Requesting Critique of - Understand Writing Jargon and Learn How to Apply Effective Strategies

I am excited about this new community, Critique! Some time ago, I started writing a resource to support writers but never completed it because I didn't know if an audience would be receptive. It is my hope that readers in this new community can provide feedback. Is there an interest in this product? Any critique of the format and content of this article would be greatly appreciated. All comments will be thankfully accepted.

If there are positive responses, my goal would be to compile a completed document from A to Z with writing strategies that support writers.

Background

Twenty years ago, I published a writing teacher's resource titled, Strategies for Writing: An ASCD Action Tool. It sold thousands of copies and is now out of print. Since then, I have retired from teaching writing and write on Vocal Media.

Numerous articles I have written share strategies to support writers. My idea is to produce a product that not only defines writing vocabulary but offers specific strategies to improve writing. Think of it as a dictionary supported by lessons to help both beginning and veteran writers.

This product presents lessons taught to students of writing and makes the strategies accessible to all writers. Some of the articles will inspire writers while others may introduce ideas that are new and challenge the development of new skills.

Each entry includes the following four elements.

1. Vocabulary - The vocabulary words are presented in alphabetical order to provide organization and allow readers to easily search topics. Each word is written in title case, large bold print.

2. Synonyms - Writers often substitute different words for terms. This can cause confusion and limit accessibility as they learn and apply new techniques. Thus, synonyms are provided so terms can be quickly referenced.

3. Definition - Simple explanations for each term are bold. More details about each topic is accessible with a hyperlink.

4. Links to articles available on Vocal Media are provided. These articles include examples, practice activities, strategies, and sometimes samples from other authors.

____________________________________________________

Audience

Synonyms: listeners, readers, spectators, viewers

Definition: the group of people who interact with the writing

Hyperlink to Audience Awareness Should Guide Writing

This article explains how to identify the best audience and why it is important. Examples of how texts change based on who is reading the material are included. An activity demonstrates how the purpose of the writing dictates the audience. Questions are shared so writers can narrow and target the audiences or revise the writing so it is appropriate to the readers. And, it includes an explanation of why format changes depending upon the needs of the audience.

Brainstorming

Synonyms: inspiration, breakthrough, idea, prewriting, buzz session,

Definition: an uncensored list of ideas generated quickly; brainstorming allows writers to capture their thoughts and ideas on paper before drafting

Hyperlink Brainstorm to Capture the Bubbles of Thoughts Before They Float Away

Too often a writer will begin writing and become focused on the sentence construction, grammar and punctuation while the vibrant images, tantalizing concepts, bits of inspiration, and important points drift away. This article offers brainstorming activities that help writers preserve moments of inspiration and examples of how each strategy works.

Capitalization

Character

Synonyms: person, individual, persona,

Definition: the person in the writing that the events include. Sometimes characters can be inanimate objects that have been personified. Examples of flat and dynamic characters are provided to illustrate the differences.

Hyperlink to Character Development Adds Life to Writing

This article explains why it is essential a writer develops an intimate relationship with the character(s). It provides numerous questions for writers to ask themselves about their characters so they can become omniscient.

Cue

Synonyms: signal, prompt, indicator, reminder

Definition: a strategy to prompt or remind a writer of details from a past event or encourage creativity.

Hyperlink to Cueing Strategies to Prompt Ideas to learn about 5 different cueing strategies to explore what is known before creating the rough draft or to extract information from your memory after a draft is complete. Examples are supplied to illustrate the effectiveness of each strategy.

Lead

Synonyms: introduction, hook, launch, start, installation, opening, beginning

Definition: the introduction of a piece of writing.

Below are hyperlinks for two articles, one with specific strategies for fiction and another for nonfiction.

Hyperlink to 7 Strategies to Write the Perfect Lead with models of seven different leads for the same story to demonstrated how a writer can change the voice of a story by revision the introduction to produce a unique impact.

Hyperlink to How to Write Leads that Engage an Audience. This article though similar to the one above provides examples of different leads for nonfiction. It provides writers strategies that break the norms to capture readers' attentions and inform with style.

Questions to spark critique

The five entries shared provide a taste of the final product. I would appreciate responses to the following questions and suggestions that I may not have thought about.

* Does an alphabetical organization system work?

* Are the strategies in the article easy to follow?

* Is the information valuable to both beginning and veteran audiences?

Thanks for any support you can offer.