The absolute best way that I know of to write just about anything quickly and effectively is to use what I call a “real-life template”. In fact, I rarely write anything without using some sort of real-life template.
In case you aren’t sure what I mean here; a real-life template is an actual sample of the particular document that you need to write. For example, if I need to write a “business introduction letter” I dig out an actual business introduction letter that I have written previously for another situation. If I don’t have such a letter in my files I try to find a sample online of an actual introduction letter that has been written by another professional.
Believe me; working with a real-life template is far better than starting with a blank page or screen, or trying to work with one of those generic fill-in-the-blank jobs. Here’s how you typically work with a real-life template…
As I said, before starting try to get your hands on a well written real-life sample of the actual type of document that you have to write. That could be a letter, a resume or c.v., a business report, etc. Ideally you will want to get a copy of it in electronic form so that you can easily work with it in a word processing program, such as MS-Word, WordPerfect, etc.
Here’s how you work with a real-life template in a typical situation…
- You have to write a letter, resume, report, or other document in a hurry.
- You search in your own files or obtain a copy from somewhere else of a quality template that most closely fits the situation.
- You open that specific template right into your word processing program.
- You copy, cut, and paste a few revisions to transform the template to fit your own specific situation.
In short order you will have a fully-formatted, professional-quality document all ready-to-go in finished form — just like a real professional would write it.
When you work with a real-life template of the specific type of document that you need to write, you will notice that you will have to make very few changes in structure or phrasing. The only thing you will need to do in most cases is to insert the specific terms that are unique to the situation for which you are writing.
Using real-life templates, it shouldn’t take very long to draft professional quality business documents that cover your specific situation. It will eliminate laborious retyping/recopying from scratch. It’s almost like using an instant document creator.
In fact, that’s exactly why I use real-life templates as the basis for ALL of my writing help toolkits.
To see more than 60 real-life letter templates click on the following link:
http://writinghelp-central.com/sample-letters.html
March 9th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Dear Shaun Fawcett,
I am often inclined to look for real life template when I have to write letters or reports in order to get enough vocabulary as well as content to draft the letters but I was often feeling myself guilty of plagarism. Your writing tips gave me a sigh of relief that this is what is being prescribed by the best writer and seasoned English Lanuage Teacher. May God bless you and live long life to serve the humanity.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Thanks Farzana,
Yes, using a real-life example is fine to follow for the typical approach, style and phrasing for the type of document that you are writing. But you must add your own terminology, context and phrasing to make it fit your exact situation. However, you should never copy something almost word-for-word, especially a creative work. For a letter or report the word-for-word approach would likely result in a poor final product; but for a creative work such as an article or a book, that would be plagiarism.
March 26th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Thank you for being there for me. You are making my work much easier to accomplish. Your assistance and guidance is immense. For some of us English is our second language and we struggle to convey the correct message, but with your help everything is possible.
May God be with you and guide you for many more years to come.
Nambata Namweya
Namibia
Africa
March 26th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Dear Mr. Fawcett,
I am quite pleased with your writing tips and have found them very useful in all of my activities. I thank you so much and I pray that the Lord will continue to be your fortress and buckler. Have a blessed day and week ahead.