help me polish this paragraph.
I'm learning English as a foreign language. In one of my writings, one paragraph goes:
But it's not saying we just indulge ourselves and turn into wild beasts. We train our brain hard so that we ...
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3answers
398 views
Do you need to get author's permission to quote him in a non-fiction book?
I have a non-fiction book idea that would frequently use quotes/reviews from a specific author. Would I need to get that author's permission to quote him/her, and to base the entire book on these ...
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2answers
259 views
Citing speech and interviews in biographies
I am currently writing a biography of a band, and have a question regarding citing quotes, such as from interviews. Is it necessary to cite everything a person (for example a band member or manager) ...
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1answer
399 views
When do I need to obtain permission to photograph and write about a business, work of art, or person?
I am preparing a book which will include lots of short passages, on a variety of subjects, many of which are related to a single area in a city. Each passage will also have a photograph, which I ...
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7answers
761 views
Good Outlining Solutions For OSX?
I write technical non-fiction and find that I cannot write well without first constructing a detailed (10-20 page) outline. Are there any good outlining solutions for OSX? Apps? Templates in Microsoft ...
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5answers
544 views
Is it good style to use latin phrases in english scientific literature?
I don't know how much and deep actually school kids in the US get in touch with Latin. In Europe you can choose it on many high schools and the use of it common in mainstream media. For some areas of ...
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1answer
163 views
Software for instructional book
I saw this question on software for fiction writers. I'm wondering if there is software out there for non-fiction/instructional/research writing?
Seems like yWriter and Scrivener focus on organizing ...
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1answer
130 views
Where can I find exercises to help me develop fictional writing techniques useful in narrative nonfiction?
I usually write explanatory nonfiction, but now I am interested in something more narrative--think Erik Larson or Rebecca Skloot, for example. I write clearly, and understand basic ideas about ...
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1answer
150 views
How much should I reveal about my book idea to a publishing house representative?
I am a faculty member at a small liberal arts college and a colleague and I are working on a textbook that is still basically in outline stage. The idea is not completely novel but there are not a ...
2
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2answers
3k views
Minimum (realistic) word count of non-fiction book
What is a reasonable estimate for the minimum length, in word count, for a non-fiction book? I'd guesstimate that non-fiction books "generally" (yes, this is very rough) run perhaps 150-450 pages, ...
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2answers
132 views
All persons fictitious - where to place it?
I've got an all persons fictitious disclaimer similar to the one mentioned at All persons fictitious disclaimer — ideas regarding modification? but where should I place it?
Bear in mind, this is a ...
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2answers
174 views
Correct order for Thesis Front Matter
What is the correct order of the following pages comprising a doctoral thesis: Title, Abstract, Colophon, Copyright, Dedication, Preface, Acknowledgements, Table of Contents, List of Tables, List of ...
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1answer
254 views
Length of non-fiction article and what to do about it
I have been working on a non-fiction (mostly biographical) article that currently is about 9,000 words and I have perhaps 30% more to go, so perhaps the final article would be 12-14k words or so. I ...
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3answers
207 views
Writing a math exercise book
I am in the process of compiling a collection of exercises in Linear Algebra, (freshman course).
This is mainly just a series of examples, with a short theoretical introduction to each chapter with a ...
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3answers
281 views
What makes for interesting travel writing/blogging?
I wanted to hear a few words about travel writing. What qualities make for the most engrossing stories, especially for readers who are just sort of gauging their interest? I've read a number of ...
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4answers
310 views
Which goes first: summary, background or justification?
I am trying to write a long expository piece and cannot figure out which information should come first. Here are three candidates:
A summary/abstract lists the main points, without necessarily ...
4
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2answers
81 views
What are effective ways of working with a nonfiction editor?
How do you defend the integrity of your work while maintaining a cooperative and friendly rapport? Specifically, how can one work with an editor who is perhaps a bit overzealous?
2
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2answers
257 views
Is there a typical structure for non-fiction popular science books? If so, what is it?
Is there an accepted or suggested structure for writing non-fiction (specifically, popular science) books?
As an example of the type of book I mean, there's Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational: a ...
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3answers
510 views
When is it acceptable to use the first person (“I”, “we”) in technical reports?
When is it acceptable to use the first person ("I", "we") in technical reports?
3
votes
4answers
496 views
Strunk and White vs “Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace” by Williams and Colomb
I'd like to improve my writing and have been considering getting either The Elements of Style by Strunk and White or Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace by Williams and Colomb. What are their ...
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10answers
275 views
An alternative to saying 'users' when describing features
I'm creating some copy describing new web-app features for a number of different audiences (users, managers of sections of the site, owners of sub-sites which use our platform etc.).
I'm finding ...
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4answers
247 views
Can I use “We” to refer to me and the reader?
I am writing my thesis and in many cases I want to take the reader through an example. For example:
Besides the advanced composition rules, it is also important to have a set of
basic rules to ...
5
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1answer
347 views
Is an overview clearer when outlined with bullet points, or when written in paragraphs?
I am writing a short piece for a technical audience. In essence I have three main points, each with sub-points. A few of the sub-points themselves have sub-points. I cannot help but find it clearer ...
