sikilmahfud

If you ask this question to Australian or US people, you’ll be ridiculed. So, I write this article especially for Indonesian people, because that’s my native country, and just some people can write English well in my country (including me?? Hehe..). I’ll tell you my experience writing my blog using English.

Actually, I have no willing to write my blog with English language. I prefer to write my blog using Indonesian. Because it’s more expressive, easier, and faster. But the reason why I write English, look at my Google ads in the left side of my blog! It’s good reason. As you know, with joining with Google ads program, you must write in languages that provided by Google, for example: Germany, Denmark, English, and Chinese. Unfortunately, there’s not my own language there. So of course, I choose English. The other reason, I want my blog is known by people in other countries.

Do I find difficulties (look, not difficulty)? Of course! Even until now, I must open my dictionary when I write English. Okay, here are the tips:

1. Spend one night for one article, if you can’t write English spontaneously. It makes you more focus for writing. If you can’t, one article even can spend in two or three night. It’s no problem. It happens when you write English at first or, the article that you’ll write are difficult article. For example, when I write Chernobyl disaster. It’s the most difficult article that I write.

2. Use dictionary. It’s the most important. As you know, I always prepare two kinds of dictionary: English – Indonesian and Indonesian – English. English – Indonesian to find English words that I don’t understand (exactly, to make sure the word that I use), and the others to find the proper synonym.

3. If you’re using Microsoft Word program to write, you’re lucky. This program provide auto correction program to correct your word. Look! If your word is underlined with red line, it means that your word is false in spelling. If your word (or sentence) is underlined with green line, it means that your word or sentence is false in grammar.

4. Use quotation mark if you don’t find the proper term. For example: It’s the most ‘heavier’ article that I write. (the other alternative: It’s the most difficult article that I write). But don’t too much, because it makes people that write your article think that you can’t write. Ideally, at least just one or two.

5. Notice the term that you’ll use. If you want your article is written by common people, use common term too, and vice versa. In the other word, use the proper synonym. For example:
- Decrease or diminish?
- Develop or thrive?
- Famous or eminent?
- Great or tremendous?
- Happiness or hilarious?
- Solid or stiff?
- Healthy and strong, or husky and lusty?
- Peak or summit?
- Torn or ruptured?
- Victim or prey?
Wow, I must open my dictionary again!

6. Notice grammar. Don’t make the other people that write your article become confuse. So, you must practice about grammar, because it’s the basic.

7. Avoid plagiarism. If you want to write science article, of course you must search the other source like Wikipedia. I suggest, read and understand the source first, and then write it in your own style. If you just copy and paste, you get nothing.

8. Check your article again after you finish.

The most important things, you must practice more and more. First article, second article, third article, you’ll find difficulties. Nothing is instant. But look! After you finish the twelfth article or more, try to write spontaneous article, not using dictionary. It’s the process. Nothing is impossible. Let’s try!