Dick's Thoughts 
about Writing   

1.  Writing, among other things, is an exercise in disciplined thinking.  If you can't think clearly, you can't write clearly. Writing sharpens thinking and vice versa. In short, think before you write. One thing for sure, good writers read a lot and think about what they read. Most certainly, if you don't read, you can't write.

2.  Be empathic. Try as hard as you can to take the reader into account. Perhaps then, a "this for a that", the reader may want to hear what you have to say.

2. Crisp and clean writing matters. 

• Nothing beats clear, concise, and  unambiguous writing.  
• Start by learning to write clear sentences. Long, convoluted, ambiguous, run-on sentences are a sure way to lose a reader and cost you grades in this course. In general, keep your sentences simple. It is possible to pack clear compact sentences with powerful ideas.
• Make sure each paragraph is carefully constructed around a single major point which, of course, could have many subparts as you buttress an argument or make a point. The paragraph is a single and most important "unit" of a paper. Each paragraph makes a point. Topical sentences are a synthesis of the single idea that paragraphs examine. A new paragraph  declares a new point (the next topical sentence) and then offers support for that point. When a paragraph wanders among numerous points or tries to argue a position without support, the reader often gives up following your argument. A reader may just "hang it up" and stop reading your paper altogether. Me too. I give you a C at the minimum and move on.
• Link paragraphs skillfully with effective transitions so paragraphs flow together, one important argument connected to another. 

3. Writing isn't easy; it's hard work. No way can you sit at your computer and type a paper.

4. A lack of coherence is not an easy  fix. An incoherent paper just doesn't flow. Arguments and points of view are hard to understand. The reader has to double back again and again in order to follow the gist of the argument. When you think you are finished and you give the paper a final read, but the paper just doesn't make sense, it's time for a major overhaul. Here's a corollary to the coherence problem: don't try to write a paper the night before it is due. Most good writing requires many drafts,  rewrites with a clear head takes lots of time.

5. Edit to eliminate all major grammatical, punctuation, spelling and syntax errors. Buy and use a style manual. Spell check can't correct bad righting (sic), but it sure helps.

6. Always have a clear framework on which to lay out your ideas. The task of your framework is to find your paper's "best structure." By "best structure" I mean the structure that best supports the argument that you intend to make. Lay out a design for what you want to say either before you begin or soon after you have something down. The structure should be obvious not just to you but to the reader. A stream of consciousness is not the way to write for persuasive,  business,  or any instrumental purpose, for that matter, anything. Aimless writing is a pain to read.

Here's a simple formula that is not very imaginative, but it works: tell the reader what you are going to do, how you plan to do it, and then do it. When you are done,  forcefully and succinctly, summarize what you have accomplished. There are many other less mundane ways to structure a paper, however. 

7. Worry over words.  If you are unsure of the meaning of a word, don't use it. Use figurative language only if you know how. Creative and imaginative written ideas are often a joy to read. Used incorrectly, they are misleading, or simply dumb.

8. Edit. Even the best writers edit their work many times. They then edit one last time, just to make sure they have it right. Studies  show the best way to learn to write is to rewrite. In the revision process, you improve both your reading skills and your analytical skills. Revision may mean more than just changing a word here and there. When you revise you may challenge your own ideas, thus deepening and strengthening your argument. You learn to find the weaknesses in your writing. You may even discover patterns of error or habits of organization that are undermining your writing.

9. Let the themes of your major arguments direct you. Begin by listening to your thesis. If it is well-written, it will tell you which way to go with your paper. But just because you understand your thesis, you can't assume others will as well. So try very hard to make the major overarching purpose of your writing as clear as possible.

10. Learn to enjoy writing. A well written document is a source of much joy.  satisfaction, and pride.

11. The Elements of Style  is a standard high school guide to style, and useful well beyond high school. It includes a number of specific rules, dozens of commonly misused words, and bundles of suggestions for improving your style. Be aware of Bartleby.  Other style manuals.