Comments on: The Holy Grail to Writing Great Content – Rhetoric

By: SEO wrinting

SEO wrinting — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:19:52 +0000

I agree that makes so much sense. It’s a way of persuasive writing thst is enjoyable to read. Thanks for youe tips.

By: Patrick Riddle

Patrick Riddle — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:48:55 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion Casey! It’s next on my reading list …

Glad you liked it Paul!

~ Patrick

By: Paul Hassing

Paul Hassing — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:10:46 +0000

Thank you, Patrick. I dug it! Best regards, P. :)

By: Crimson Conservative

Crimson Conservative — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:34:48 +0000

I suppose at first glance, some of my posts could be perceived as being not especially passionate, but they are in that I’m passionate in wanting people to engage in meaningful, reasonable dialogue and discussion, rather than doctrinaire talking-points and diatribe.

I know the web and media in general often rewards sensationalism, but I’d rather elevate the discussion, and be content with more modest traffic levels.

By: Casey

Casey — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:06:04 +0000

If you want to improve your writing & rhetoric, I highly recommend The Elements of Style by Strunk & White. It is less than 90 pages and has been the real “Holy Grail” for English rhetoric since the early 1900s. Plus, the book is super cheap.

By: kingston memory

kingston memory — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:03:43 +0000

This is a really good article, but I was surprised there was no mention of keywords or SEO. In my experience, there’s a very big need for copywriters to learn the basics of SEO copywriting and infuse techniques into their work.

By: Fotografi

Fotografi — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:33:02 +0000

I believe that uou need a mix of 3 things when you write in a blog.
1) Content
2) How to write for the internet (Nielsen)
4) A right mix of inspiratinal media (pictures, movie and so on)

By: Fitness

Fitness — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:28:05 +0000

That is some good advice. I have always been confused by the style of writing that is needed to make a mass following. First my thought was that top level English was whats needed. Then I soon realized that was not the case. I then switched on to plain English according to some blog tips I read on a blogging blog. That was not doing well for my affiliate business. This seems to be a good advice to increase my CTR and warm up my readers for an action like subscribing to my blog or getting a affiliate product

By: NeoTechie

NeoTechie — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:07:09 +0000

Writing useful and relevant content contribute to great content.

By: Karla Heaman

Karla Heaman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:06 +0000

Thanks for this great resource! My formal training has been in nursing and natural health which do not focus on great writing skills. I am going to enjoy learning how to bring the information I research to my readers with greater writing style!

Karla

By: Maya

Maya — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:07:42 +0000

Another great post, so much for me to improve my writing.
Thank you for the links too.

By: Rita

Rita — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:54:29 +0000

This is interesting. I’ll check out the list. As a journalist, I use contractions. They’re supposed to make your writing less formal, more friendly.

Rita blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

By: Timberland shoes

Timberland shoes — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:18:31 +0000

I think this could help me focus a reader’s attention on something I want to matter in the post.

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:22:02 +0000

As a home-schooling mom (for 20 years now) I found this interesting because a lot of home educators have been focusing on the rediscovery of the classical teaching methods including rhetoric. I am working on getting up my own home-schooling website; maybe I can incorporate this post some day!

By: Patrick Riddle

Patrick Riddle — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:17:31 +0000

Jenny … the names of the rhetorical devices are pretty ridiculous … that’s why I suggested my names for asyndeton (don’t-use-a-conjunction-ton) and polysyndeton (over-use-of-conjunction-ton) … aren’t they much easier to remember that way :)

Karen … I had to look up “antimitabole” … that’s a good one … I’ll have to give it a try myself.

~ Patrick

By: Ken Siew

Ken Siew — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:52:35 +0000

This post comes just in time for me, I’m writing a new blog post and trying to use several rhetorical techniques to improve my writing, although I haven’t really studied their formal names.

This also reminds me of an article I read about President Obama using the 3-point technique he used in his victory speech. For instance, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. ”

He used it pretty often in his speech and I find it very effective and I try to do the same in my posts as well. I probably won’t remember the names of most of the rhetorical devices, but I’d do some testing and see which ones would stick with my readers better. Feel free to comment on my posts and see if any of them is more effective or the other way round.

As for this guest post, I think it’s concise and has great content. Great examples are definitely good stuffs to include in writing. Keep up the good work man!

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:50:35 +0000

Diacope, antimitabole, Onomatopoeia. I am going to try these three. Although I cannot pronounce them.

By: Celeng Lewat

Celeng Lewat — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:41:06 +0000

As a teacher of speech and rhetoric, I am beyond excited to see rhetoric being put forward as an important tool for good writing – without trying to disguise rhetoric as something else more “trendy”. Thank you!!!

Another good way to think about quality blog posts is to think about Aristotle’s three cornerstones – logos, pathos, ethos – content, passion, and credibility. If posts have those three elements, they will carry the day.

Thank you for your thoughtful and intelligent approach to writing.

By: Remba The Immaculate

Remba The Immaculate — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:39:15 +0000

Another very useful post. Rhetoric is a powerful tool. Content by itself won’t pique the reader’s interest. It needs that extra something.

By: Nadira Haniff

Nadira Haniff — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:31:06 +0000

‘Command of the language’ has been a mantra of mine for years. I have seen so many marketers (gurus) diminish the use of ‘writing skill’. And of course, I vehemently disagree!

I grew up respecting language and today more than ever, I constantly seek to improve on methods & techniques to take better command of the language,captivate an audience and move them to action.

Great post. Very useful content. Well done.