If the answer is "pick a method and be consistent", your question may be one of style.
3
votes
3answers
115 views
How to leverage social proof?
How can one use social proof as an argument without sounding like "just because everybody is doing it so should you"?. My problem is trying to demonstrate with social proof that trendy ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Are there good writing exercises for compressing expression?
I recently sat down and wrote a poem after a long hiatus. It was a narrative poem with a formal rhyme scheme. I'm pretty dissatisfied with my initial draft, as it was far too wordy.
Besides editing ...
3
votes
1answer
119 views
Punctuation-Quote or Quote-Punctuation?
I'm writing a document using the Chicago Manual of Syle. I have not access to the full guide, only to what's provided on-line.
Now I wondering as to whether, in the main text itself, I should use the ...
3
votes
1answer
187 views
How Important are essay writing conventions in the university level and above?
I go to a CEGEP, which is basically pre-university in Montreal. In my Introduction to English class, I had a teacher who allowed us to go around the typical essay writing conventions. Conventions like ...
3
votes
1answer
231 views
What is the style used in ISO/IEC publications?
I'm in the process of preparing a document to be sent to ISO/IEC WG14. What is the official style used in ISO/IEC publications (if there is one)? If there is no official style guide, is there a ...
3
votes
1answer
71 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
73 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
46 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
66 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
141 views
Book cover conventions
I'm looking for an authoritative convention for attributing a book to both an author and editor.
It is necessary in this instance to have the editor's name on the cover as well as the author's.
None ...
3
votes
2answers
161 views
How do I express opinion informed by my beliefs without being hamfisted? [closed]
As authors, our influences can come from many places. Religion is definitely one of many influences on people's work. I believe a work should be a reflection of its author, yet religion can be really ...
2
votes
6answers
265 views
How should I phrase “requests” to a higher-ranked individual in another department?
At work, I lead a small team of programmers. I often have to request equipment and services from our I.T. department, and all of those requests have to go directly to the C.I.O., which is an ...
2
votes
5answers
520 views
What does “Exposition and Ammunition – back story” mean in screenwriting?
I am just starting my first screen writing class and I got an assignment that says: Exposition and Ammunition – back story. I have been searching online but I don't get it. Can someone explain it for ...
2
votes
4answers
596 views
How to explain a war scene?
In my novel, I have a part where there is a war scene, and I need to explain it precisely from the king's point of view. How can I explain the war graphics vividly?
2
votes
5answers
200 views
How do I keep up with current written English language?
I am a speaker of English as a foreign language. I appreciate that English is a living language and that different regions in the world use English differently. I wanted to know how I can keep up with ...
2
votes
3answers
55 views
Spelling style in academic papers
When an article is submitted to a conference or journal, is it better to use British or American spelling? Does it have to be according to the conference or journal's style (based on where it is being ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
When is it correct to capitalize terms/phrases in a personal statement?
I'm writing a personal statement for graduate admissions, and I've a query regarding the use of capitalization in the midst of sentences. For example, is it correct/expected to capitalize the names of ...
2
votes
2answers
376 views
Are contractions antithetical to academic writing?
This question is very specific to academic writing:
I used the contraction "don't" instead of "do not" in some of the papers. Some of the reviewers mentioned that "don't" is not a formal style of ...
2
votes
2answers
191 views
Indirect Narration Style
Does the indirect narration style (as in: 'Surely she was going to ask him out tomorrow.') directly fall into the classification of Narration?
2
votes
3answers
438 views
Help me rewrite this sentence [closed]
I would like help re-writing this sentence. I would like the overall tone of the language kept intact, and I would like it to be as concise, eloquent and well written as possible.
In the event ...
2
votes
1answer
129 views
Style signatures and uncommon formatting patterns
Style signatures are bits of words and phrases used consistently throughout the entirety of a work (but not necessarily among my unrelated works). I would like to try using style signatures in a work ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Does this passage convey an appropriate mix of seriousness and levity?
The following is a standalone passage from a collection meant to deal with topics of psychology, philosophy and self-help.
The question is: Is the quirky style helpful in driving home the point, or ...
2
votes
1answer
149 views
Are different styles/storylines prefered in different languages/cultures?
