Level 4 Tips
By Christina Zila, Textbroker Editor
Many authors have asked, “What's the difference between a 4 and a 5?” There is no room for error for 5-star authors. We need to trust our authors to deliver error-free work. On top of all the previous items, what writing skills can 4-star authors improve on?
1. Overblown Style and Vocabulary
Using a 10-point word every once in a while is not a problem. When your entire article on farming is five-syllable words, you've lost your audience. Your writing comes off as overdone. There's also a high likelihood that you've chosen words with an inappropriate connotation for the context. See George Orwell's 5 Rules for Effective Writing.
2. Hyphenation
Compound adjectives, like well-written, well-dressed, brightly-colored and under-staffed, are hyphenated. A lack of a hyphen can lead to confusion on what is being described.
3. Use punctuation to enhance your message, not to distract readers from it.
-Using parentheses distances you from the things you're saying. They are extremely distracting to the reader and can cause grammar errors. Is what you're saying pertinent to the article? If so, incorporate it into the sentence normally. 85% of the time, this can be done with our friend the comma. If the information is not pertinent, remove it.
-Dashes are strong breaks for readers. Use them sparingly to give emphasis when it's truly needed.
-Advanced writers tend to use “marketing” capitalization. Words in all capitals are read as a shout. If your words and phrasing are proper and tight, you won't need all-caps to carry your meaning. A sentence doesn't POP – that's screaming. A sentence pops, just like popcorn.
Only capitalize the first letter of a word if it is the first word in the sentence, a proper noun or required by the client. If the client's keyword is “Lawnmower Services,” then the sentence should be “Greg's Lawnmower Repair offers speedy Lawnmower Services.” If the keyword is “Greg's Lawnmower Repair,” leave “lawnmower services” lower case. Refer to the AP Stylebook for capitalization of official bodies, titles and other capitalization questions.
4. Sentence flow and consistency
Check your articles for awkward phrasing, introductions that don't match the main clause of the sentence and inconsistent lists. Inconsistent means that your phrasing changes for at least one item in your list. Here's an example of an inconsistent list: I use my office for writing articles, studying grammar, and to check my e-mail. “Etc.” is usually superfluous at the end of a list. Adding it changes the tone of the sentence, so avoid it where possible.
5. Meaningful content and no fluff
One selling point for a 5-star order is that the author can manipulate the language so well that their writing compels readers to take action, whether it's signing up for a newsletter or buying a product. Your articles should have structure, minimal fluff and a strong conclusion. The definition of fluff is the subject of another post.
Full Disclosure: Christina Zila is a full-time employee of Textbroker International LLC and editor at Textbroker.com.
posted on 07/30/2010 - 07.55 | grammar and style | comments: 45
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Thanks for this excellent outline. I think I see where I'm lacking and why I've stuck at level 4 now. I have a question: How do you guys grade articles? Do you just go with your gut or do you use some kind of rubric and grant points for grammar, spelling, compliance with client instructions, etc? I'm just curious.added by: author Ross on 07/30/2010 - 10.34
http://www.amazon.com/Sin-Syntax-Craft-Wickedly-Effective/dp/0767903099/ref=pd_sim_b_2
One of many, Veronica. This one shouldn't always be taken as "gospel," but it's a great tool to help "loosen the noose" of structured writing if you absorb the gist and apply the principles.
Good post, Christina.added by: author A-035348 on 07/31/2010 - 02.24
Not to nit pick, but don't we leave out the hyphen in a compound modifier when we're dealing with an adverb-adjective pair? I.e., wouldn't it be "brightly colored shirt"?added by: author A-048032 on 07/31/2010 - 04.01
Thanks these tips were clear and helpful, i'm looking forward to my next assignements..added by: author A-048202 on 07/31/2010 - 06.01
haha, love it, but it reminds me of the time my keywords needed a hyphenation, but the article wouldn't let me release it if the keywords were hypenated. I knew it read poorly without hyphens but couldn't do anything about it. I also had a misspelled keyword that was required in another article.added by: author A-044244 on 07/31/2010 - 08.20
I am trying to "make it" to level 4. This is helpful to know what mistakes I should avoid making, in addition, to my comma woes.
Thanks!
