How to use adverbs effectively - Emphasis

How to use adverbs effectively How to use adverbs effectively Adverbs convey information about how things happen, as well as when, where and to what extent. As the name suggests, they modify verbs but they can also modify adjectives, other adverbs and whole sentences, writes Cathy Relf. For example, in the sentence I need to see you urgently, the adverb urgently tells us about the verb need. But in Recently, weve been incurring a lot of delays, the adverb recently tells us about the whole sentence. However, informative and descriptive though adverbs certainly are, you should still use them with thought and moderation like all language. We tend to use a lot of fairly meaningless adverbs in conversation, to emphasise certain points, create rhythm and elicit empathy from the listener. But good, clear writing is more about communicating your meaning efficiently than banging your point home and that means only using adverbs that add genuine, useful information. Whenever possible, show, dont tell. Some adverbs are used so frequently in speech that they have become little more than verbal tics, and these are the ones you should be particularly suspicious of if they turn up in your writing. Below are five such words, each of which you should sternly interrogate before deciding whether to grant it a place in your final draft. Interestingly Interestingly, many writers like to introduce facts with the word interestingly. Interestingly, its often followed by something that isnt. If you have an interesting observation to share, let it speak for itself. And if you have a dull but necessary fact to convey, dont try to pep it up by calling it interesting. Youll lose your readers trust, as well as their attention. Heres what happened when we asked a group of editors on Twitter how they felt about sentences beginning with interestingly. Warning: its not pretty. Use it: in speeches, to create a moment of suspense before delivering a genuinely interesting point. Dont use it: to add interest where there is none. Significantly Much like interestingly, the thing about significantly is that most truly significant things can speak for themselves. Pinpoint the reason that you know your fact is significant do you have a statistic, for example? If so, can you use that instead, and let the reader be the judge of its significance? Instead of UK tourists pay significantly less for petrol, why not UK tourists pay 8.6 per cent less for petrol? Sometimes, however, youll have expertise that your reader isnt privy to, meaning you may be able to see significance where they cant. In this case, you can use the word to signal that a particular piece of information youre conveying is significant, and then follow up on how, or why, in the next sentence. Youre basically telling your reader hold on to this bit; youll understand why in a minute. Used like this, significantly can be a useful tool for creating reader engagement. Also, its worth noting that in statistics, significant has a specific meaning, with the significance level being the amount of evidence required to indicate that a result did not happen by chance. Too often, however, significant is simply used to create persuasive, attention-grabbing sentences that gloss over an absence of evidence. For example, see this headline from the Daily Mail: Less than 6 hours sleep significantly increases risk of a stroke even if you are fit and healthy. The article gives no information about the size of the increased risk it could be one per cent higher or 100 per cent higher. The reader is left none the wiser regarding the level of significance, and the same is probably true of the writer. Use it: to highlight facts that the reader may not immediately realise are significant. Dont use it: as a substitute for real information, or to make something seem more important than it is. Obviously Before you use obviously or clearly, ask yourself three things: firstly, if its obvious to everyone, do you need to make the point at all? Take, for example, the introductory sentence to this article in The Hindu: Quite obviously, the Reserve Bank of India, while reviewing the credit policy the mid-quarter review is scheduled for later on June 18 would take note of the recent developments affecting the economy. Once you unpick the sentence, it is obvious that a bank would consider economic developments when reviewing its credit policy. But did they need to say so? After all, if its obvious, is it news? Secondly, if its not obvious to your readers, how are they going to feel? Foolish, perhaps or, worse, patronised. And, thirdly, are you using obviously to discourage questioning? (After all, who would argue with something that has been declared universally obvious?) If so, take a moment to think about why youre using such a defensive tactic. It may be that there are holes in your own argument. Use it: as little as possible. Dont use it: if its likely that the information will not be obvious to some readers. Actually Actually is a useful discourse marker in speech. We use it for emphasis, surprise, contrast or correction (we thought it would be a good move, but it was actually a mistake, no, I live in Hove, actually, he was actually trying to take all the credit himself). However, in writing, actually should be used sparingly. If youre someone who writes like a demon in first drafts, itll often end up in there because your writing tumbles out structured like speech. Its actually a great way to get a first draft on to paper, but when you go back to edit it and actually look at the contribution each word is making, thats the time to question whether theyre actually adding any value or clarity. In the sentence above, wed delete the first two actuallys, but keep the third, which subtly intensifies the action of adding value. Use it: when it adds a useful hint of contrast or surprise to the sentence. Dont use it: just because you would when speaking. Literally This is, without doubt, the adverb with the most enemies. There are whole social media accounts devoted to pointing out inappropriate uses of literally. See @literallypolice on Twitter and The Literally Tsar on Facebook, if you dont believe us. The problem with literally is that it has developed a colloquial meaning that is the opposite of its literal, or dictionary, meaning. Often, when people say literally, they mean its opposite, figuratively. The footballer Jamie Redknapp has a particular fondness for the colloquial usage of the word, according to this Guardian article (he had to cut back inside on to his left, because he literally hasnt got a right foot). Despite all this fuss, only the most pedantic person would interrupt you in the middle of a story to question whether you were literally shaking like a leaf or literally chomping at the bit. But readers are pickier than listeners, and sentences such as these seem more incongruous in black and white. So, just to be completely literal about it, here are the definitions from Collins: Literal: in exact accordance with or limited to the primary or explicit meaning of a word or text. Figurative: of the nature of, resembling, or involving a figure of speech; not literal; metaphorical. In short, if it didnt really, literally happen, dont use literally. Use it: to describe things that really happened. Dont use it: for metaphors or exaggerated expressions. Want more advice on getting the most out of your business writing? Read about our in-company High-impact business writing course. Or, if you want to train only one or two people, check out our open course sessions. Then give us a call on +44 (0)1273 732 888, email us or tweet us at @EmphasisWriting.