I'm a german and I write in german. Can I apply the hints for style or storybuilding given here or from english authors without a second thought to my work? Or exists differences in how are a style or ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
730 views
Abbreviation for “figures” in scientific papers
In scientific papers, the term "Figure" -- referring to an illustration in the text -- is often abbreviated as "Fig." But is "Figures" abbreviated as "Figs", "Fig.s" or "Figs."? I am proofreading a ...
2
votes
3answers
138 views
When to start a new paragraph and when to start a new “scene”
This is an extract of a short story I'm writing. Sometimes I get confused about when to start a new paragraph and when to start a new "scene." So I would like to know if I'm doing it properly here ...
2
votes
1answer
457 views
How to reference data files, APA-style?
I'm preparing an assignment which requires two MS Project files to be submitted, containing WBS/GANTT charts for a fictional project, and a textual explanation of what I did and why, which.
(All the ...
2
votes
3answers
77 views
What's the best way to distinguish between co-authors?
I know a couple of people who are co-authoring a book, and they have been debating how to go about distinguishing between the two of them in their content. They have an outline of topics that they are ...
2
votes
1answer
311 views
How to write time duration correctly
Within a user manual, I need to convey the maximum time period allowed as "365 days 23 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds" - are commas expected between each component? Is the word "and" expected before the ...
2
votes
0answers
35 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?
2
votes
0answers
167 views
Is Strunk and White's “The Elements” full of “stupid grammar advice?” [closed]
In a previous question I asked about The Elements, RegDwight posted a comment containing a link to this article by Geoffrey K. Pullum:
50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice.
There is also a lengthier ...
1
vote
5answers
254 views
Is the following piece of text comprehensible and written in good style?
I am a PhD candidate and I am having difficulty in communicating effectively in writing. Specifically, this post is a piece of text submitted for critique and, in addition, explains what I am trying ...
1
vote
7answers
1k views
Write a resume objective that expresses my desire to hone and sharpen my skills
I wish to convey to prospective employers that I not only want to use my skills, but hone and sharpen them as well.
Does the below paragraph do justice to it?
Do you have any suggestions?
Does the ...
1
vote
4answers
224 views
“…and the fire from the stove engulfed him” or “jumped on him” or “covered him” or “devoured him” or what?
Which verb should I use here?
He opened the stove and the fire from the stove [engulfed/jumped on/covered/devoured] him. "Help! Help!" - he shouted at once. "I'm on fire!"
1
vote
7answers
629 views
Verb tense for technical document titles
I'm writing a technical manual about creating database systems, and wondered what is the best verb tense for title names.
My ideas are:
Continuous (-ing) form: (e.g. "Creating a Cluster", "Creating ...
1
vote
4answers
335 views
How can I write poems in an attractable manner?
I have written several poems, but only very few won prices. Those poems impressed people very much, so I want you to share your thoughts, what are the key things I have to focus on or I have to keep ...
1
vote
3answers
520 views
Are there alternatives to 'in such a way'? [closed]
Considering the sentence:
I'd like to do ... in such a way that ... is achieved.
Does this sound wordy? If so, is there a way to streamline it?
1
vote
3answers
2k views
How do I sign a (formal) email?
My email client includes a signature beneath the text of my writing. Currently it is of the form:
------------
John Doe
Acme Widget Company
123 Elm Street
Metropolis, USA
phone:222-555-1212
...
1
vote
1answer
57 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
120 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
75 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 ...
1
vote
4answers
337 views
Which tense should I use when writing a post about a journey?
What tense could I use when I write about a journey? Suppose if I write about a train journey and describe the countryside, would using a present tense create a deeper impact to the reader? I could ...
1
vote
2answers
140 views
What free tools are there to help me improve my English?
I am in the process of writing a research paper in Computer Science. Are there any free tools/browser plugins/web sites/latex plugins that would help me improve my English? I am looking for some nice ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
Using Glossary Instead of Footnotes (for translation/transliteration)
I am writing a technical report with keywords which are mainly English. I am using a Glossary at the end, which describes translated keywords. Is it a replacement for footnotes or I should just keep ...
1
vote
1answer
55 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
3answers
77 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
104 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 ...
1
vote
5answers
97 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
vote
1answer
59 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
vote
3answers
178 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. ...
