Novel writing tips:
what tense should I use?
Novel writing tips: Learn when and where to use the first-person third-person tense in non-fiction articles. Found here will be tips on drawing your reader in, and including them in the article
How can I write well without using the first person pronoun?
- There are many ways to make your article appeal to the reader without using first person. Using you or we is one example.
- A good way to do this is to think in the third person frame of mind. First of all, refer to yourself in the article as "we" helps. Just replace I with we. It is amazing how a simple switch of pronouns comes off so clean and professional. Observe this comparison:
- I always am looking for brand new ways to make my articles better.
- We writers are always looking for brand new ways to make our articles.
*Notice that the latter sentence just sounds cleaner and crisper- much more professional!
Can I use first person in some cases?
- Yes, you can use this technique when you ask questions that the reader would
probably ask. There is a good example of questions and answers right here in this
article.
NOTE: Try to use first person pronouns very sparingly. - Try to use passive voice sparingly. Many writers feel that it can add the right flow to the sentence structure at times. Just don't overdo it.
- Avoid the use of boorish testimonial writing in non-fiction.
- Use Action verbs whenever possible.
How can I write non-fiction without sounding preachy?
This is the entire point of writing in the right tense. Keep in mind that it can also be the difficult part too.
- Some authors of non-fiction pieces use "we" for that very reason. This makes the reader feel like part of a team.
- By using you or we instead of I you are also making this experience more real to your reader.
What is another way to use the first tense in my article?
- Try to ask questions that your reader may also be having, like you see here in this non-fiction piece. Many writers often start off with a question or a bold statement, provoking the reader to think about the subject of the article.
- When you begin with a question, it is good to mention that you hope your article answered all of the reader's questions near the end of the article. Often you can give additional options for more information like libraries online, books, ETC.
What should I check for when proofreading my article?
- Of course, check for the use of first person passages.
- As always, look for spelling and punctuation errors.
- Also look to see if you used third person effectively.
- Read the article as if it were not your own.
I hope that by reading this article many of your questions were answered and that you are now able to write effectively by using the first and third person tenses.
If you need additional help with your writing, many writers find the use of Internet search engines and their local libraries very helpful. Also trade magazines and papers aimed at writers are a great place for learning new writing tips. When you search, look for writing tips or advice. Good luck with your next article.
© 2002 Pagewise