Karenadded by: author A-032131 on 07/31/2010 - 08.48
I just bought that book on Kindle. Hoping it will help me with my writing in general. Thanksadded by: author A-044244 on 07/31/2010 - 08.58
Excellent! This is such a helpful post. I'd love to see a few more with a similar theme.added by: author Ms Rebecca on 07/31/2010 - 09.12
I am seeing these expectations all over the place now to improve my writing. It's the last piece needed to get to level 5 and feel more confident in my writing skills. I'm going to print this out.
I really need a class to help me focus on the exercises or something to walk me through it. I checked out the University of California - San Diego's online editing class. Has anyone taken this course and had good results as a copy editor or improved writer?
If anyone knows of another course that would benefit writers with helping catch mistakes through editing, please let me know. I have read so many books including The Elements of Style but for me, I have to have hands on knowledge and someone with feedback help me refine my writing.
Thanks!added by: author A-040455 on 07/31/2010 - 09.40
great tips! I try really hard to avoid fluff. If I am very close on word count, I will literally walk a way for a few minutes to refresh. Then, I come back and reread everything I wrote to finish or add something I forgot! I literally yesterday was down to three words without ruining a great ending. Taking online classes is a great idea! I would like to do that to better my writing skills!
thanks again!
cheriadded by: author cheri2010 on 07/31/2010 - 01.39
I'm a level 2 author,just finished my 2nd article. Reading the level 4 tips, I see some writing era's I made. Thank you for the tips!! I will continue t write, with great support from the authors @ textbroker, I will succees at writing.added by: author falcon69 on 07/31/2010 - 03.27
I agree with author A-048032. The AP Stylebook says,
"When a compound modifier -- two or more words that express a single concept -- precedes a noun, use hyphens to link all the words in the compound except the adverb 'very' and all adverbs that end in '-ly': '...an easily remembered rule.'
"The principle of using a hyphen to avoid confusion explains why no hyphen is required with 'very' and '-ly' words. Readers can expect them to modify the word that follows."
In Christina Zila's example, a noun would follow 'brightly-colored;' for example, 'a brightly-colored umbrella.' 'Brightly,' an adverb, must modify a verb that does not exist, or it must modify the adjective 'colored.' It cannot modify the noun, 'umbrella.' Therefore, no ambiguity results from omitting the hyphen.added by: author A-032321 on 07/31/2010 - 03.53
"So do you have any book recommendations--any books that helped you hone your writing skills? I know that Elements of Style is pretty good. Any others?" VeronicaM
There is an *excellent* book by David Angell and Brent Heslop entitled "The Elements of E-mail Style: Communicate Effectively via Electronic Mail." Don't be put off by the fact that it's about e-mail style. The fundamental principles that help make e-mail messages more effective also apply to other types of online content.
If you want to get "the last word" on commas and hyphens and anything else that might be causing you problems, then you need a reference work that's much more comprehensive ... something like "The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers," Third Edition, by Chris M. Anson of North Carolina State University, and Robert A. Schwegler of the University of Rhode Island.
http://wps.ablongman.com/long_anson_lhb_4/ is the companion website, where you can find a wealth of information by clicking on the little arrow in the drop-down box at the top of the page.
Incidentally — and technically speaking — titles of books are supposed to be underlined, but underlining in an online environment has now come to signify an active link, so computer users everywhere have taken to putting the titles of books as well as magazines in quotes. One of the things you'll learn from Angell and Heslop, though, is that an asterisk (*) before and after something is the universal ASCII code for underlining. So in a case where you would normally underline something for emphasis, whether it be a word, a phrase, or a book title, you can make it stand out by putting an asterisk before and after it and be perfectly correct.
There is also a website that undertakes — for a price — to analyze your grammar for you. If you pay by the month, it's $20; if you pay by the year, the monthly cost drops to $8. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial, though, for the purpose of seeing whether you think it will help you or not.
For myself, I have concluded that, while a grammar checker seems like a good idea in theory, it doesn't work very well in practice. English is just too slippery, it seems, for software to get a good grip on. I do think it's worth testing out for a week, though. At the very least, you might get a new perspective on certain tendencies in your writing that you might not have been aware of before.
