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To: Alec Mouhibian
Please keep in mind that this essay covers many sub-topics under one general thesis. It cannot be made too much shorter -- let alone to two pages! -- without eliminating all but one mentioned issue.

Nonsense. Keep in mind something said by Mark Twain - "If I had more time, I would have written you a shorter letter." George Orwell also had choice words for overly wordy authors.

There are many important things that are each steps in their own. This isn't meant to be a column. Please read it accordingly, and with some time to dispose.

Then you have to break it up, present it as a series, with each installment hitting on one or two important points. Lead each installment with a brief summary of the ground you have previously covered, and provide links to your earlier works.

People aren't coming onto a forum such as this to read a novella - what most of us are looking for are clear and concise writings that neatly lay out an opinion and then support it with verifiable facts.

Finally, I would tell you to lay off the big words. You have an excellent vocabulary for an 18-year-old - you don't have to go so overboard in proving it to your readers. In fact, relying too much on large, uncommon words is one of the oldest tricks used to try and conceal a weak argument.

Other than all that, keep at it!

25 posted on 03/03/2003 6:38:39 PM PST by CFC__VRWC
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To: CFC__VRWC; packrat01; Alec Mouhibian
"Then you have to break it up, present it as a series, with each installment hitting on one or two important points. Lead each installment with a brief summary of the ground you have previously covered, and provide links to your earlier works."

Some sage advise is offered to you by CFC_, Alec.
Consider it.

As for much of the rest you've been told?
Pick what you want -- that which makes sense to/for you -- & disregard the rest.

But above all?
Don't stop thinking, don't stop writing. Ever.

To be good, really good?
You must practice, practice, paractice & then, as another poster suggested, "edit-edit-edit."

You'll come to understand that POV perfectly well one day, & then you'll tell another young aspiring would-be writer the very same thing.

But for now?
You're well on the right track to success.

...if you stick with it.

28 posted on 03/03/2003 7:06:11 PM PST by Landru
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