Has any English teacher taught you good strategies for writing that were useful?
Jon Morrow, the author of "Seven Bad Writing Habits You Learned in School" explores seven bad writing habits that are passed on to students in English class. Morrow thinks that "good writing doesn't have to be educated or well supported or even grammatically correct. It does have to be interesting enough that other people want to read it."
He points out that what we were taught from English teachers aren't the best techniques. Then he layout his concepts of bad writing habits that many don't even know about.
My most favorite advice from Morrow is, "The truth is that you are in charge. You. The blank page is sitting there, and you can fill it up with whatever the hell you want. So stop sitting there, silly. Go for it."
I've always thought that what good writers say is what I must follow. Wrong.
What good writers say is a big toolbox, however, I'm at the control after all.
Like Morrow says, "You should listen to more experienced writers, sure, but never more than you listen to yourself."
The other thing that stands out in this story is it's smooth and easy to read because Morrow's views are arranged in numerical order. Also the story contains long and short paragraphs in alternate shifts. This won't get readers bored.
Morrow quotes what Stephen King said as a guidance for using profanity. Because of this, I can relate myself to what I read in a book "On Writing" by Stephen King, and make the audience who haven't read his books interested in reading.
I found this story practical and useful for those who are already in and will be in writing field. I'd love to read if there was a story of "Seven Good Writing Habits You Learned in School."
In fact, I googled this title, and I could find none.
Similar Articles
Forget these 7 things for first draft freedom
10 writing habits of successful writers
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Jennifer Moody
Textbooks provide informations that I will need to use as a reporter, but there are so much more to learn from an experienced writer.
Jennifer Moody is a reporter and a writer at Albany Democrat-Herald. She was our guest speaker in my feature writing class, and she shared her experiences working as a feature story writer. She told us some of great tips that we can use for feature writing.
Moody emphasized on accuracy and fairness as we write a story. "Spelling, capitalization, punctuation and grammar determine your intelligence," she said.
Also she explained the matter of a nut graph. Moody said, "The nut graph is the main point of a story."
A nut graph is the main paragraph that expresses the value of a story. It is essential to write a good nut graph so that it won't drift readers away from reading a story.
Her another advice was unless stories are not commentary or opinionated, keep thoughts out of stories.
"Don't take a stand. The stand is left to readers." She added, "It is responsible to be objective."
Moody works 30 hours a week and takes care of her family. She prefers working as a part-time reporter compared with working at a place like The New York Times where she will need to be on call all the time. She loves writing as much as working in the newsroom.
"The fun thing about working in a newsroom is that you work with word people."
Articles by Jennifer Moody
Before you date a journalist
Writing Matters
Pokemon Philosophy
At a glance
What: Writing Tips
Who: Jennifer Moody from Democrat- Herald
Where: LBCC
When: Feb. 23rd, Wednesday
Jennifer Moody is a reporter and a writer at Albany Democrat-Herald. She was our guest speaker in my feature writing class, and she shared her experiences working as a feature story writer. She told us some of great tips that we can use for feature writing.
Moody emphasized on accuracy and fairness as we write a story. "Spelling, capitalization, punctuation and grammar determine your intelligence," she said.
Also she explained the matter of a nut graph. Moody said, "The nut graph is the main point of a story."
A nut graph is the main paragraph that expresses the value of a story. It is essential to write a good nut graph so that it won't drift readers away from reading a story.
Her another advice was unless stories are not commentary or opinionated, keep thoughts out of stories.
"Don't take a stand. The stand is left to readers." She added, "It is responsible to be objective."
Moody works 30 hours a week and takes care of her family. She prefers working as a part-time reporter compared with working at a place like The New York Times where she will need to be on call all the time. She loves writing as much as working in the newsroom.
"The fun thing about working in a newsroom is that you work with word people."
Articles by Jennifer Moody
Before you date a journalist
Writing Matters
Pokemon Philosophy
At a glance
What: Writing Tips
Who: Jennifer Moody from Democrat- Herald
Where: LBCC
When: Feb. 23rd, Wednesday
Potential Reduced Budget on PBS and NPR
Republicans are once again trying to cut budget on public broadcasting and radio.
Recently, republicans released their proposal on national budget. According to the proposal, it cuts spending on PBS and NPR. In fact, it's almost none. Without support from the government, will there be cancellations of programs? If this became true, viewres who rely on public broadcasting may not be informed as much. Great progarms such as Nova Science Now, The Frontline, Masterpiece might not be able to provide as a good quality as they had been.
Firing of Juan Williams after his controversial remarks about Muslims on Fox News may have caused backlash on some people to turn against NPR. Williams had defended his words were "not a bigoted statement."
According to ABC News/politics, "House Republican made a proposal in November to strip federal for NPR after the radio station fired controversial commentator Juan Williams for comments he made about Muslims."
