Turn The Negatives Into Positives When Writing For Epinions
Mar 27 '00 (Updated Apr 18 '01)
The Bottom Line Take the time and make the effort to submit your best work! :o)
I am not one to dwell on the negatives, so I thought I would approach this topic of "What NOT to do when writing a review" from a turn-around, positive point of view. After all, if I am doing something wrong or incorrectly, I would sure rather have someone tell me how to change for the better, then to just pick apart my efforts in a "brutally honest" sort of way.
Some writers out there on epinions have no desire to improve, develop, or help the community. We have all seen their articles. We can see through their schemes and scams. This article is not for those writers. If they truely want to change, then by all means, let them join the crowd. The power to change lay in how their fingers hit the keys to put their words out for all to see.
An area that could be improved upon is in the depth of the review submitted. You may have a great title that catches my eye, and when I start to read I am often disappointed by the shortness of it all. I have read articles written with obvious enthusiastic zest for the topic reviewed, but all that excitement stops short.
Try to ignore that 100 word minimum rule and give us more! I often am left with questions on the very short reviews; tell us how it made you feel, how much it cost, where you can get a good deal on it. Tell us what it is all about, make us see it through your words. Let us know when it works the best, who might like it the most. Get all those feelings out about why YOU like it, or don't like it. Be persuasive. Write more. Bring that excitement in your first few sentences to life.
Write about what you know or have experienced. Even if you do not have direct experience with your topic, you may still be affected by it's affect on a friend or family member. When you try to write about a product or topic you have had no experience with, your writing is often choppy, with limited depth and expression. Products or topics may bring back memories of something from years ago---write about those feelings and thoughts. You own those opinions no matter how old they may be; Those thoughts are much more interesting than a dry description.
It may be ok to quote an author (with permission hopefully) or to discuss parts of another's opinion as part of your own discussion. It is not ok to take what another has written and sign your name to it. You will get much further giving credit where it is due, and doing it with style, then with trying to pass off another's ideas as your own brilliant ones. You do have something to say---it is just a matter of getting those thoughts out in an organized fashion.
Instead of using foul or obscene language, impress us with other descriptive words that tell us you are a well-educated person with good social skills. There is enough bad language, mean careless people and crime in the world today--we really do not want it here as well. If you really want to read stories with coarse language and talk of sexual acts "for fun and profit" then maybe you could try another site that will not only cater to your needs, but may recruit you as well.
Try to post the article you write under the most appropriate heading. I know that often it is hard to decide just where a review should go, but try to place it where it seems the most likely to fit in. This is important for those looking for information on a particular topic---they would not say look under cellular phones for a topic on parenting. You want readers to find your review, so it is in your best interest as well.
Watch your spelling. Put an end to sentences along the line. Use capital letters when appropriate. Give the eye (and brain) a rest by putting spaces between changes in thought or idea. A page long paragraph with never-ending sentences do not make a quality review; you may have the best ideas and opinions in the world, but they have to be presented in a manner that displays this!!! Keep writing and writing and writing for continued practice. Your progress will be noticed!
A review or opinion is really not the place to directly attack another member of the community. If you have a complaint or issue with another writer, report it. It is appropriate to talk about the issue and what can and should be done, however, leave member names out of it (unless you have their approval). There seems to be some disention and fighting going on out there; this could be growing pains on the part of epinions, or people out for attention. No matter what the reason, be civil and deal with these problems on a higher level.
Work on your writing and you will be able to turn any "negative" into a "positive." Everyone wins when writers are discovering their talent and developing their skills, and readers can thoroughly enjoy what is being presented for them.
Use this site well---"You don't know what you've got til it's gone."
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Epinions.com ID:
JDinPA
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Member: ~*~ Judy ~*~
Location: The Endless Mountains
Reviews written: 402
Trusted by: 286 members
About Me:
If I am not here, then surely I am someplace else!
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