The only term I don't think is helpful is the hook, since it combines the inciting incident, which holds a structural place within every story, with the hook, a device used to capture the reader's attention in the first pages of a story. The inciting incident doesnotneed to occur in ...
1. Write In One Sitting Write the first draft of your story in as short a time as possible. If you’re writing a short story, try to write it in one sitting. If you’re writing a novel, try to write it in one season (three months). Don’t worry too much about detailed plotting...
A guide to writing clear, strong, and engaging essay introductions. Includes intro samples and tips for attention-getters.
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to i...
Come on. Dare to be that red poppy shining brightly in an ocean of grey content. Let your ideas sparkle, shimmer, sing, swing, swirl, shock, and sizzle. You’re the leader your readers are waiting for. Get ready to spark change. ...
Can they describe their subject in detail without turning it into a narrative or story? When I was teaching homeschool writing classes, this was a hard concept for my students to grasp. Even with careful guidelines, many still ended up focusing on what the person was doing instead of how...
writing. Expand the details. Select the most important parts. You only have five lines, so you need all meat and no fat. Decide how you want to end the poem. Like any great joke, the punchline is the key. Shock your audience. Get them leaning the wrong way and catch them off ...
writing about your interest in stand-up comedy would be a refreshing addition to your application. You should also feel free to use this topic to show what an important activity on your application really means to you. Keep in mind, however, that many schools will ask you to describe one ...
Writing Better Stories If we want to write better stories, we need to read the best fiction and figure out what makes it so excellent. When I’m absorbed in a book, I always try to keep one corner of my mind focused on what the writer is doing so brilliantly to keep my full attenti...
W: How do you describe your work? M: My work speaks to the five-year-olds in all of us that we become experienced when we grow up. We’re always five years old at heart. We all want to have fun. W: That’s a unique idea, which is why your art is so special. Thank you ve...