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The Online Magazine Article Writing Workshop®
For those who enjoy writing and do not want
to wait any longer to be published!
How well do you
know your grammar?
Grammar
refresher
book excerpt from
Writing for Publication
The Online Magazine Article Writing Workshop®
Guide and Video Transcript
By Deadline Communications
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This section is divided into two areas:
- Language
Arts Refresher: Punctuation, Grammar, Writing Mechanics
- Six
Steps for Successful Article Writing
Do not let misusing grammar decrease your chance of
getting an article published. So let's quickly examine some of the most
common punctuation, grammar, and writing mechanic errors. Remember,
however, the targeted magazine has the final say regarding any and all
writing style issues.
PUNCTUATION:
Comma Usage in a Series
Using commas properly to separate a series of three or more items
can be confusing. For instance, when we look at the sentence:
Downloading a new version of the Netscape browser includes: Choosing
the nearest FTP site, double clicking the selected link, saving the file
and unzipping it later.
Some style manuals suggest only adding a comma before the last
"and" if the two items are not related. This can be a
judgment call, however. How closely related is "saving the
file" to "unzipping it later." It would appear they
are, indeed, very much related since they both have to do with a
"file." If the relationship is not apparent then most style
books say to always include a comma before the last conjunction. Most
manuals agree to "not" use a comma at the end of a series if the
sentence continues past the conjunction as well as the item. For
example:
Downloading a new version of the Netscape browser includes: Choosing
the nearest FTP site, double clicking the selected link, saving the file
and unzipping it later when it's convenient. Note the absence of a
comma after "unzipping it later."
PUNCTUATION:
Possessive apostrophe use
Should an "s" be added to a proper name that already ends
in "s" when indicating possession? Yes, use another
"s." Surprisingly, however, do not add an "s" if
the individual's name sounds like it ends in a "z."
-- Thomas's book is correct -- Charles' book is also correct.
PUNCTUATION:
Ellipsis usage
An ellipsis indicates the absence of one or more words. In the
case of a quotation, three periods including one space before and after
serve to indicate something has been omitted within a sentence. When the
omission occurs at the sentence ending or beginning, four periods (three
ellipsis periods and the sentence period, or three ellipsis and one period
indicating the beginning of the next sentence are used).
GRAMMAR:
Singular or plural?
Example: company names
Remember when referring to a company or organization name, be
consistent in terms of singular or plural use. For instance:
Web Studios has paid for its last production.
It is now ready to distribute.
These sentences are correct. And so are these:
Web Studios has paid for their last production.
They are now ready to distribute.
The following sentences used collectively are incorrect because
"its" represents singular and "They" represents
plural.
Web Studios has paid for its last production.
They are now ready to distribute.
WRITING MECHANICS:
Sentence Endings
Try to avoid ending sentences in words like: to, be, is, from, as,
for. While these kind of sentences appear in many articles, it is
considered "substandard."
WRITING MECHANICS:
Capitalization and Directions
Only capitalize a direction if it represents a distinct region. For
example:
Business magazines typically say the South is a good place to do
business.
When giving directions, as in, "Head south..." do not
capitalize.
WRITING MECHANICS:
Numbers
Numbers used as the first word of a sentence, spell out.
Spell out numbers between zero and nine. Use figures for 10
and above.
WRITING MECHANICS:
Redundancies
At 1 a.m. in the morning she will go to bed.
Since we know 1 a.m. is the morning, it is not necessary to add the
word "morning" to this sentence. Also, avoid overusing a
particular word multiple times in the same sentence. Always vary word
usage, but be consistent in repeating certain words (i.e. name brands or
proper names).
WRITING MECHANICS:
Wrong Word Choice
accept vs. except
prospective vs. perspective
insure vs. ensure
affect vs. effect
These are a quick snippet of words frequently interchanged,
resulting in poor grammar. The best defense here is a good
dictionary. Do not rely too heavily on software grammar
checkers.
WRITING MECHANICS:
Avoid Jargon
If something does not make sense, by all means do not include it in
an article. A popular cliché says it best, "When in doubt, let
it out." Avoid wording that is over or under sophisticated for
the intended audience. Strive to make each sentence clear and
concise.
Six Steps for Successful
Article Writing
As discussed earlier the writing for publication process begins with
the targeted publication, except in rare circumstances, where an article
concept is so well focused and undoubtedly under-publicized that a good
magazine market can easily be determined. In either case, here are
six steps to help build as well as shape an article:
1. Identify an editorial need for any given magazine
that accepts freelance contributions by analyzing
its
last 12 to 18 issues.
2. Brainstorm by writing down a variety of different words
that may comprise key issues or points the story should
cover.
3. Conduct primary or secondary research.
4. Formulate an "introduction" or lead (unique angle).
5. Build the "body" of the story using text drawn from
research.
6. Conclude not always by reiterating the article's major
message, but perhaps adding a question to broaden a
sense
of discovery or encourage further investigation.
Consult magazine guidelines and references like: The New York Manual
of Style, Chicago Manual of Style, or Associated Press Style Book, to take
advantage of shaping the article's message for its intended audience, thus
increasing its chance of getting published.
No part of this book excerpt may
be used or reproduced in any form (except for Internet browsing purposes)
without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical reviews and articles.
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