Writers Block 13 Strategies That Work - Freewrite Store

Writers Block 13 Strategies That Work - Freewrite Store With that in mind - here are 14 of our favorite tips for curing writer's block. We’ve all been there. The right words won’t come out, if any at all, and you don’t have a creative cell left in your brain - you’re ready to call it a day. Of course, I’m talking about the dreaded  writer’s block. Writer’s block can be stressful when you have writing tasks that need to get done. Writer’s block is a myth Gasp! It cannot be true. If writer’s block is a myth, then explain what I’m feeling right now? When you attack it from the root cause, you realize writer’s block stems from four underlying causes. These four underlying causes were detailed by  Jerry Jenkins, famed author of the  Left Behind  series.   The Four Root Causes Of Writer's Block Fear - Fear can be paralyzing. The thought that  you’re  not good enough and that your work won’t be accepted. Procrastination - Nobody’s better at putting of deadlines than writers.  Set  your deadlines in stone and keep your daily workload manageable. Perfectionism - Perfectionism  can  be a good trait during the editing process; however, it is not as valuable while  writing. Distractions - In today's day and age, it’s nearly impossible to avoid distractions. So what can you do about writer’s block? Now that you know the four root causes of writer’s block, you can take some  actionable  steps to eliminate it from your writing for good. If you’re anything like me, you could probably relate to all four of the root causes. As you read along, you’ll find that more than a few of these actionable tips apply to you. With that in mind - here are 14 of our favorite tips for curing writer's block. 1. Writing Prompts If you aren’t familiar with writing prompts, they are simply guided writing assignments designed to stimulate your imagination and get the creative juices flowing. Put simply, writing prompts get you writing.   It may not be the topic you originally set out to write about, but it may help you find your muse. If you’re stuck finding a topic to write about, or lost finding a fresh idea to attack the blank page, writing prompts may be a good habit to implement into your writing routine.   The right prompt can open up new ideas.  They can illuminate new  ways of looking at things you aren’t able to see on your own. You can find writing prompts a variety of ways. Many are  free online, you can  buy a book of them, or come up with them yourself. Write them down to use at a later time.  You can even have writing prompts sent to your inbox, with Writing Time Fridays! Join here to receive a great writing prompt emailed or texted to you on Friday at 12pm EST. This is a great way to carve out time for writing and get inspired. You can dedicate time for writing on Friday, like we do at Astrohaus, or you can wait and use the prompt over the weekend. Related:  Writing Habits to Jumpstart Your Creativity and Keep You Focused    2. Don’t Be a Perfectionist   Does this sound like you? You want everything to be perfect before you ever begin writing. Every pen stroke must be streaked with gold. You try to formulate the perfect passage in your head, but you never do, so you revert to underlying cause #2, procrastination.   Perfectionism will only hinder your good writing. I’ve written a number of blog posts over the years. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, nobody ever sees my first drafts. It sounds obvious, but nothing bad will come from writing words down. If you don’t like what you wrote, delete it. Leave the self-criticism for editing. 3. Stop Writing Sometimes,  It’s just not the right time to write. Your ideas may need a few more moments to formulate in your mind.   Surely, writing isn’t the only thing you ever do. You also need to eat, sleep, read, exercise, and interact with other people.   Even if writing is at the top of your to-do-list. Doing anything else, would be more beneficial than beating yourself up while staring at a blank page.   In a infamous  New Yorker  article, Ferris Jabr references overwhelming evidence that taking a walk can help you think through problems and be creative. Source: Elements of Walking Helps Us Think It’s ok to not always be writing, or thinking about your writing. 4. Change Your Writing  Medium Stuck in the mud? Try using Google Docs or Evernote instead of Word.  Put down the computer all together and try out your grandfather’s typewriter. What’s been most beneficial to me is freewriting in a journal or a piece of scrap paper. Any idea that comes to mind goes down on the paper. Often times, it doesn’t make any sense. 5. Eliminate Distractions This is one of the four core causes of writer’s block. In a world where we are faced with distractions left and  right, we no longer get to sit  in our log cabin in the woods and write in a quiet room. You have to take extra steps to create a distraction free environment in your mind.   5 Easy ways to eliminate distractions -  Turn off your cell phone- Unplug from the internet- Clean your desk- Let everyone know to leave you alone- Dim the light I’ve been using  Sprinter  by Astrohaus to focus on my writing. I even used it while writing this article.   