Day 5 On Writing Well C9

Words and expressions

1. Every paragraph should amplify the one that preceded it. 

amplify: to increase the effects or strength of something

仿写: These stories only amplified her fears.

2. The public mood was most felicitously caught by thewoman who replied: “I don’t eat feather meat of no kind.”

felicitously: well-chosen and suitable

仿写: Her prose style is not always felicitous; she tends to repetition.

3. They didn’t expect the article to end so soon, or so abruptly, or to say what it said. 

abrupt: sudden and unexpected

仿写: The bus came to an abrupt halt.

4. The notion of Coolidge having no ideas and not being a nuisance can’t help leaving a residue of enjoyment.

residue: the part of something that is left after the rest has gone or been taken away

仿写: The residue of the stock was sold.

5. The surprise it carries is tremendous.

tremendous: very big, fast, powerful

仿写: She praised her husband for the tremendous support he had given her.

Reflection:

  The  most important sentence in any article is the first one. As for the lead, we should always collect more material than you will use. Besides,  to look for our material everywhere, not just by reading the obvious sources and interviewing  the obvious people. The perfect ending  should take our readers slightly by surprise and yet seem exactly right.