Category Archives: Better Writing

Five tips to developing a successful TED talk

Even if you’re telling people 10 things they didn’t know about orgasms, or describing the experience of having a stroke from the inside out, it’s a lot harder to engage an online audience for your TED talk than it is to gather … Continue reading

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Most common errors made by aspiring op ed writers – part 2

Far too much research has already documented that when something goes wrong, women are highly inclined to blame the problem or setback on their own deficiencies. This tendency operates in stark contrast to men, who are more likely to blame … Continue reading

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Don’t Bury the Lede!

If you saw the following sentence at the start of a piece in your daily newspaper, would you keep reading? “You don’t see a lot of naked men in advertising.” Lots of people did — no thanks to me. The … Continue reading

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Most Common Errors Made by Aspiring Op Ed Writers – part 1

Whether you’re picked last for the ball team, get rebuffed on the first date, or fail to elicit a positive response from an editor, rejection stinks. That’s why Informed Opinions offers online editing feedback (free to our workshop participants, but … Continue reading

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Think “outcome” when crafting an op ed

In the middle of delivering an op ed writing workshop recently to a very engaged group of United Way staff and volunteers from across Ontario (organized through Sean Moore‘s fabulous Advocacy School initiative) I was reminded again of the value … Continue reading

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Opening lines – make ‘em work

“No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be a heroine.” “Tap-dancing child abuser. That’s what The Sunday New York Times from March 8, 1993, had called Vivi.” “But, you may … Continue reading

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Don’t do it!

It hardly seems fair: you spend years in school, mastering the impenetrable jargon necessary to earn the degree or qualify for the professional designation. And then someone (ok, that would be me — backed up by thousands of journalists and … Continue reading

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The value of interviews

Hanging out with someone who hasn’t been drinking your kool-aid is a useful thing to do, every now and again. Being asked questions that encourage you to articulate and defend the principles you hold dear forces you to get clearer … Continue reading

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Gloria Steinem: modesty and priceless advice

In the about-to-be-broadcast HBO documentary, In Her Own Words, subject and feminist role model Gloria Steinem  encourages young women to “Listen to the voice inside you and follow that.” And then – demonstrating her critical awareness of the serious limitations … Continue reading

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Lessons in persuasion continued…

What if you don’t have time to write an op ed but one of the issues you care most – and know lots – about is in the news? Write a letter to the editor, instead; you only need to … Continue reading

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