by Kirsten Grorud-Colvert, Heather Mannix and Stephanie Green Thursday, December 20, 2018
(from Green et al., Facets, February 2018)
Identify your take-home message first. Start with the end in mind.
Remember the shape of your story. Tracking the main character’s fortune over time moves the story forward.
Consider the scale and timing of your story. Cut irrelevant background, processes and methods if they don’t move the story forward in a compelling way.
Use vivid language. Help the reader feel like he or she is there.
Get feedback. Pause. Reflect. Try again. Find someone you trust to give you constructive, supportive criticism.
Embrace discomfort and transformation. Practice makes perfect.
© 2008-2021. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the expressed written permission of the American Geosciences Institute is expressly prohibited. Click here for all copyright requests.