How to Validate Yourself as a Writer on the Internet
Posted: Friday, August 07, 2009
by Danny Davids
Deep down, each of us who posts articles on SearchWarp (or any other Internet article-submission site) is doing so for one reason: We want people to read our stuff--and like it.
For most of us, if we're writing fiction, we want people to think, "Wow! That was a great story! I need to read more of this person's writings!" When we post our commentary on a hot political topic, share our experiences with the latest technological developments, or share the latest research on a significant social issue, we hope readers will respond with something like, "This individual really knows what he/she is talking about!" It's the little warm fuzzy that keeps many of us submitting more articles.
Then there are the few who want to be read so badly they don't care what they write as long as people read it. It doesn't have to be coherent; it doesn't have to be logical; it doesn't have to have proper spelling, or grammar, or formatting. It doesn't even have to be true (and I'm not talking about short stories here). Evidently the author feels that as long as there are numerous words in either uppercase or boldface, lots of exclamation points, and plenty of sensationalist content, it will get attention and therefore be read.
...well, at least at first. But a regular reader will only need to peruse through a few articles in this vein before thinking, "Okay, same song, different verse. I need something substantial," and move on. This is bad for the author--"I don't want to read this person's junk." This can also be detrimental for the Web site--"If this author is representative of everyone who submits articles here, I need to go to another site to find something better."
As authors on SearchWarp, we want to represent both our writings and SearchWarp in a positive and professional way. The more professional your articles are, the more likely people who read them will want to come back and read your future submissions. So what can you do to improve your articles and show your readership that you truly are a good author?
Proofread your article. You've heard it a million times, but only because it's so important. Spelling and grammar really do matter. Yes, it's a pain; do it anyway because it really is that crucial. Enough on that.
Make your writing style match your content. If you're writing a short story, or sharing a personal experience, write the way you speak, but still check your spelling and grammar. When writing about something more technical, use the appropriate buzz-words, but include definitions for those who aren't in the know. Current events and political and social issues will require a more concise style, particularly if your article is debating one side or the other. And there's the perfect lead-in to my next recommendation...
Differentiate between fact and opinion. Authors are expected to share their feelings about their topics, and it comes through in their writing. However, don't make the mistake of conveying personal opinion as fact, particularly when discussing those hot-button issues that fire our passions. You may believe with all your heart that wearing orange socks prolongs your life and health, but without the facts to back it up, all you can really say is "I believe with all my heart that..." And if you think you can outright lie and get away with it...well, talk to Dan Rather about that one.
Present information on both sides of the discussion. Be honest enough with your readers to acknowledge that there are differing views concerning your topic. Don't be afraid to share a few of them. An intelligent reader will appreciate that you are confident enough in your position to share opposing viewpoints, especially if you have factual information to accompany them that validates your side. A word of caution here: Don't stretch the truth to make your point. Readers see through straw-man arguments more than you might believe, and it destroys your credibility.
Don't berate the other team. Watch any debate on any news show on television. When do your sympathies change sides? When the debater realizes he's losing and begins attacking his opponent. When somebody feels it's more important to point out how stupid the other side is, I'm guessing their facts aren't strong enough to bolster their position. (Opinion: If politicians spent as much time researching the bills they vote on as they do badmouthing their opponents, I think our country would be a whole heck of a lot better off.) Name-calling takes the focus off the issue and puts it on the individual. A good writer should always concentrate on the topic at hand.
Writing as though you're on staff at the "National Enquirer" may gain you a few readers initially, but eventually people tire of sensationalist articles. If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, you have to improve your writing style. Watching what you write and how you write it benefits you, your reader, and SearchWarp. Everybody wins. And you can't get much better than that.
For most of us, if we're writing fiction, we want people to think, "Wow! That was a great story! I need to read more of this person's writings!" When we post our commentary on a hot political topic, share our experiences with the latest technological developments, or share the latest research on a significant social issue, we hope readers will respond with something like, "This individual really knows what he/she is talking about!" It's the little warm fuzzy that keeps many of us submitting more articles.
...well, at least at first. But a regular reader will only need to peruse through a few articles in this vein before thinking, "Okay, same song, different verse. I need something substantial," and move on. This is bad for the author--"I don't want to read this person's junk." This can also be detrimental for the Web site--"If this author is representative of everyone who submits articles here, I need to go to another site to find something better."
As authors on SearchWarp, we want to represent both our writings and SearchWarp in a positive and professional way. The more professional your articles are, the more likely people who read them will want to come back and read your future submissions. So what can you do to improve your articles and show your readership that you truly are a good author?
Proofread your article. You've heard it a million times, but only because it's so important. Spelling and grammar really do matter. Yes, it's a pain; do it anyway because it really is that crucial. Enough on that.
Make your writing style match your content. If you're writing a short story, or sharing a personal experience, write the way you speak, but still check your spelling and grammar. When writing about something more technical, use the appropriate buzz-words, but include definitions for those who aren't in the know. Current events and political and social issues will require a more concise style, particularly if your article is debating one side or the other. And there's the perfect lead-in to my next recommendation...
Differentiate between fact and opinion. Authors are expected to share their feelings about their topics, and it comes through in their writing. However, don't make the mistake of conveying personal opinion as fact, particularly when discussing those hot-button issues that fire our passions. You may believe with all your heart that wearing orange socks prolongs your life and health, but without the facts to back it up, all you can really say is "I believe with all my heart that..." And if you think you can outright lie and get away with it...well, talk to Dan Rather about that one.
