Category Archives: Writing tools (non-fiction)
Changes to the MLA documentation system
The online writing lab at Purdue University summarizes the most important changes this way: No More Underlining! Underlining is no more. MLA now recommends italicizing titles of independently published works (books, periodicals, films, etc). No More URLs! While website entries … Continue reading
Online mind mapping
If you brainstorm by mind mapping consider bubbl.us. It’s free, something you can try without downloading, and fairly intuitive.
GASCAP
There are at least six ways of effectively linking evidence and claims. Richard Fulkerson’s Teaching the Argument in Writinghas a chapter devoted to them. They are argument for a Generalization, from Analogy and Sign, Causal arguments, and arguments from Authority … Continue reading
Concession in the wild
From Atul Gawande’s compelling essay “Hellhole” in the 30 March 09 New Yorker: The main argument for using long-term isolation in prisons is that it provides discipline and prevents violence. When inmates refuse to follow the rules—when they escape, deal … Continue reading
Annotated bibliographies and rhetorical strategies
Consider these three examples of how the first sentences of an annotated bibliography can address a source’s use of rhetorical strategies: Crucial to Spunk & Bite’s persuasiveness is Plotnik’s ethos as a friendly iconoclast, which he begins to establish with … Continue reading
IVY LEAGUE REVISION
If you know the source of these links and this commentary, please let me know so I can offer proper attribution. Harvard’s set of revision tips: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/Revising.html An original <moderately amusing> contribution from Harvard: the “Backward Outline.” Check it out. … Continue reading
The oral electric notebook
Many creative writers keep notebooks for recording ideas about future and current projects. I’ve found myself using voice mail in a similar way. When I have an idea at 2:00 a.m., rather than searching for my notebook, I try to … Continue reading
Metaphor by Metaphor 