"Clarity of writing usually follows clarity of thought. So think what you want to say, then say it as simply as possible."
(Economist Style Guide; 11th edition, p.1)
Good writing is about much more than language: It is very much about good thinking. We are often not aware of this and tend to dive into writing too quickly – thinking that a few grammatical sentences will get us there. Soon we discover that this is not the case, and we find ourselves lost in a maze of our own making. We thought we knew what we wanted to say and how to say it, but it has come out all wrong. The result of this cart-before-the-horse-approach is often stress, confusion, and unhappiness – our own and our readers’ – and it can reinforce our negative feelings about writing and our own writing abilities.
Starting at the beginning
These are some of the negative feelings that people have frequently expressed to me about writing:
-
Lack of confidence
-
Aversion
-
Overwhelm and not feeling in control
-
Confusion, getting lost in their own ideas
These feelings often arise because there isn’t absolute clarity of purpose. So before we start on the piece of writing that you want to work with, I make you answer these three questions:
Taking a piece of writing that you want to work with, the first thing I do is make you answer these questions:
-
Why are you writing it?
-
Who will be reading it?
-
What impact do you want it to have?
Having a clear purpose makes you feel more in control and able to make effective decisions as you work.
How I guide you through your writing process:
big-picture planning | detailed planning | the paragraph | the sentence | navigation features | visual features | vocabulary | appropriate style | language | checking | final polishing
Planning: where the thinking happens
A common problem is that not enough time is spent on the planning part. But this is where you clarify your ideas. I work with you to do this and to develop your structure in the way that works best for you. it can be through visual tools like mind maps or spider diagrams, or verbal tools such as linear outlines. Planning is an iterative process that involves revisiting and refining – going back to your question and your writing objective. The more detailed your plan, the more effective your writing will be and the more you are likely to start actually enjoying writing!
Drafting: starting to write
Carefully building your piece with your selected material. Drafting is also an iterative process, where you keep going back to your question and your plan to check that the thread is emerging with clarity.
More drafting: perfecting the paragraph
The paragraph is the chief building block of writing, and how it is structured is extremely important. Well-connected paragraphs reflect a sound overall structure. A well-crafted paragraph, made up of clear, well-connected sentences, is usually a reflection of an effective, detailed plan.
Style and language
I work with you on vocabulary, language accuracy and developing the appropriate style.
I mentor professionals, academics, and post-graduate students working in these fields:
Economics and finance | Business science | Architecture and the built environment | Humanities | Sociology | Psychology | Comparative literature | Engineering | Science and technology | Medicine | Computer science | Artificial intelligence | Commerce | Law