If you want to sign up for the free trial, here's the link:
http://www.grammarly.com/
"Sin and Syntax," which has already been mentioned by author A-035348, is wonderful ... a delightful read! It touches on an aspect of writing that people with content needs would kill for, and which I can only describe as "3E" content: Entertaining, Enlightening, Educational. The reason it's so desirable is people tell all their friends about it as soon as they see it, so it goes "viral" almost immediately and attracts hordes of traffic to your website. There's a way to learn how to write that type of content, too, but it's a specialty of its own and outside the scope of this post.
Anyway, VeronicaM, I hope this helps.
warmest regards ...
ElizabethA
author A-040516
:)
added by: author A-040516 on 07/31/2010 - 04.47
Can anyone tell me how long it takes to make the jump from level 3 up to 4. I have consistently scored 3's in reviews and excellent in client reviews, no refusals or rewrites at all. I am looking for a general time frame, a month?, 20 submitted pieces?, how do they decide when you move up? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!added by: author maggi on 07/31/2010 - 08.19
Christina, thank you for sharing your experience(s) with us. Words (esp. the wicked English language is such a challenge. I can't begin to imagine what those learning it as a second language go through. It defies logic so many times, and rules, and well...
ElizabethA, thanks for your referrals.
I still try to go by the simple wisdom of Mark Twain who said, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."added by: author GratefulAl on 07/31/2010 - 08.26
Commas were mentioned in point 2.
I get gigged nearly every single time for commas, so I reduce them, then I get gigged for not using commas
I would like perfect clarification on when your service wants commas used and when it does not.
I am a very good writer, I know when to use commas, and I know when not to use them, yet every time I put in a pertinent pause based on my thoughts the writing evaluator decides on her own that I am not doing it properly.
It almost seems like it is personal.
If I can write graduate level essays without any problems with commas then it seems I should be able to write for Textbroker without any comma issues.
Thank you.
added by: author A-021313 on 08/01/2010 - 03.11
Writing upper level Testbroker orders does require a very specific set of skills. I struggle with word count also. I find myself going back to tweak things to reach the required number and I find that I have muddled my originally clear and concise prose. There is definitely a learning curve here, and, yes, you can be a pretty good writer and still not make it to level 5.added by: author bevsue on 08/01/2010 - 07.04
I also am a level 4 author, a published author, who is trying to make it to level 5, and can't seem to get past the comma thing. Use a comma, don't use a comma. I think part of the problem, and this may be an issue for the person above who mentioned writing grauate level essays, is that there are different rules for literary and academic writing than there is for journalistic writing. Several times I received a comment from tb on a wrong use of a comma, but when I checked my "Prentice-Hall Reference Guide" I would see that I was correct. A friend suggested I get an AP stylebook, and in looking through it, I saw several differences. Textbroker, just a suggestion: you should let authors know when they sign up that you follow AP rules. I could be wrong, I don't remember that it was ever mentioned.added by: author Chris M. on 08/02/2010 - 09.30
Your tips are really helpful to me, Christina. I thought I knew most of the rules of English grammar but your useful and interesting information is making me aware of many others that I'll be able to use in the future. Thank you for taking the time to help all of us improve our writing with your clear explanations and examples.added by: author A-043004 on 08/02/2010 - 10.31
I am one of the truly grateful for this and other posts. Textbroker is the only site I write for that makes an effort to help their writers improve. This benefits both parties. Both earn more with better writing skills.
I thought at first that I was in some kind of "probation cage" with everything I wrote graded at "level 3." Almost everything was about commas. I buckled down, paid attention to the grammer check on Word, and began to watch the commas as well as "passive voice." As I work towards eliminating this bad habit, my writing has improved not only for Textbroker but for other clients as well.
Although I have yet to have any direct orders, their day will come.
I have enjoyed writing most of my life, at home and at work.
I look forward to more posts in the future. Thank you.added by: author TGallagher on 08/02/2010 - 03.26
This is helpful, but it feels a little late. I made a couple of errors on some work submitted before this post was published. As a writer, it frustrates me that I can't find style rules or guidelines for writing at Textbroker. Have I missed them somewhere, or do they just not exist yet? I'd love to see them added in the future. Someone mentioned AP style is used. Is this true?added by: author A-047739 on 08/03/2010 - 02.52
I disagree regarding using the email correspondence reference. Too often, emails are not "correctly" formatted for grammar and punctuation. Email has become an informal communication form, instead of maintaining "electronic letter" structure as it was originally intended.