At a glance
What: Possible decreased funding on PBS and NPR
Who: Republicans, PBS and NPR
When: Current
Where: in the United States
Recently, republicans released their proposal on national budget. According to the proposal, it cuts spending on PBS and NPR. In fact, it's almost none. Without support from the government, will there be cancellations of programs? If this became true, viewres who rely on public broadcasting may not be informed as much. Great progarms such as Nova Science Now, The Frontline, Masterpiece might not be able to provide as a good quality as they had been.
Firing of Juan Williams after his controversial remarks about Muslims on Fox News may have caused backlash on some people to turn against NPR. Williams had defended his words were "not a bigoted statement."
According to ABC News/politics, "House Republican made a proposal in November to strip federal for NPR after the radio station fired controversial commentator Juan Williams for comments he made about Muslims."
The Daily Free Press reported that "if the bill were to pass in the Senate, WBUR, Boston's NPR-affiliated radio station, would lose about $1.35 million, or about 6 percent of its funding."
Some claim that public-broadcasting like PBS ask viewers for donations so the proposal won't have a big impact. However, perhaps the call for donations is because they are in need of finances.
Republicans may not have appreciated NPR's action on Juan Williams, but the favoritism should not play a part. It seems like our politics is still divided as opposed to being civil.
At a glance
What: Possible decreased funding on PBS and NPR
Who: Republicans, PBS and NPR
When: Current
Where: in the United States
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saudi Arabian Night
This coming Sunday, SASU (Saudi Arabia Students Association) will show a movie "Arabia"at 8:15 p.m., Dark Side Cinema in Corvallis.
The film portrays Islam, the history of Muslims and Arab inventions of science and art.
Invite your friends and explore the world of Arabian culture!
At a Glance
What: Arabia
When: Feb. 20, Sunday
Where: Dark Side Cinema 215 Southwest 4th Street Corvallis
Links
1001 inventions and the Library of Secrets Part1
1001 inventions and the Library of Secrets Part2
The film portrays Islam, the history of Muslims and Arab inventions of science and art.
Invite your friends and explore the world of Arabian culture!
At a Glance
What: Arabia
When: Feb. 20, Sunday
Where: Dark Side Cinema 215 Southwest 4th Street Corvallis
Links
1001 inventions and the Library of Secrets Part1
1001 inventions and the Library of Secrets Part2
Monday, February 14, 2011
News/Issues Outline
Nut Graph:
Republicans are once again trying to cut budget on PBS and NPR. Let's save the value of Elmo, Mr. Rogers, Charlie Rose, Master Piece, Frontline, and Nova Science Now.
My partner Kay will research on how PBS and NPR are funded and how we can save them.
I'll write an opinion about why saving these companies are important to us and what will happen if the funding gets reduced.
Questions:
1. What will happen if the funding gets reduced.
2. Why PBS and NPR? Are there any other companies that will have this effect?
3. How does PBS use its funding?
4. As a viewer, what will be a drawback from this issue?
5. If republicans succeeded, will there be less programs?
6. What are opinions of this issue's supporters?
Sources:
PBS website, NPR website, Kay might be able to interview someone who works for PBS
What: Possible decreased funding on PBS and NPR
Who: Republicans, PBS, NPR
When: Current
Where: in the United States
U.S. News
SDGLN.com
MoveOn. org Civic Action
Republicans are once again trying to cut budget on PBS and NPR. Let's save the value of Elmo, Mr. Rogers, Charlie Rose, Master Piece, Frontline, and Nova Science Now.
My partner Kay will research on how PBS and NPR are funded and how we can save them.
I'll write an opinion about why saving these companies are important to us and what will happen if the funding gets reduced.
Questions:
1. What will happen if the funding gets reduced.
2. Why PBS and NPR? Are there any other companies that will have this effect?
3. How does PBS use its funding?
4. As a viewer, what will be a drawback from this issue?
5. If republicans succeeded, will there be less programs?
6. What are opinions of this issue's supporters?
Sources:
PBS website, NPR website, Kay might be able to interview someone who works for PBS
What: Possible decreased funding on PBS and NPR
Who: Republicans, PBS, NPR
When: Current
Where: in the United States
U.S. News
SDGLN.com
MoveOn. org Civic Action
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sexy on anything
Sexy car. Sexy shoes. Sexy hair. The word 'sexy' seems to be used in almost everything. And now even on foods.
On CBS News. com, there was a video "Sexy Foods to Get You in The Mood."Valentine's Day coming along, the video was about foods that stimulate sexual levels. Although the title was catchy, I was bored with the usage of sexy.
Nowadays especially entertainment media uses the word 'sexy' in anything. That's similar to Paris Hilton saying, "That's hot."
