Essay Suggestions

My blog administrator had two great quotes on her email:

A best friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

A ship in harbor is safe - but that is not what ships are for. - John Shedd

Try writing an opinion essay using the 5-paragraph outline (Topic paragraph introduces the major points and tempts the reader to read on, Final paragraph summarizes what has been said and puts a bow around the essay for the reader, and the three middle paragraphs describe your major points, one by one). Send me your results and I'll post them here.

Looking for Writing Help?

Here are some ideas if you would like to study Creative Writing further:

1. Check out the Institute for Excellence in Writing website ( www.excellenceinwriting.com). Andrew Pudewa has assembled an amazing array of materials to continue your training. Note especially his writing with history and his Timed Essay writing materials.

2. Check out Logos School materials and the work of Matt Whitling, (www.logospressonline.com). "Imitation in Writing" gives the students opportunities to write about a variety of subject areas. Whitling's work is also highly recommended.

Education Success

Self-Discipline is twice as strong an indicator of student success as intelligence.

Asking Questions

One of the best ways to improve your writing is to learn to ask good questions. Whether fiction or non-fiction, there is always one more question to ask. By asking questions, opinion essays are better argued. You have anticipated the questions of your readers. When you write a research paper, you can anticipate the questions a reader or teacher might have about your topic. When you write a story, questions can fill your narrative with interesting characters, surprising direction, and detailed settings. The best writers are the ones who learn to ask one more question when everyone else is satisfied.

Two Elements in Writing

There are two elements in writing well. First, you want to make sure you write clearly. What good would it do to write something if it did not communicate to your reader what you intended to communicate? Second, write creatively. You have excellent ideas that must be shared with the world. Make sure you say them clearly, then try to say them with such passion that the reader must take up your ideas.
To write clearly is a matter of structure. Are your ideas being presented in a logical manner? Can the reader follow your reasoning easily? Don't cause a quizzical expression on his face. Read through your work until every sentence clearly states what you want it to.
To write creatively is a matter of style. Are you writing in a manner appropriate for your audience? Will the rhythm of your sentences bore your reader or underscore your passion? Mix it up. Begin sentences in different ways. Add adjectival and adverbial clauses. Don't let the reader lose interest.
Good writers have an ability to balance both elements. Readers know clearly what the author is saying, but are pleasantly surprised by the way the arguments are presented. The reader knows where the writer is taking him and he enjoys the trip.