How to write compelling stories
Effective, interesting writing is tough, and there is almost always room for improvement.
Here are six tips from Barbara Chovanec, who has written and edited CMU's stories since 1997.
Be accurate
Get the facts straight and your spelling correct. Double check every date, time, fact, dollar amount and number.
Be clear
Avoid jargon, unfamiliar acronyms and cliches. Use words your readers know, so they glide right through the story without getting hung up.
Unclear: CMU 2010 initiatives are measured by priority leaders against KPIs that determine the extent to which the priorities cut the mustard.
Clearer: Leaders of the CMU 2010 initiatives use key performance indicators to evaluate successes.
Be brief
Write to express, not to impress. Look at the length of your piece. If shorter would be better, cut out unnecessary words. Don't write a long piece just for the sake of filling space.
Be vivid
Use lively verbs in your descriptions, and paint pictures with your words. It's better to show than tell. But don't go overboard with flowery descriptions. Choose your words carefully.
Instead of: The reptile specimens are tightly stored in the department's small space.
Try this: Jars of preserved snakes and lizards crowd every corner and cubbyhole in the room the size of a coat closet.
Be attentive
Check verb tense and noun-verb agreement. Don't capitalize words that aren't proper nouns. Choose active voice over passive voice.
Active voice: The professor handed out the tests.
Passive voice: The tests were handed out by the professor.
Be relevant
Ask yourself "What's the point?" and be sure you're making that point. Help your readers understand why they should care.