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by Jim LaBate, Writing Specialist<\/p>\n
When most people think of writing tools, they usually think of pen and paper or a computer. And, yes, these are the practical tools to record your thoughts, so others can read them. However, the even more useful tools of writing are the nine basic techniques you can use to express yourself.<\/p>\n
1. Narration<\/strong> is simply telling a story, and you use this technique every single day. During the school day, you tell your friends what you did the night before, and when you get home, you tell your family what you did that day at school. Each story, though, must have a point. A story without a point \u2013 a main idea or a thesis \u2013 is like an endless carnival ride, one that readers will want to abandon. If you\u2019re writing about Benedict Arnold and the Battle of Saratoga, for example, you will narrate all the key events in chronological order, the order in which they occurred.<\/p>\n 2. Description<\/strong> is simply showing your readers how a person, place, object, or idea looks, sounds, smells, feels, and, if appropriate, tastes. Normally, description is used along with narration to add color and excitement. When describing, you don\u2019t necessarily have to include details about all five senses, but you should at least go beyond the visual since that is what most writers focus on first. For instance, if you are writing about depression, your emphasis might be the utter emptiness and loneliness that some depressed people feel.<\/p>\n 3. Comparison and Contrast<\/strong> are used to point out the similarities and differences between two or more options. This is another technique you use often, especially when you spend your money. When buying a new winter coat, for example, you may visit various stores or look at numerous catalogs to find the coat that fits your preferences and your budget. Similarly, if you\u2019re writing about some of Stephen King\u2019s novels, you may have to compare and contrast them to make your point.<\/p>\n 4. Exemplification<\/strong> means using examples to back up a statement or an argument. When you suggest an idea in class or at work, for instance, someone might ask, \u201cWhat makes you think this will work?\u201d A typical response might be two or three examples of situations where you know your idea has succeeded. So, if you\u2019re arguing in your paper that Benedict Arnold was a great American hero at the Battle of Saratoga, you\u2019ll have to back up your argument with examples of his actions or exploits.<\/p>\n 5. Causation<\/strong> is the technique that allows you to explain the causes that precede and the effects that follow a certain event. This technique is used often in history classes when teachers ask you to write about the causes and\/or effects of major wars. Generally, in a short paper, you have to choose between causes or effects, but in a longer paper, you may have room to discuss both. In fact, you might actually use a timeline to demonstrate a whole chain of events surrounding the cornerstone of your paper. If you\u2019re writing about depression and teenagers, for example, you could explain the social, emotional, and physical causes and also explain the social, emotional, and physical symptoms if the problem goes undiagnosed and untreated.<\/p>\n 6. Classification and Division<\/strong> serve to bring organization and simplicity to a complex subject. You actually use these techniques at home when you divide your eating utensils in the silverware drawer, or when you classify your clothing items by inserting them in certain drawers. To visualize this technique, you might imagine your subject as a pizza pie that needs to be sliced into a certain amount of slices to match each of your categories. If you are writing about Stephen King, for example, you might explain that all of his novels fall into four distinct types.<\/p>\n 7. Process Analysis<\/strong> is usually referred to as \u201cHow To\u201d writing because the writer is attempting to teach the reader how to perform a certain task. However, process analysis also includes \u201cHow\u201d writing which explains how something happens; with \u201cHow\u201d writing, though, the writer doesn\u2019t expect the reader to imitate the process. Again, if you were writing about Stephen King, you might use King\u2019s non-fiction book entitled On Writing \u2013 A Memoir on the Craft to show how King became a best-selling author, but you wouldn\u2019t expect the reader to have that same success.<\/p>\n 8. Definition<\/strong> is an unusual technique because it cannot stand alone. You may start with a basic explanation of your subject, but, then, you would have to work with one or more of the other writing techniques to make your points. Thus, if you were writing about depression, you would have to define it first before you could explain the causes or effects. Another option might be to contrast depression with another ailment such as schizophrenia. You could even show how teenage depression is different from postpartum depression.<\/p>\n 9. Persuasion<\/strong> is another technique that cannot stand alone. When you write a persuasive paper, you\u2019re trying to convince your reader to believe as you do or to take a certain action. In fact, all advertising is persuasive as advertisers are urging you to buy their product or service. Thus, you can use narration to persuade \u2013 as Jesus did in His parables \u2013 or you can use causation to explain how a certain idea or plan will lead to a beneficial effect.<\/p>\n Will you write an entire term paper using only one of the first seven techniques? Probably not. Just as you need to combine definition and persuasion with other techniques, you will, most likely, write your paper with a combination platter. Thus, as you outline your paper, you might want to find ideas for all nine techniques. Then, you can choose one as the primary technique and one or two others as supplementary techniques. This brainstorming will help you choose the proper tools for the job of explaining your topic, and you should be able to write an excellent term paper.<\/p>\n To receive assistance from The Writing and Research Center, send an email to writinglearningcenter@hvcc.edu<\/a>, and one of the writing specialists will get back to you<\/em>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2020 \u00a9 by Jim LaBate at Hudson Valley Community College.<\/p>\n