Get a Crash Course in Writing from 2. Journalists. I only remember one practical writing lesson from my three years as an English major Whenever you can, put the best bits at the end of the sentence. Put the next best bits at the beginning, and put the rest in the middle. This trick works in every kind of writing, and I wish Id spent my college years learning more tricks like it, instead of pretending to read The Brothers Karamazov. Writing is one of the easiest skills to learn without paying college tuition. You could get a pretty solid start just from this collection of writing advice from twenty prominent journalists. Metafilter user notthewater gathered the advice from articles, online courses, podcasts, live talks, and a drinking game. Some highlights The Orchid Thief author Susan Orlean on finding story ideas The percentage of ideas you pursue, vs. In fact, its great to practice following an idea and saying, Not gonna work. Pulitzer winner Anne Hull on writing about a culture as an outsider Be conscious of the distancing language that inhabits most newspaper stories. Set a goal for intimacy. As a reporter, be physically present to witness and absorb, if even for three hours. The Girl in the Window writer Lane De. Gregory on finding secret editors Finding people you admire, whether writers or editors or not, is important, especially if you dont trust or respect the person who was assigned to you. Suspense Thriller Movies Tarzan & Jane here. New Yorker Talk of the Town contributor Lillian Ross on expressing opinions Your point of view should be implicit in your choice of facts and quotes in your report. If you have anything to say, about the world, about life, look for a way to say it without making a speech. Slouching Towards Bethlehem author Joan Didion on editing as you go along When I finish work at the end of the day, I go over the page that Ive done that day, and I mark it up. And then I make the corrections in the morning, which gives me a way to start the day. Criminal justice reporter Beth Schwartzapfel on anecdotes in dry factual stories I think of them as raisins in oatmeal, or the signs people hold on the sidelines of a marathon. Theyre little surprises or jolts of pleasure to remind people of what theyre reading and why it matters. Certain themes run throughout Narratives need character and tension. Collect story ideas everywhere and keep a file. Get your subjects comfortable around you and let yourself into their lives. Divx Ipod Strawberry Shortcake: Play Day Surprise ' title='Divx Ipod Strawberry Shortcake: Play Day Surprise ' />I only remember one practical writing lesson from my three years as an English major Whenever you can, put the best bits at the end of the sentence. Put the next. Inside Social. The biggest and latest apps and platforms, plus trends and insights on the biggest online discussions. Watch All DramaMovie Directory with english subbed subtitles. The 3638323 to 1605548 a 1450464 of 14434154 in 1270284 on 508384 that 503295 is 492114 said 487849 with 423779 at 408185. I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. I loafe and invite my soul. Your favorite technology company, Google, is working on an upcoming feature that could put the kibosh on autoplaying videos for good. Soon youll be able to silence. Find the interesting details that can double as iconic examples. Write like youre telling the story to a friend. While the advice is especially targeted at journalists, just like that old sentence structure trick, it applies to all kinds of writing. And unlike my English major, its free. My debut novel, The Biographies of Ordinary People Volume 1 1. May 2. 3, 2. 01. 7.