People often over- or under-use commas based on verbal or mental pauses. Written communication, projects, articles, and letters cannot "pause" where one would verbally. Formality must be preserved in structure. That's the "science" part of writing. Good content is the "art" with which we're all familiar.
If you have trouble with any punctuation and find no relief in the "tried and true" titles bantered about on this blog, there's a simple, back-to-basics method that can, when pride is put aside, work quite well.
Relearn it. Don't play "catch up." Go find the elementary English books and manuals; sit in on classes. (Telling the principal that you're a writer doing research on teaching methods and student learning processes in today's world is neither wrong nor a lie. You just don't have to tell him or her that you might be the "student." Borrow textbooks. Relearn--don't regroup.
Regarding another post mentioning time frames, there are no time frames for advancement to any level. If you're a four-star writer, you can request advancement review after, I believe, ten accepted articles, but the editors are swamped and may not be able to shoulder additional reviews. Just keep plugging away, writing the best you can. Keep eyes and ears out for hints, tips, and cautions.
Practice as much as you can. If you see in the OpenOrders a project you're not comfortable taking, note the subject and word count. When you can, research the topic, take good notes, then practice your writing style, form, and content with a completely new subject area.
As the old joke asks, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall," advancing to the next writing level affords the same response, "Practice! Practice! Practice!"added by: author A-035348 on 08/04/2010 - 02.18
Oops...I forgot to add one comment regarding self-editing.
A very effective method for catching most punctuation, spelling, and form errors is to read the work backwards, one word at a time.
Because the writer's mind is "programmed" with the words running from top to bottom and left to right, missing errors when reading or editing in the same direction is practically hard-wired into our brains. Reversing the process--bottom to top, right to left--presents a vastly different image, and the brain must actually concentrate on what the eyes are seeing.
When the eyes see "period...word...'and'...comma...word...comma...word..." etc., there are three consecutive entries that would otherwise read, "...red, blue, and white." If the eyes read, "period...word...comma...word...verb...subject," there's a problem, because left to right, the text reads, "I ran yesterday, today."
It takes longer to self-edit this way, but it really does help hone the self-edit skills if you stick with it, and writing improves both in form and content when skills improve.added by: author A-035348 on 08/04/2010 - 02.27
Now...A spot quiz: How many punctuation "errors" are there in my two posts directly above? ;)
added by: author A-035348 on 08/04/2010 - 02.41
(lol) Perhaps, but there are several specifically written into the posts. What are they? ;)
And while I'm here anyway, yes, TB uses AP Style writing. Double space between paragraphs. If headings are used, seat them directly above the opening line of each segment. [Note: Segments can have more than one paragraph, but they can also contain only one paragraph.]
Bolding of the headings presents a professional look. To use, insert at the start of a heading either "< b>" (without the quotation marks and spaces) then immediately type the heading, using upper-case letters for each word. At the end of the heading, use "< /b>" (no marks) to end the bolding. For example, a sample might look like in the TB submission window:
---
< b>Your Heading Title Here< /b>
Write your segment content here. Be sure to use only one--repeat, one--space between the period and the first letter of the next sentence.
When each segment is complete, start a new segment with a double space and bolded headings.
Next Segment Title Here
Segment Two content appears here.
---
Some clients prefer a separated heading, using the < h4> and < /h4> HTML coding. The < h4> options automatically insert line spacing above and below the upper-case heading titles, so no double-spacing effort is required by the writer.
Because the h4 tags automatically place the spacing parameters, it's not even necessary to start a new line, yourself, when using those tags. For example, I often use the easy way and "program" mine following the example below:
--
< h4>My Segment Title< /h4>When I use these tags, I don't use the Return or Enter button before I start writing my content.
I know that when I'm finished, the tags will format the content as shown below.
---
On the TB Preview screen, the above would show as follows, using capital letters in place of what would appear as bolded text there:
---
MY SEGMENT TITLE
When I use these tags, I don't use the Return or Enter button before I start writing my content.
I know that when I'm finished, the tags will format the content as shown below.
---
Use the Enter button only when separating paragraphs, not segments with titles.
