[Issue 5] A Guide to Effective Forum Writing (TWG)

[Quarks 2,255]

The writing community in the Off Topic section has been growing dramatically in the last few months, either freelancing or in a writing club/ group. Not only that, but Reporter Applications have been permanently and Wiki Editors opened up recently. And so I am planning on making another guide on writing. And yes, there have been 3 other pieces on forum writing, two in off topic, the other in the Newspaper. Both of them came from future reporters…So let us see if I can add anything new.

 

Write where you skills lie:

This is the best place to start off, and also the most straightforward. Write what you can write for, don’t really deviate. If you can write good guides, go write guides, if you can write fantastic stories, go write them. I would advise against writing outside your comfort zone. I can tell you that from first hand experience. Between the short lived Corrosion series and my only attempt at comedy, which has disappeared into the depths of the forum, poof. Lesson, write what  you are good at, and maybe in time, learn other stuff. Or writing on something you don’t know about, which is why there will not be a guide to defending, maybe. You have been forewarned.

 

Content:

Without strong content, an article is worthless. If you were to write an article about why kittens are better the cats, and simply said kittens are cute, that is not great content. Same applies to Tanki. A relevant and interesting topic is necessary to gain attention. Keep in mind that an interesting article on a dull topic is better than an interesting topic that is dull. Also, on the topic of content, controversial articles are fine, so long as you have necessary facts to back them up. Finally, make sure that some humor is inserted into more serious articles. A little bit of humor can go a long way. Remember: you do not have to be an expert in that area, you just need to trick people into thinking that you do.

 

Formatting:

In school, you can write a block of text on how blood is a symbol in Macbeth and expect your teacher to read it because they are forced to. Le Forum is different, very different. Nobody has to read anything they don’t want to, and blocks of text can be intimidating to read, and they can simply go back and never read. Strong formatting can make a decent article much more appealing than a great article that looks like a block of text. Hitting enter between sections and different size text makes it much easier to read. Conversely, spacing too much can make reading harder, and makes people less likely to finish reading, so try to keep that in mind.

 

Pictures:

While the old adage goes “A picture is worth a thousand words” which might not be totally true, but a well placed picture can help an article immensely. Sometimes things can only be portrayed through pictures. Take @sonofchrysalis3’s In Depth series, he has a plenty of pictures to describe what he is saying. While uploading a lot of pictures is a pain, it can help a lot. I would like to mention that Pictures in a story might not be the best idea.

 

Know Thy Audience:

What is the point of writing an article on defending to a lot of attackers. Choose who you are writing to, and tailor it to them. If others read it great, but choose your audience. Tailor to them, for example, this article is tailored to the up and coming writers of the forum. The next hogree if you will. We just got meta there. Long story short, tailor your writing.

 

Show Passion:

This is admittedly a less tangible concept, but showing that you love to write does show. Some people, as I have seen, crank out "articles" often, and giving them very little forethought. They don't seem to show passion, and a knowledge of what you are talking about. Just showing that you love what you do, and that you put the time and effort into it, makes the read that much better. 

 

Join a Writing group/ Learn from the Pros:

I can not recommend these enough. A writing group, be it official or not, such as TWG, surrounds you with other talented writers, who are willing to give you honest feedback, so that you can be the best writer you can be. Also learn to listen to advice, as they want the best from you, so take them to it. A specific thanks to and for always editing me. And learn from the greats. Read the Newspaper. Read TWG if you consider us pros. And read from actual novels. Reading makes you a better writer. Well, not always for me, I still only pull 70s in English.

 

I guess that about sums it up. I did not really want to go into the ins and outs of writing, but how to make it better. It is necessary to be fluent in the writing language and have good grammar. Well, good luck, and write well.

 

Edited January 13, 2016 by Quarks

[canadian_tank 226]

Um...it's more like a tanki reporter association advertisement 

But cool

[Quarks 2,255]

Um...it's more like a tanki reporter association advertisement.

But cool.

No, not at all, it is a guide with specific audience in mind. It was based to help people, not advertise anything. And TPA is right here.

[BSG-62 512]

Didn't read it.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

Didn't read it.

Then why'd you reply? No-one cares if you read it or not. This could be one of the most useless replies I've ever seen. *facepalm* Edited January 13, 2016 by Marc

[dilsharox 2,395]

+1

[fordmustang12345 3,910]

Didn't read lol. (Troll post just ignore me)

[KillerGnat 3,135]

Then why'd you reply? No-one cares if you read it or not. This could be one of the most useless replies I've ever seen. *facepalm*

It's not the most useless. That goes to Danthekiller1's "didn't read" GIFs. He wastes five minutes getting the GIF, in which time he could've read the article.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

It's not the most useless. That goes to Danthekiller1's "didn't read" GIFs. He wastes five minutes getting the GIF, in which time he could've read the article.

LOL.

[Rayyan 3,415]

I believe they write off-topic discussion to be a reporter 0_0. If my logic is wrong please correct it.

 

And good article

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

While uploading a lot of pictures is a paint

Might want to correct that :lol:

[Quarks 2,255]

Might want to correct that :lol:

I saw that in the first draft, must have slipped by final edits.

[Zenyth 6,494]

It's not the most useless. That goes to Danthekiller1's "didn't read" GIFs. He wastes five minutes getting the GIF, in which time he could've read the article.

No he probably has the GIF permanently on his clipboard by now

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I like this article BTR.. doesn't feel repeated :)

[L.I.I3.3.I2.T.Y 820]

Nice.

Keep writing men! I'm looking forward to the next issue.

[max_unbeatable_GTO 84]

Nice article.

[Quarks 2,255]

Nice.

Keep writing men! I'm looking forward to the next issue.

 

 

Nice article.

Thanks guys.

[Hex 11,520]

Thanks for mentioning me, I will always be there for you. Be it an editing emergency or a date :ph34r:

Kidds, +1

[Quarks 2,255]

Thanks for mentioning me, I will always be there for you. Be it an editing emergency or a date :ph34r:

Kidds, +1

Don't worry going on a date any time soon, too much of a nerd, epitome of not a cool kid.

[Quarks 2,255]

Bumping 4 dayz