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Help writing an article.


Earl

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Im terrible at writing, been dyslexic, creating sentances and paragraph structure in a clear manner for others to read is quiet a challenge for me.

Its one of the reasons I come accros somewhat bulletpointed and blunt.

Like this.

The Local Parish have offered me a writeup in the Parish Newletter on security lights and light pollution etc, this is a great oppertunity to provide some education as its a very popular read here.

Im not looking for someone to write it, I will manage that but some input would be greatly appreciatd as Id like this to be really benefical for the community. ( NOT just me ! )

Im thinking

What is light polution, and what forms does it come in.

Why Light pollution is bad and inconsiderate on others in the community.

Why do we light our properties and the best ways to do so to avoid light spillage, be economcal with energy and have security concerns all covered at once.

What are bad solutions.

I will avoid dicsussion of street lighting as we have none, so best to let that sleeping dog catch its zz's ;)

Multiple edits LOL

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I think it's beneficial to frame such pieces in terms of the benefits of reducing light pollution and unnecessary lighting.  Point out that there are negative aspects, certainly, but don't go at it hammer and tongs.  People are far more likely to be motivated to change their behaviour if they feel that they're doing something that can be positive to them rather than refraining from doing something that's a negative to others, if you see what I mean.  The obvious benefits might obviously include being able to see the night sky properly, but also perhaps the benefits to nature and to better sleep.

I guess it has to be worth a brief mention that there's no evidence of security lighting actually reducing crime.  I know our local police say that it just makes thieves' lives easier because they can see what they're doing without drawing attention to themselves by flashing torches around.  And there are the legal issues when lighting becomes a nuisance to others.

James

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I guess one might also point out that whilst insurance companies often require or give reduced premiums for having decent door and window locks, at least in my experience they don't give a monkeys about security lighting which might well suggest that they don't believe it does any good.

James

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If you're going to include a "call to action" (i.e. suggest people do a certain thing), then it's vitally important to answer the WIIFM question: What's in it for me. That means spelling out what benefits or rewards the person doing something will, themselves, get for doing it. But remember no rational arguments can overcome basic fear. :Envy:

If you can include examples of people / places that have already followed your suggestions, then so much the better.

Other than that, short punchy sentences are more effective than long ones. Have an introduction of a few sentences that lays out what you're going to say. Then the body of your piece and a short summary. This style is often known as:

Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em

Tell 'em

Tell 'em what you told 'em.

Good luck - and if you can include some illustrations, they are often more effective than lots of words.

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You can major on energy saved with PIR sensors. Research as to how much electricity halogen lights use. Also you can write about the right sort of domestic outdoor  lighting, and how it should be positioned.

Whenever I go past a house and see a light pointing directly downward with no upward light spill, I feel like popping a fiver through their letterbox! :)

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Im terrible at writing, been dyslexic, creating sentances and paragraph structure in a clear manner for others to read is quiet a challenge for me.

I wouldn't worry, Earl, seriously. I understand everything you write and I hear your voice. What more can be asked for?

I don't have any advice but the way I figure is that if you're honest to the bottom of your entrails and you communicate this honesty, you have a most excellent chance of being a very good thinker and writer.

What often goes down as 'good' writing is ultimately what I call 'academic'. It's the type of writing that moves around the dots, the arguments, and the opinions. If you write in this fashion, you're doing something like shuffling, or trumping, or busting something. The game's fundamental rule is to mimick the discourse given but in such a way that it looks like you haven't just copied it straight :grin: .

So I say just write it, mate. Then read it out loud and cut what sounds bad to you, then go over it again and cut out all the messy adjectives and adverbs. As Chekhov noted, scissors are a writers best friend :smiley:

And dyslexic, pah! I'm always getting my mucking words fuddled up :grin:

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All good advice above, Earl, especially Pete and Qualia.

I used to write/edit/sub-edit for a living and there's nothing to beat the honest-to-goodness approach.

A couple of pieces of advice I was given a thousand years ago have always stood me in good stead:

'Don't write because you have to say something - write because you have something to say'

and

'Keep your words soft and sweet - you never know when you may have to eat them'

Best of luck with your scribing. I'm sure you'll do just fine.

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