Articles Archives

AUG 2, 2004

THE LESSONWriting well

A GREAT way to improve your writing is to learn from other writers. The comments below suggest ways you can employ some of the techniques used by the author of this piece in your own writing.

Although this week's piece is a short story, many of the techniques used in this genre can be applied to other forms of prose writing.

Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen, the author of this story, is only 15 years old, but she shows a mastery of many techniques of good writing. Congratulations to Amanda! I hope that her success inspires her to keep writing.

This week's writing tips:

LET YOUR READER FIGURE SOME THINGS OUT FOR HIMSELF

OFTEN, the best way to portray something - a situation, a person, a scene, whatever - is to describe it simply and let the reader draw his own conclusions about the implications.

In the opening paragraph, Amanda does not describe Bee Choo's mother directly. Rather, she describes her reaction to the situation in which she finds herself.

The fact that Bee Choo's mother is afraid to touch the leather seat of her daughter's car tells us more about the relationship between mother and daughter than could many words of description.

USE DETAILS EFFECTIVELY

IT IS often the seemingly trivial details that convey the greatest meaning. Amanda makes good use of details to convey her meaning. Some examples:

'the magenta convertible' (Para 1). Magenta is a vivid purplish red. This flamboyant colour helps to show Bee Choo's concern with material possessions and appearances.

'... was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her calloused fingers' (Para 2).
The material of the car seats, patent leather, is contrasted with the calloused fingers of Bee Choo's mother. This emphasises that Bee Choo cares more about material things than about her mother.

'The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune...' (Para 12)

The phrase 'artificially cheerful' emphasises the sterility of Bee Choo's life. Her happiness comes not from people but from things. Invalid extra lead parameter

USE IMAGERY WHEN APPROPRIATE
IMAGERY can add interest to your writing. Look at these images and consider how they add depth of meaning to what is being described.

Consider using some images in your writing. Use them with caution, however, because imagery is a difficult technique to use well.

'kidnapped by the wind' (Para 1)

'the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots' (Para 37)

'All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her, and leave her an empty soulless shell at the altar.' (Para 45)

'...ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sow the seeds of happiness.' (Para 48)

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posted by Marcus Ang @ 8:53 AM