Present information on both sides of the discussion. Be honest enough with your readers to acknowledge that there are differing views concerning your topic. Don't be afraid to share a few of them. An intelligent reader will appreciate that you are confident enough in your position to share opposing viewpoints, especially if you have factual information to accompany them that validates your side. A word of caution here: Don't stretch the truth to make your point. Readers see through straw-man arguments more than you might believe, and it destroys your credibility.
Don't berate the other team. Watch any debate on any news show on television. When do your sympathies change sides? When the debater realizes he's losing and begins attacking his opponent. When somebody feels it's more important to point out how stupid the other side is, I'm guessing their facts aren't strong enough to bolster their position. (Opinion: If politicians spent as much time researching the bills they vote on as they do badmouthing their opponents, I think our country would be a whole heck of a lot better off.) Name-calling takes the focus off the issue and puts it on the individual. A good writer should always concentrate on the topic at hand.
Writing as though you're on staff at the "National Enquirer" may gain you a few readers initially, but eventually people tire of sensationalist articles. If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, you have to improve your writing style. Watching what you write and how you write it benefits you, your reader, and SearchWarp. Everybody wins. And you can't get much better than that.
This Article has been viewed 2,790 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)hi danny,excellent from beginning to end.and very true.my best regards,sueThanks for your kind words, Sue.
Hi Danny, excellent advice. I agree 100%I appreciate the help I get from other writers, and I try to pass on what I have learned to others. I think critiques help us improve our skills and help us try new things. Thanks again and many blessings to you! TeresaWell, we should be helping each other out here on SearchWarp, at least. Thanks for the comments, Teresa!
Great article. Well done.It is effectively brand you. People work on association: they will associate you with good work, bad word. They will also associate you with the type of article you write. I.e you write lots of tech articles, Jeff writes inspiration articles and Joel H writes about politics. Though you write about other things they will work on the majority. One good article does not make up for 50 bad ones.And conversely, Connor, one bad article can negate 50 good ones. Well, maybe not 50. But you get the idea. Thanks for your comments.
Hi Danny.Everyday is a learning experience and today, I learned so much from you. Thank you for being so generous of your time and for sharing your knowledge. What you are doing, to me, is priceless.With warm regards,NenitaNenita, you make it sound like a MasterCard commercial! LOL! Thanks for your kind words.
Danny, thanks very much for these common sense values that are so hard for us to think of sometimes. WHY? I guess we become too personal?Thanks for the professional tips.Clarence, it's understandable. These are our creations, our babies, and we sometimes get very offended when people start hacking them up in front of our eyes. Fortunately, modifying an article is like helping a child to grow. Thanks for your comments.
I agree with you Danny, you've given excellent advice. I think everyone knows how to use spell check, they just have to take the time to use it! Having said that, as much as I prefer to read grammatically correct and well formatted articles, I can look past those kinds of errors if the content is there. Not everyone on SearchWarp is a 'professional' writer. I appreciate how difficult it is for new writers to open themselves up to tell their stories and put them out there for all to see. Hopefully, over time, with continued writing and reading quality articles on SearchWarp, the writing will only continue to get better! Great article!Brianna, I'm not a professional writer either; I'd put someone like Mike Fak in that category. Still, we always want to put our very best foot forward in our commentaries. I hate dressing up; but if wearing a tie to an interview gets me the job, I'll do it! (I'll grumble all the way there and all the way back, but that's another story.)
Danny~Bravo, Sir! Well spoken. Nothing drives me more nutso than to read pieces that have incorrect spellings, grammar and/or punctuation. Sometimes I wonder just what in the world people are thinking! This is a terrific article for those who may not be aware of just how much impact they have on the rest. One more thing (because I just couldn't resist!)...right after your paragraph on "proofreading", you made a little "oops"...."but still check you spelling and grammar"Had to giggle when I saw it. Just FYI (please don't be offended that I point this out in this long-winded missive!)Hope your sense of humor is intact~Camille, this just goes to show that counting on your computer's spellchecker and grammar programs to find all your errors won't always work. You always want to eyeball your article to make sure everything is correct. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go fix an error in my article... :)
Camille, you beat me to it - and this just shows how tough it is to proof read - Danny, great advice ! Couldn't agree more. reader from the EastEast, this also goes to show how observant the SearchWarp readers are. I'm going to have to work a little harder to practice what I preach, eh? :)
Thank you, I enjoyed your article. A big problem I notice is that some confuse their own political opinion with fact. I see it often and I get surprised how blind some people are when it comes to politics. Emotion blinds some. I turn those authors off. I don't want to read someones words if they themselves do not realize their opinion is being portrayed as fact. The way you explain how to handle hot topic items etc is sound advice indeed.Steve, it's that passion. It can be good; it can be bad. We all have to learn how to temper our passions and still be able to convey our feelings in a way that won't turn our readers off. Thanks for your comments.
Hi Danny:Wonderful article. I couldn't agree more. Correct grammar, punctuation, and formatting goes a long way in establishing a professional image. I'm so convinced of this and see the need that I'm working on a proofreading website.Thanks for the great article.RegardsRhonda TardifCool, Rhonda! You'll have to share that site with the rest of us. It never hurts to have another tool in our "writing belts" to use.
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