Writing tips
Here are some general tips to help develop great writing skills.
General
Basically, the English text is easy in terms of reading and understanding. Great writers use simple and clear English phrases and words.
When you write, bear these things in mind:
- Define the purpose of writing.
- Is it formal or informal writing?
- Use simple and clear structures.
- Use simple language.
- Write structured paragraphs and essays (with a topic sentence, supporting ideas, and a concluding sentence).
- Use different types of sentences (simple, compound, and complex sentences).
- Use active more than the passive voice.
- Don’t use too many dependant clauses.
- Avoid using idiomatic expressions.
- Don’t use slang.
Sentence writing
KISS your sentences, which means keep them short and simple.
A sentence always includes a subject, verb, and a complement (which might optional if the verb is intransitive).
Examples:
- She is crying.
- She knows the guy very well.
Your sentences may include subordinate clauses (relative clauses, if clauses…).
Examples:
- She didn’t go to school yesterday (because she is very sick).
- If I had had enough time, I would have attended the meetings.
Paragraph writing
When writing paragraphs, bear this in mind:
- Focus on the main idea.
- Your topic sentence must be clear and understood (topic sentence).
- All other sentences must support the topic sentence (supporting ideas).
- The last sentence should conclude your paragraph (concluding sentence).
Text writing
Any typical text would include these elements:
- (title)
- introduction
- main part
- conclusion
- Make your writings interesting to the reader.
- Vary the lengths of your sentences.
- Use short sentences to explain and elaborate on unclear ideas.
- Use punctuation and capitalization.
- Avoid one-sentence paragraph.
Here are some options to structure your texts:
- Start from general to specific or from specific to general.
- From the most to the least important or vice versa.
- From the known to unknown facts or vice versa.
- Chronological events
Process writing
Writing is a systematic process. As a writer, you have to follow these steps:
- Brainstorming
- Organizing and categorizing ideas
- Making an outline.
- Writing the first draft.
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Final draft.
Types of Writing
- Paragraph
- Descriptive essay
- Argumentative essay
- Persuasive essay
- Expository essay
- Letters (personal and business letters)
- Report
- Film review
- Book review
- Biography
Related topics:
- Punctuation and capitalization rules
- Topic sentence
- Latin words for effective writing
- Useful words for top-notch essays
- Commonly used linking words in writing
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