(And yes, I'm finished here. Really. Taking the night off of blog writing!)
Have fun, and find those punctuation errors! ;)added by: author A-035348 on 08/04/2010 - 05.42
Hmmm! I had no idea this existed - the blog. This was the only post I've read so far and it was extremely helpful. I do intend to read more, thank you!added by: author A-036010 on 08/07/2010 - 08.11
For those who can't find a hardcopy or for those who don't want to find a hardcopy, here's Shrunk's "Element of Style" online.
http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.htmladded by: author A-035348 on 08/14/2010 - 01.09
Hey there Christina:
Lovely pix on the TB cover page,,,it's nice to put a photo with a name,,,,,,
take care
ekaterina (MEL227)added by: author MEL227 on 09/28/2010 - 08.00
I am a level 3 and OCCASIONALLY I have bounced up to 4. I know that my prob lies in the eternal comma questions......I have to say on the side of TB that they did tell me AP style book from the beginning. I more freqently check Christina comma list she put out a few weeks ago and then I'll google any other comma questions that I might have........I know it will happen....I can almost feel it, someday soon I am getting into Level 4 and STAYING there!!
with God's help, of course - (well placed comma :)
LizG
added by: author A-045610 on 10/02/2010 - 05.33
I've noticed two others pointing out that you don't use a hyphen after an adverb that ends in LY. I'll admit that I make mistakes with hyphens, but I've been corrected on this "mistake," before and I consulted the AP style guide, as well as my sister who works as an editor. Every source agrees that you never use the hyphen after an LY adverb. But if I'm going to be told it's wrong every time and then get a low rating because of it, am I supposed to just agree with what Textbroker editors want? What if a client knows the "LY" adverb rule and sees my wrong punctuation? What if a different editor gives me a bad score because I DO use a hyphen after an "LY" adverb? I really wish we could converse with the editors after they send comments and corrections. I would just like to be able to ask for clarity in a case like this. I've learned a lot from the editors and am working to get better at grammar and style all of the time. I appreciate what they do, and I assume they're probably too busy to deal with questions all the time, but it sure would be helpful.added by: author S. Patrick on 10/14/2010 - 06.29
Reading the Textbroker blog titled 'Commas Save Lives' and its accompanying blogs have helped me to maintain a consistent level 4 rating. It has excellent examples that are easy to remember.added by: author A-008841 on 10/19/2010 - 05.25
Since I can remember, I was always taught never to use a hyphen following an adverb ending in -ly or with well. The AP Guide states that one should use a hyphen if the compound modifier occurs before the verb. (The well-known actor accepted the award.) In cases where the compound modifier occurs after the verb, the hyphen is not used. (The actor is well known for accepting the award.) Has the AP Guide changed its mind? What is the consensus on hyphenation? I find myself getting confused by the changing rules.added by: author A-066407 on 03/19/2011 - 03.39
I hope I'm not repeating what someone has already said, but I received some sound advice from my creative writing teacher in high school. She taught us to edit ourselves by reading our papers backwards. It forces you to analyze each sentence on its own without the context of the previous sentence to muddle your judgement. I pick up more grammar errors that way. It seems like no matter how many times I read it forward, there's always something I miss. It usually only takes me one pass backwards to get an error-free article.added by: author A-052319 on 04/09/2011 - 04.39
AP now favors email over e-mail. When style trumps content, we truly inhabit the realm of the unimaginative.added by: author A-048997 on 04/16/2011 - 12.12
Thank you for this excellent advice. I think my main problem is slipping into using those commonly heard and seen phrases.added by: author Sine on 09/04/2011 - 08.16
My problem is, I go off on tangents and forget what I am talking about. So, before that happens to me here, I would like to ask a question- I found a new button, "team orders". I want to be on a team- what do I have to do?added by: author Jericubed on 09/12/2011 - 02.54
The following excerpt came from the AP Stylbook:
“COMPOUND MODIFIERS: When a compound modifier – two or more words that express a single concept – precedes a noun, use hyphens to link all the words in the compound except the adverb very and all adverbs that end in -ly: “
How does this reconcile with the above instructions that require a hyphen in the compound modifier “brightly-colored?”
added by: author J.J. on 10/10/2011 - 12.41
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