Writing invitation: Don’t assume - it’s all about the details | My Readable Feast - children's book activities, kidlit reviews, and children's cooking activities

Jul 16 2007

Writing invitation: Don’t assume - it’s all about the details

Published by Anne-Marie at 5:01 am under Writing

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When we’re writing anything from an email to a novel, writers often assume that their readers knows what they’re writing about. However, unless you supply some well-picked details, readers often don’t have a clue.

Just look at recipes. What happens if the author forgot to include the bake time? Or left out the step where you add the egg to the cake batter? Disaster! As they say, it’s all in the details.

Writing directions on how to make or do something is a great way to practice making sure all the right information gets into your writing.

Writing Invitation One: Write instructions on how to blow up a balloon
Pretend you just met someone who has never seen a ballon before and doesn’t know what to do with one. Write a detailed list of directions on what one needs to do to blow up a balloon.

Don’t assume your reader knows anything. You may need to start this assignment with a simple step like, "Go to the store and buy a package of balloons."

Review your instructions. Did you leave anything out or make an assumption?For example, don’t go from buying the package of balloons to blowing into one. You have to open the package first and take one out!

Writing Invitation Two: Write instructions on how to turn making your bed from something boring and tedious to lots of fun
This takes the detailed instruction assignment one step further. Put in some ways to make bed making fun. For example, "First, put on your bed making fuzzy slippers. Sing the football team fight song as you fluff the pillows." The more silly details, the better.

If you need more writing prompts, check out Write Anyway at 451Press.com. A new blogger, JM, has taken over. She also writes at Fiction Scribe.

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2 Responses to “Writing invitation: Don’t assume - it’s all about the details”

# Lisaon 16 Jul 2007 at 1:40 pm

This is really such a good point! I often forget to take myself back to the very beginning, when writing about stuff. And I really like the writing prompt exercises you’ve shared to help ‘re-train’ my brain that way!
# JMon 18 Jul 2007 at 7:13 pm

Hi there. Thanks for the link. I always liked the prompts where you describe how to do something what you consider simple to someone who has never done it before.

The second prompt could be a good parent-child craft project if you look at it the right way.