Writing with Style and Substance Sue Robinson & Marilyn J. Shaw Institute on Philanthropy University...

Writing with Style and Substance

Sue Robinson & Marilyn J. Shaw

Institute on PhilanthropyUniversity of Richmond

Step 4: DraftingJune 2011

Mark Twain on Writing

“Anybody can have ideas—the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.”

—Letter to Emeline Beach, Feb. 10, 1868

(c) Well Put LLC and Robinson & Assoc LLC

Step 4: Drafting

1. Review similar past examples critically.

2. Hone in on previous successes.

3. Outline content, how you will get the audience to read from start to finish.

4. Focus on good writing form to achieve the desired reaction.


1. Review past examples

Part of continuous improvement Time saving Boilerplate Make note of any past omissions to

include this time, errors to avoid. Keep a file of distributed work on which

you make notes for next-time changes.


2. Hone in on past successes

If a previous fund-raising communication brought in new donors like crazy and that’s your goal, your new draft may be a simple update.

If your board praised your meeting summary for its clarity and completeness, repeat that approach.


3. Outline Content, Approach

Make use of Motivation, Collecting Ideas and Organizing steps.

From your theme, draft a headline. Craft an opening that grabs the reader. Determine the point of each paragraph;

map information from old to new. Figure out how you want to close.


4. Good Writing Form

Clarity (Subject, verb)*“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the

earth.”

Brevity *Twitter fiction (140 characters)

“If I position my head just right, my wife will be looking into my eyes when she smiles. The hologram flickers as I rewind one more time.”—R. Gatwood Consider lists instead of comma series.


Draft Sample: Notice anything?

“Then came the day of the date. Luke bathed and dressed in new clothes and asked his mom if he should shave. She laughed and said, ‘Of course not.’” His mom gave him tips on how to treat a girl like a queen. Luke just hoped he would not act like a fool at the film or when he and Jen ate at the joint next door.”


4. Good Writing form (cont’d)

Simplicity—Hemingway(?) story: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

Use active voice. Make verbs do the heavy lifting. Make every word count. Rule of 3


Breaking Down the Elements

Words—find the root of long words; think keywords, metatags, conversation

Sentences—vary word order for interest, cadence, emphasis. Compose

Paragraphs—each needs a theme/

purpose; sentences in them fit theme Composition—transitions and flow


Group Exercise (10 mins.)

Let’s take the sentences the class offered about the computer that died before its time and start drafting a short eulogy.


Start Writing!

Where do I begin? Writer’s block Find your personal creative peak time Too many notes; too much data Deadline looms (or pretend it does)

Remember: medium, audience, goal


Group Exercise (10 min.)

Take a few minutes to read “Social Networking Theme.”

Jot down at least one question you have about this draft for a brief discussion.

Was the writer successful in communicating?


Individual Exercise

On your own, or in class if time permits, work on your draft and bring it to the next class.


Writing with Style and Substance Sue Robinson & Marilyn J. Shaw Institute on Philanthropy University...

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