This phenomenon happens not only in America. Japanese girls often use the word 'cute' in whether a cell phone, bicycle or notebook.
Do we call chopsticks cute? Sure.
Do we call couches cute? Why not.
Do we even call toilet cute? Haven't heard of it. But I'm sure we'll say it to Hello Kitty toilet.
On CBS News. com, there was a video "Sexy Foods to Get You in The Mood."Valentine's Day coming along, the video was about foods that stimulate sexual levels. Although the title was catchy, I was bored with the usage of sexy.
Nowadays especially entertainment media uses the word 'sexy' in anything. That's similar to Paris Hilton saying, "That's hot."
This phenomenon happens not only in America. Japanese girls often use the word 'cute' in whether a cell phone, bicycle or notebook.
Do we call chopsticks cute? Sure.
Do we call couches cute? Why not.
Do we even call toilet cute? Haven't heard of it. But I'm sure we'll say it to Hello Kitty toilet.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Linn-Benton Loop Bus Schedule
If the bus is to serve students, there should be more convenient bus schedule.
In the beginning of the fall term, all the seats on the bus were taken that some students had to stand. Yet school was urging students to use transportation due to lack of parking lots. Then why the bus doesn't run frequently at least every half an hour. Beside,s it'll be much nicer for students who take night classes if the bus runs until 9 or 10 p.m.
Last term, I had a class that ended at 4:20 p.m. The latest bus came at 4:15 p.m., so I had to wait for the next bus scheduled at 5:50 p.m.
I couldn't appreciate the fact that I had to wait for more than an hour and a half, because I wanted to go home!
Also, to make it to 10 o'clock class, I need to take a bus at 8:35 a.m because it usually takes 20 minutes from Corvallis. Taking 9:40 a.m. bus will be late for class.
Worse yet, ever since I started taking Linn-Benton Loop, the bus never arrived school on time. At least in the early morning. It's late for 10 minutes the minimum and 20 minutes the maximum. Once it was 40 minutes late!
"The bus must be on time. The hours are messed up," said Emmanuel Bernal who rides the bus everyday.
"It's irritating when the bus is running late, because that means I'll be late for class."
Some students have been late for class for 35 minutes. Frustrated students left the bus stop to get a ride so that they could make it to class.
Students of night classes can't ride the because the last bus arrives at 5:50 p.m. The latest class ends around 9:30 p.m.
It's been hectic even for students who are dual-enrolled at OSU.
"Because of inflexible bus schedule, some students can't take the bus that fits their school schedule," said Aya Tabeya who had been dual-enrolled.
If the transportation is meant to be useful and helpful, it should be reviewed in order to provide a better service.
At a Glance
What: Bus schedule
Who: Linn-Benton Loop
Where: LBCC (Albany)-Corvallis
Why: There should be more buses running every half an hour.
Linn-Benton Loop
Linn-Benton Loop Bus Weekday Schedule
LBCC Transpotation Option
In the beginning of the fall term, all the seats on the bus were taken that some students had to stand. Yet school was urging students to use transportation due to lack of parking lots. Then why the bus doesn't run frequently at least every half an hour. Beside,s it'll be much nicer for students who take night classes if the bus runs until 9 or 10 p.m.
Last term, I had a class that ended at 4:20 p.m. The latest bus came at 4:15 p.m., so I had to wait for the next bus scheduled at 5:50 p.m.
I couldn't appreciate the fact that I had to wait for more than an hour and a half, because I wanted to go home!
Also, to make it to 10 o'clock class, I need to take a bus at 8:35 a.m because it usually takes 20 minutes from Corvallis. Taking 9:40 a.m. bus will be late for class.
Worse yet, ever since I started taking Linn-Benton Loop, the bus never arrived school on time. At least in the early morning. It's late for 10 minutes the minimum and 20 minutes the maximum. Once it was 40 minutes late!
"The bus must be on time. The hours are messed up," said Emmanuel Bernal who rides the bus everyday.
"It's irritating when the bus is running late, because that means I'll be late for class."
Some students have been late for class for 35 minutes. Frustrated students left the bus stop to get a ride so that they could make it to class.
Students of night classes can't ride the because the last bus arrives at 5:50 p.m. The latest class ends around 9:30 p.m.
It's been hectic even for students who are dual-enrolled at OSU.
"Because of inflexible bus schedule, some students can't take the bus that fits their school schedule," said Aya Tabeya who had been dual-enrolled.
If the transportation is meant to be useful and helpful, it should be reviewed in order to provide a better service.
At a Glance
What: Bus schedule
Who: Linn-Benton Loop
Where: LBCC (Albany)-Corvallis
Why: There should be more buses running every half an hour.
Linn-Benton Loop
Linn-Benton Loop Bus Weekday Schedule
LBCC Transpotation Option
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)