6. Create A Schedule Every morning, I do two things. I wash my face, then I sit down at my desk and open my daily planner. I don’t check my phone, I don’t look at any emails, and I don’t talk to ANYONE. The second thing I do each morning is plan out my day. To paraphrase Jim Rohn, â€Å"If you don’t build a plan for your life, someone else will.†Ã‚   I plan my day down to the second, then I execute. It’s easy to say you†ll just get around to it, but taking the extra steps to plan out exactly when and for how long you’ll be writing, you’re that much more likely to do it.   Sometimes, you just have to put your head to the grindstone and write. If you’ve already done this before, then first address the root causes of writer’s block found above. If a pilot called his boss and said, â€Å"I have flyers block.† He would be laughed off the phone and probably told to hang up his wings. So, why do writers get to have writer’s block? 7. Find Some Inspiration Jack London once said, â€Å"You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.†Ã‚   Put bluntly, refusing to write until you feel inspired it futile - at best. As a professional writer, you can’t afford to wait several days to find your muse. The world isn’t waiting for you. Related: 25 writing tips from authors 8. Keep A Journal Journaling aids in fostering your creativity and helps develop ideas. Similar to freewriting or writing prompts, journaling literally opens a book of ideas. Turn your thoughts and feelings into words. What do you journal about? I like to journal about my goals and the things/people I’m thankful for  each day. As a part of my morning routine, I write down my goals  Ã‚  and three people I’m thankful for. It’s not uncommon for writer’s to keep journals with them at all times. Sometimes inspiration strikes at the most unlikely and inconvenient times. Bottle that muse, and save it for later. â€Å"Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea forever.† -  Will Self 9. Go Outside I don’t just mean writing outside, but turning off your writing brain completely..   Nature offers an immediate boost to your mental and physical well-being. Sometimes, you have to slow down to speed up. A few benefits of going outside are: - Relieve stress- Improve short-term memory- Eliminate fatigue- Improve focus- Decrease blood pressure Combined, all of these things can help get the creative juices flowing. Maybe while you’re outside, you’ll find your inspiration.   10. Change Your Writing Space If venturing outside isn’t enough, maybe you need to change your work setting. Rotating your workspaces can increase your productivity and open yourself up to new ideas. Try a coffee shop, a library, bookstore, a park, or just a different room. Cultivate multiple spaces around you that foster your creativity and productivity . 11. Use Freewrite Every element of the Freewrite is designed to help you find your flow state and stay there. It works perfectly indoors or out, online or offline. Double your hourly word count, meet deadlines on time, and write better content. The Freewrite allows writers like you to create drafts without being distracted by notifications or the infinite possibilities on the internet. When it’s time to write, you can just write. If you're interested, you can head over to  the Freewrite store to learn more. 12. Create A Routine Ok, so you’ve burned through the previous eleven suggestions. You found one that worked, but it didn’t work the second time. What now?   You have to create a routine. As I mentioned in tip #6, I follow a strict morning schedule to get myself aligned with the tasks of the day. After journaling and planning my day, I spend 30 minutes on personal development. Today, I learned about copywriting from the legend Gary Bencivenga. I improved my craft and found some inspiration to apply to my writing. Lastly, that brings us to the granddaddy of them all... 13. Start Writing   You’ve exhausted every option on this list and have nothing left. Here’s the foolproof way to cure your writer’s block.   It’s this simple. Just start writing. You already know this, but evidently, the things that are easy to do are also easy not to do. It starts with one word, then another.   Solution   Personally, how did I cure my writer’s block? The root cause of my writer’s block was perfectionism. I expected myself to churn at a Pulitzer worthy 2,000 word article in less than an hour. Only once I embraced my full inner creativity was I able to write to free myself from the never-ending stuckness of writer’s block. My only hope is that after reading this tips, you are able to address your underlying cause of why you’re stuck so you can ditch writer’s block forever! Carlton Clark loves to write about business, baseball, and popular culture. A writer, marketer, and entrepreneur. At the age of 14, he founded the media company  ballplayerplus.com. Currently, Carlton helps businesses share their stories through social media and blogging. When he’s not writing or creating content, Carlton coaches youth baseball at his local high school and plays guitar. You can find him online on Instagram @itscarltonclark, and on Twitter @carlton_mukasa