Writing Strategies

 　　"Here are some lessons that might apply to your on-the-job writing. The first six I reported to you in my 100th column. The last three have occurred to me since then.

　　Writing helps clarify your thinking;

　　You don't really know what you think until you write it

　　Writing on a regular basis makes you a better writer;

　　Like anything else, the more you practice, the better you get

　　Deadlines can be helpful;

　　They can give you the energy and concentration you need to write

　　Length limits are good for your style;

　　Eliminating wordiness improves your emphasis and impact

　　Good writing is edited writing;

　　You never outgrow¹ your need for a good editor

　　Letting your first draft "rest," will help you edit it more effectively;

　　Certain problems become obvious if you allow time to pass between drafting and editing

　　Some stages of writing are inefficient² and sloppy³;

　　Accepting the imperfection of the first draft is a wonderful freedom

　　Making it fun keeps it fresh;

　　As with most things, a column on business writing doesn't need to be dry and boring

　　Writing counts;

　　Writing is a reflection of your personality and style, a statement of your professional standards. It counts as much as anything else you do

1 outgrow   

vt.长大得使…不再适用；成长得不再要

参考例句：

• The little girl will outgrow her fear of pet animals.小女孩慢慢长大后就不会在怕宠物了。
• Children who walk in their sleep usually outgrow the habit.梦游的孩子通常在长大后这个习惯自然消失。

2 inefficient   

adj.效率低的，无效的

参考例句：

• The inefficient operation cost the firm a lot of money.低效率的运作使该公司损失了许多钱。
• Their communication systems are inefficient in the extreme.他们的通讯系统效率非常差。

3 sloppy   

adj.邋遢的，不整洁的

参考例句：

• If you do such sloppy work again,I promise I'll fail you.要是下次作业你再马马虎虎，我话说在头里，可要给你打不及格了。
• Mother constantly picked at him for being sloppy.母亲不断地批评他懒散。