Writing (as opposed to word processing)

If 'writing' is literally interpreted as 'handwriting', when it comes to document writing these days, the word,'writing', is a bit of a misnomer, really, isn't it? Today, when a student has an assignment to write or when a business person has a document to prepare, is it literally handwritten with a pen or pencil onto paper? My observations would lead me to believe that it is more likely that the student or the business person 'logs on' to their computer of choice and word-processes the document, from ideas stage through to final copy.

Twenty years ago, writing the same document was a much more time-consuming process. Drafting and redrafting, prior to a finished copy being prepared, all took place by hand. Possibly, the finished copy was typed, but all steps leading to this point were by hand. When I think back on this, I can remember many instances of asking my mother to proofread what I hoped would be the final copy of a school assignment for me with trepidation, knowing that if she found even one or two errors, I would have to start afresh so as to submit a perfect copy. On more than one occasion, this was exactly what happened and I would have to go 'back to the drawing board' and rewrite the entire assignment.

We writers of today are so much more fortunate - all we have to do is hover our cursor at a particular point on the screen, click on the backspace key, and type a correction. The efficiency allowed by the tools we have at our fingertips makes such a difference to our ability to produce writing at the pace and volume at which we do.

Having said all this, I don't think it matters so much whether the document is entirely handwritten, entirely wordprocessed or some combination of the two. As long as the world keeps writing, that's all that matters to me.

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Proofreading Perfection

To proofread or not to proofread, that is the question.

Consider this scenario:

You have been working hard on the set assignment topic - listened carefully in class or lectures, identified key words and purpose of the task, conducted research, collected notes and collated these into a useable state. Now is the time to write. The words go slowly onto the page at first, but gradually, you become more and more immersed in what you are writing. Your fingers glide across the keyboard and you discover the words are flowing onto your laptop screen with ease. Without realising, you complete your final statement just within the designated word limit. You collapse in a euphoric state, satisfied that you have done everything humanly possible to address the task requirements and ensure the document you have written is the best possible response anyone could compose. Finally finished, you decide...

And then you wake up!

To enjoy such a dream run on an assignment is every student's wish. Unfortunately, it is usually far from reality. If only the process could run so smoothly!

Then, there is the delicate issue of proofreading your work. It's the last thing you feel like doing, and, it's next to impossible to proofread your own work effectively straight after it's been written. You really need at least overnight, if not two or three days, to regroup and be in a position to properly assess your own writing. That's all very well if you have the time!

Of course, you may be in the very fortunate position of having a dedicated family member or long-suffering friend who is willing to do this proofreading for you. In the dream run, that person is feeling well-rested and fresh as they cast their eye over your work. Of course, in this fantasy world, their expertise in the subject matter of the assignment is second-to-none. Back to reality, though, and you realise that your mother/father/sister/brother/friend just doesn't have the time or the energy to devote to your document.

Here's the question then - after all of the time and effort you have invested in your document, why would you jeopardise your investment by not proofreading it carefully? Word Write for Success is a professional proofreading service, which exists for this specific purpose. By simply emailing the document through to us, you guarantee yourself the very best result possible. We proofread and edit for spelling, punctuation and grammar, structure and sequencing, vocabulary, paragraphing and layout, as well as referencing systems.

Don't risk all the hard work you've done to this point by not completing this crucial final step of the assignment writing process.

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Reality Bites for University Students

Now that "O" week is over in universities around the country, it's hard to avoid the real reason you've gone to uni - to achieve a degree! You've studied for a long time already just to get where you are now and it's time to buckle in for a whole lot more work.

One way to allow yourself an edge on your fellow undergraduates is to START ASSIGNMENTS STRAIGHTAWAY. As soon as you have the texts, the readings and the assignment information, set yourself up by actually beginning working towards the assignment. Let's face it - lots of heads are still spinning from the O-week experience and enjoying the freedom that a university offers. They haven't woken up yet to the fact that there's work to be done. Don't allow yourself to fall into this category of student.

Instead:

* Start writing a draft for your first assignment immediately. Not after the weekend, not after you've checked Facebook, not after the 'dust has settled', not after the music festival, but NOW!

* Reread and redraft a day or two later - you'll be surprised what mistakes you pick up in your own work. Then, have someone else proofread your work for you. Ideally, it's someone you can trust, who you know will give it their full attention and who will provide high quality advice. "Word Write for Success" can do this for you.

* A tip - don't send a first draft off to a professional proofreader to check. You will waste valuable cash! The draft you send to a professional proofreader should be your second or third draft at least.

* It is your job to nut out the content. The proofreader will check for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Sometimes, a proofreader will provide structural advice if they feel it will make a difference to your success.

* Provide your proofreader with a copy of the assignment question and specify the referencing system you are required to use.

* Don't leave it too late - make sure you send your draft to be proofread at least one week before it is due to be handed in. Depending on its size, you may need to submit it even earlier for checking, that is, if you want quality feedback!

Follow these simple steps to ensure a finished product which will cause others to come to you for tips on how you blitzed your degree!

http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/