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The worst way to begin a text: In capter 1, we will describe ..., then in chapter 2 we will take a look at ..., and then in chapter 3, we ...
The worst way to begin a text: In capter 1, we will describe ..., then in chapter 2 we will take a look at ..., and then in chapter 3, we ...
I agree, somewhat. It's also a question of how one approaches writing: pansing vs plotting. Some authors, like Stephen King, swear by pansing and begin by forcing themselves to produce a certain number or words; whether it starts with character development or the plot, they exercise their powers of putting words on paper. Some authors, like J.K. Rowling, take a different approach and begin with sketching, diagraming,…
I'm sorry, "pansing"? Is that a typo?
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I pride myself on my pancake-making ability, and I completely agree with you: The pan is usually not hot enough. What I like to do is use Kerrygold butter, turn the heat on the burner higher than it should be, and wait until just before the butter starts to burn. Remove the pan from the heat, turn the burner down, and put your first batch in the pan. Also, make note of the temperature settings you use for next time.…
I bought a infrared thermometer as a gadget, and have found it to be invaluable for cooking.
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Hand under running kitchen sink. Shake on frying pan If droplets wiggle and bounce -> pan hot enough.
(The Leidenfrost effect ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leidenfrost_effect) )
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I first heard this expression in Russian, "первый блин комом", is it actually used in English as well? Interestingly, Google actually translates this to "better luck next time" instead of "the first pancake will be a lump/clod"
We do use "better luck next time," so perhaps the translator is trying to be idiomatic.
Perhaps that was the first cloddy attempt?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I pride myself on my pancake-making ability, and I completely agree with you: The pan is usually not hot enough. What I like to do is use Kerrygold butter, turn the heat on the burner higher than it should be, and wait until just before the butter starts to burn. Remove the pan from the heat, turn the burner down, and put your first batch in the pan. Also, make note of the temperature settings you use for next time.…
I bought a infrared thermometer as a gadget, and have found it to be invaluable for cooking.
I've also heard this as, "Cut the first chapter from your novel, that's where all the boring stuff is."
Summary: "just start typing. ... delete until the first sentence is suitable to begin the text." That's a useful training aid, but shouldn't be necessary every time. After a few tries, starting an essay or post should be automatic. Writing a coherent essay is usually taught in high school. Strunk's classic "The Elements of Style" remains useful. This problem afflicts some how-to videos. Starting with "Hi, how are you…
That's my experience for the kind of essays they expect in college, but I when I want to write something for public consumption it's going to take more effort. The coherent essay that you learned to write and high school and served well in college may be informative, but it's still going to be boring. Capturing interest is still hard even once you have the mechanics of essay structure down.
Or at least it is for me. I'm less than fond of Strunk & White. These days I'd recommend Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace over Elements of Style.
As for the "hi", that actually does serve a purpose in one-way mediums. It takes time for our brains to adapt to the speech of a new speaker, so it's common to miss the first thing that someone says. But if everyone says "hi" first, then your brain has a split-second to adapt to new voices before hearing something new and interesting.