General Writing
Editing and Proofreading Checklist
When you begin editing and proofreading your text, start with larger problems, such as clarity and structure. Make your focus increasingly narrower as you work. Focus on your overall points or arguments, then paragraphs, then sentences. After you have edited for content, structure, and quality, move on to proofreading for grammar. Editing Content is accurate,…
How to Write an Academic Research Paper
One of the main staples of academic writing is the research paper. The focus of this type of paper is on the student’s ability to formulate an idea, back up his or her points with research, and succinctly and correctly argue in favor of the point. Here are common elements of research papers: Introduction and…
Parts of Speech
Nouns – Words used to represent a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples: Cat, mountain, boy, Fred, scissors, freedom Pronoun – Words that are used in place of a noun: I, me, he, him, she, her, it, we, us, they, them, and you. Example: Instead of John went to the store, He went to the…
Conventions and Style for Better Writing
Once you’ve mastered the basics of grammar and tone for your type of writing, there are specific stylistic writing conventions you can use to make anything you write better. Here are some ways to improve your writing for maximum impact: Specific One of the biggest impacts on quality of writing is whether or not it…
Prewriting
No matter what you are writing, it can be difficult to begin without first taking time to organize your thoughts. This organization is often called prewriting. Why Prewrite? You could probably start writing your business letter, research paper, or short story immediately without taking time to think through it and plan; however, prewriting significantly decreases…
Parts of a Sentence
Independent Clause – A clause containing both a subject and a predicate, meaning that it can stand alone as a complete and grammatically correct sentence. Dependent Clause – A clause that contains only a subject or a predicate, meaning that it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Subject – What or whom the sentence is…
How to Write a Compelling Title in 5 Easy Steps
The title is the most important part of a piece of writing. The title is the bait, and to hook a reader, you must give them something they want to bite. Think about a fancy French bakery, what is it that makes you go inside? Most of all, it’s that glorious aroma that wakes the…
Steps to Make Your Writing More Concise
No matter how much experience you have with the English language, writing concisely is not easy. It can cause some writers so much frustration that they wish to give up. However, just because it is difficult does not mean that it is impossible. You have to do what you can, and starting somewhere can get…
How to Write Conversationally
Speaking is a skill that comes fairly naturally to most people. However, writing often seems to be more difficult. It’s not always easy to put your thoughts into writing, but if you can make you tone conversational, it will be easier for you to formulate your thoughts and for others to understand what you are…
How Long Should a Paragraph Be?
Paragraphs, and the sentences that shape them, are perhaps the most important way to give writing direction. Every paragraph needs to have a main point, idea, or focus. This applies to both fiction and non-fiction alike. While fiction will traditionally use paragraphs to direct the reader, develop characters and themes, and move the story along,…