If the answer is "pick a method and be consistent", your question may be one of style.
2
votes
4answers
34 views
Paragraph Style
I have often heard of the advice that "use a style that works best in your situation".
In regard to paragraph styling for an ebook, there are a few options:
A single space (between paragraphs) and ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
79 views
Creative writing use and abuse
I am wondering what is the limit, if any, of justifying one's writing style as being creative.
I have often seen the use of a single word or phrase as a 'sentence' for creating impact. Example: "It ...
6
votes
3answers
130 views
Techniques to write for a wider audience
Many years ago, I wrote a short story that used specific information from my cultural background e.g. a belief that if you dream something, it is a form of a vision (superstition, some may say!). This ...
0
votes
2answers
25 views
What is the correct location for page numbers in a report?
I am writing a report on our project in school, and we were discussing what would be the best place for the page numbers. It seems obvious, at least to us, that the page numbers should be ...
6
votes
2answers
96 views
What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?
Ok, I'm starting to get a feel for this, but I'm hoping someone can explain it more clearly for me.
I learned in all my English classes that sensory imagery is important, which naturally involves a ...
4
votes
2answers
71 views
Punctuating dialogue with oneself
I am wondering what is the convention for punctuating dialogue with oneself.
In particular, if a character speaks to himself, does the words need to be put in open and closed quotes. Note that the ...
2
votes
3answers
89 views
Do empty pages need a number?
I would like to start each chapter on the right side of the book, as there are few chapters with a different point of view. I know numbering has to continue on the white page which might appear in ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Maintaining the consistency of voice and spontaneity throughout a piece
So straight to it, I don't write very long pieces. Usually poetry or flash fiction and a smattering of short stories whenever it needs to be longer, though I have aspirations (mostly just dreams) of ...
-1
votes
3answers
48 views
Which one is correct? [closed]
This book will expand your knowledge of Italian food and allow you to surprise your friends and family with authentic home-cooked meals that taste delicious.
or
This book will expand your knowledge ...
4
votes
4answers
174 views
Does writing in a certain mood change how a writer writes?
I'm not sure if this is right for this part of Stackexchange, but since there is no psychology section, here we go:
I'm currently writing the same short story several times with the intention of ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Chopped sentences with too many conjunction, and repeating the subject again and again
I have tendency to write chopped sentences with too many conjunctions, repeating the subject again and again. I don't want that but I'm not skilled in English.
For example how do write the following ...
-1
votes
2answers
71 views
Writing style — comma, period and re-referring the object of the first sentence again as subject in second sentence [closed]
Alex look around the room, it's almost empty except few small empty boxes and few clothes.
Alex look around the room. It's almost empty except few small empty boxes and few clothes.
Alex ...
2
votes
0answers
39 views
How to cite a Terms of Service in APA style
I need to cite a Google condition using APA style.
I have the following paragraph, but when I pass it through Viper I get plagiarized. How shall I do?
4
votes
1answer
42 views
What is the proper format/style for using and properly citing code in an APA paper?
I'm working on a paper that covers concurrency in Java, however to properly explain many concepts I feel code samples are basically needed.
However, I don't know how to properly cite code I've ...
5
votes
5answers
180 views
Best Practices To Learn By Reading?
I've been browsing writers.se for a while and I've noticed a lot of folks state you have to READ to be able to write. I'm currently having trouble working time to read fiction into my daily routine.
...
8
votes
2answers
161 views
Overuse of bullet points
I collaborate with someone who insists on making every sentence (or two) in a business document into a bullet point, by prefacing it with a bullet.
This is typically done across a multi-page ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Does this excerpt strike a balance between the formality of steampunk and accessible writing?
I'm having a bit of trouble, since I'm writing in a semi-new genre. I ordinarily write fantasy with a modern-day setting, but my latest experiment is steampunk set in not-exactly-Earth, so it has a ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Multiple tasks and a step by step tutorial
To my knowledge step-by-step tutorials should have the form of a ladder, where you describe how to get to a place step by step– accomplishing a single task at the end. Is it possible to accomplish ...
0
votes
2answers
70 views
What are the advantages of different date formats in resumes and CVs?
I've seen a somewhat related question, but it doesn't answer my question quite right. Say you're writing an event that happened on a single day, and you need to put it in your resume or CV. So how ...
1
vote
3answers
81 views
Improving techniques independently: Description
How can I improve my technique in description?
Which things I should avoid in description?
How can I know, that I put "enough" description and will go to narration?
My description technique is bad ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Comma between the following clauses in AP Style?
The AP style says that a comma is not needed between two clauses that have the same subject. However, it would become ambiguous if I removed the comma fromt the following:
When you walk straight ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
A more effective way of writing this dialogue:
I'm translating a story, and there is scene in it where an ex-colleague asks the man who had slapped the female protagonist the reason for his doing so. In reply, all he says is something like, “What ...
1
vote
3answers
124 views
The value of labeling book sections
My wife is beginning a novel, and she's written four chapters in under six pages. I suggested that she consider using page breaks or lowercase Roman numeraled sections instead of chapters because a ...
7
votes
4answers
159 views
How to avoid specifying the gender in English when the original text does not specify it?
I'm translating a short story from Korean into English. One problem I frequently face is the 'antecedent pronoun agreement' when the original text leaves the 'gender' of the subject unspecified (and ...
0
votes
3answers
101 views
Words in author's native language?
