Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children
and Young Adults
My apologies for the delay
on Part Four.
Are you ready to send your
article out? Have you lined up a list of potential markets? If one magazine
says no thanks, get ready to send it to the next and keep going down your list.
At this point you’ve
revised the content, done a spell check, made sure your computer program used
the right word such as from and not form, checked for extra space breaks, had
an impartial reader give you feedback and have followed all the submission
requirements re word count, font size, and margins if required. Now take a
close look at overall clarity.
In his book, The First Five Pages, Noah Lukeman divides the primary reasons that
manuscripts get rejected by editors into three main categories: Preliminary
Problems, Dialogue, and The Bigger Picture.
Preliminary problems include the normal
spelling, grammar and punctuation but go beyond to include word choice, weak
sentences, presentation, style and Lukeman also adds sound, style, adjectives
and adverbs.
Basically look at your language to make sure
it said what you want it to say. Make your words count. Make your sentences
active with strong verbs.
Introduction
Does your opening include a clear topic plus your
position/attitude? Is it interesting? Create curiosity? Attract a reader’s
attention? Indicate a plan of development or a preview of points to be covered?
Why will your readers want to read more?
Paragraph Clarity
Unity: Is
there a clear opening statement of the main point?
Is the material
on target in support?
Support: Is
there specific evidence to support the opening point?
Is there enough specific evidence?
Clarity: Are
they distinct, easily and correctly understood, not only grammatically but also
in concept?
Coherence
Does the article have a clear method of
organization? Are transitions and other connecting words used to tie the
material together easily?
Closing
Is the conclusion satisfying? Did it tie up the article topic
without restating or summarizing the main points? Did it reach out to make
personal or universal observations about the implications of the theme? For the
age audience do you have next steps to suggest to build upon their curiosity?
Action Steps:
1.
Send out your article. :)
Share: What is your topic and age
category you chose? Or share your opening sentence.
Read deep, marcy
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