Good writing requires a lot of focused reading and writing. Oh, how many times I've uttered that truth on this blog over the past 18 years! One of the problems with many developing writers (others include a lack of patience, perseverance, and practice) is self-orientation. What should they read? How can they put what they read into practice? How do they know they are improving? These are great questions to ask, but I doubt many of these writers even ask them.
With that thought in mind, WORDS ON THE LINE will offer easy-to-read resources over the next several posts from reliable sources, such as universities and government institutions, and corporations, describing positive writing habits and practices. The first of these is Habits of Effective Writers, a two-page cheat sheet from Hamilton College. The seven habits of effective writing and ten common errors are credible starting points to start reflecting on whether you are employing those habits and avoiding those errors. Be sure to click the link at the bottom of each page for a deeper dive into each issue.
