Good practical writing is short and to the point; it delivers a satisfying message using fresh language.

Skillful writers of internet articles strive for preciseness and clarity, qualities that online readers look for. Writing poetry is an enjoyable way to develop your skills in this style of writing. Making up funny rhymes for children and composing limericks are ideal ways for you to learn to say, in very few words, all that needs saying.

You learn to present your ideas briefly and to structure your sentences for effect. This type of poetry teaches you how to make each word pay its own way. Move the message or move over! Give value or get out! Using this approach, you teach yourself how to tighten up your writing.

Carrying this over into your article writing, ask yourself: "Is this sentence necessary? Does it say only what needs to be said? Can I say it in fewer words? No? OK, then how about shorter words?" Every word in any piece of writing should have to earn its spot.

Next, how does your copy sound? If it sounds wrong, your message suffers. When most people read, they "play" the words inside their heads. Some do it more consciously than others, but all of us are swayed by the way words sound. Otherwise, why does everyone sing, no matter how poorly? The vitality of poetry is in its sounds. But vitality in articles? Well, is that not the point? Forgettable phrases don't convince.

Listen to the rhythm and alliteration of this great movie and song title: "The Way We Were". It is perfection; it instinctively sounds right! Any effort to improve it could only diminish its beauty. If ever you are so lucky as to coin such a perfect phrase, then (re)arrange your whole sentence, your paragraph, even your entire article, to accommodate it.

Find your rhythm, in this case: da-DUM, da-DUM ... the-WAY we-WERE. This iambic meter is the most familiar to English speakers because: we-TALK like-THAT. Although no one normally speaks so stiffly, we all recognize that reassuring rhythm. There are other common meters, or rhythms, that you might prefer.

Over-doing this effect in prose would be lethal, of course, but rhythm is something to keep in mind as you shape your sentences and plot out your paragraphs.

A brief article, pleasingly written, appeals to your reader while it enlightens him. Sort of like poetry?

Steve Williams
www.writing4seniors.org