Why in some essays or articles there are words in author's native language?
(In other words, the essay is in English and there are some Spanish word spread out in whole essay)
Does it necessarily ...
4
votes
4answers
145 views
Is it acceptable practice to use contractions in a fictional first person narrative for children?
I am writing a children's story in first person, present tense. Aside from the quotes from characters, all of the text is meant to represent the narrator's own thoughts, and either describes what they ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Should I punctuate abbreviations for Old English, Middle English etc. in academic writing?
When using an abbreviation such as OFr (Old French) or ME (Middle English) in academic writing, what is the best way to stylise it? Masses of punctuation looks messy, but I am concerned my assignment ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
What is the correct way to write a fractional number in a formal letter?
If I'm talking about a length of time in a cover letter, let's say 5.5 years, what would be the correct way to write this?
five-and-a-half years
5-1/2 years
5.5 years
4
votes
1answer
82 views
singular or plural for index entries
I am in the final stages of writing a book and currently I am preparing the index. Are there any rules whether index entries should be listed in singular or plural?
Currently I have
Markov chains, ...
1
vote
3answers
190 views
How to use parentheses
Parentheses have many uses; I find myself reaching for them often. Increasingly though, I realise I can convey the same meaning without parentheses with little or only minor loss in succinctness. ...
3
votes
2answers
95 views
How to cite multiple chapters from same book in Vancouver style?
How can I cite multiple chapters from the same book? Do I have to use separate reference numbers, if they are by different authors?
3
votes
2answers
54 views
Standardizing capitalization within a bibliography or footnotes when your sources have used different standards
I’m compiling a bibliography and want to know if I should standardize the capitalization within the titles of the articles. I understand that copying mistakes/typos, etc., is one thing, and usually ...
0
votes
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
106 views
Am i using “he/she” too often during action scenes?
I'm not sure if I am being too overly critical of what I write or if I am actually falling into that "He/She" echo. By that I mean, using "he" or "she" over and over during the action, or combat in ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
Should paragraphs split over pages in thesis?
I am writing a technical thesis with quite a few figures, tables and equations. These items break up the "flow" of the document. To mitigate this some journals suggest placing such items at the top or ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
How do I change a novel from first person to limited third person?
For various reasons (increased clarity, and an interested agent), I'm rewriting what was once two first-person POVs into a third person limited POV.
Other answers have previously established the ...
5
votes
1answer
97 views
How to quote from a foreign journal that has not been translated?
I need to quote from a journal written in Arabic. What should I do? Write it first in Arabic then followed by translation and indicating that it is my own translation (translated by author)? Can I ...
1
vote
5answers
104 views
Are there rules for, or guidelines on, time gaps between a plot's scenes/chapters?
I've been reading a host of old favourites, classics and authors outside of my usual reading pool, in an effort to dissect the writing (from plot, characters and environment to voice, pacing and ...
-1
votes
1answer
92 views
What language style should I use for a tech blog?
I am getting ready to launch a tech/personal opinion blog slightly more geared towards technical details. What documentation style is best for a journalistic/technical doc style?
Thanks.
1
vote
2answers
78 views
Possible interactions of punctuation marks with the word “however” in a novel
When using the word however in my story, I feel like using a semicolon before it disrupts the flow of words in the readers head too much.
So, is the usage of a comma or semicolon necessary in front ...
4
votes
3answers
200 views
Very long sentences: personal style or just bad writing?
I'm writing a story targeted towards children in which the protagonist is a young girl. I find that in writing her dialog and the narrative, I'm producing a lot of very long sentences, to the point ...
6
votes
5answers
279 views
Must every piece of speech get its own paragraph?
I've had a few people read pieces of narrative writing I've done, and they seem to take issue with the fact that I sometimes put a piece of speech inline with the rest of a non-dialogue paragraph, ...
-1
votes
4answers
202 views
Please help me re-word this sentence [closed]
I'm having a hard time formulating a sentence with the following meaning
Please note that not all eBooks support all the different platforms
and devices.
I think the sentence conveys the idea ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Looking for some tips on how to improve writing [closed]
I have just completed my first draft of a novel. Now the story is completed it's time to capture the style so the reader can engage in the story. I want to make sure the story style is easy enough for ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
Differences in personal statements between American and UK universities?
A friend has asked me to review a personal statement she's written for acceptance into a UK university.
I have experience in assisting others with their writing, but as an American I want to ensure ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
Is it good style in fiction to write sentences as a flow of (disjointed) thoughts? [closed]
I was wondering whether it is okay to write like this or not:
I never went for the grooves. But I did take a seat near the bar table and checked out the pretty ladies. Drinking was not my cup of ...
4
votes
5answers
375 views
Using dashes in writing dialogue
Does anyone use em dashes (or two hyphens) to denote speakers in dialogue passages? Joyce does this as does William Gaddis. Many others. I practice it, but my only "conceptual understanding" is that ...
6
votes
2answers
223 views
What exactly is wrong with 'It was a dark and stormy night'? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why is “It was a dark and stormy night..” not a good opening?
The phrase in question is derided everywhere. Wikipedia calls it infamous and purple prose, the ...
9
votes
2answers
259 views
Striking the balance between dialogue and narrative
I am participating in National Novel Writing Month this year. I have never in my life written so much of a single story. Although I am supposed to tell my inner editor to shut up this month, she is ...
