Basic Computer Skills for Authors
Basic computer skills for authors are important when presenting a manuscript to publishers. Basic computer skills go beyond typing skills. Some writers were writing back when typewriters were THE advanced technology. There’s nothing wrong with this. Old school typists exude disciplined typing ability. While this is a good asset to have, computer skills separate professional writers from amateurs. Basic computer skills reduce the need for intensive production work during layout.
The following strategies assist in the layout of a manuscript and follow standard conventions for submitting to publishers.
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In My Opinion, I Think that I Believe This Is Bad Writing
I recently responded to the following question: “I am trying to improve the exposition/argument I am writing in English. What can I write instead of 'in my opinion . . .'?"
As an editor, I like writing that gets to the point, communicates confidently, and provides new information. Phrases such as “in my opinion,” “I think that,” and “I believe” create three problems for writers.
- They delay the writer’s message.
- They demonstrate insecurity.
- They tell the reader what he already knows.
Let’s look at why this is, using the sample sentence, “In my opinion, flowers are better than elephants.”
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