How Do I Improve My Writing

8/12/2019 How Do I Improve My Writing

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How Do I Improve My Writing

Obviously, you have to write with clarity and have a good idea or points to raise. However, it is the

structure of your writing that also matters.

1) Start a new paragraph when you need to: TiPTOptime, person, topic, place2) If you are writing a short story, we want to see characterization and voice come through. Note: only use dialogue if it is purposeful to the story i.e. rather than telling me twp characters

have apoor relationship, we see it through the dialogue. Ex: A Hero

3) Vary your types of sentences: simple, compound, complex.a. Simple1 independent clause

i. Do well on your exams.b. Compound2 simple sentences (2 independent clauses) joined by a semi-colon or a

comma and a coordinating conjunction

i.

She must study for her exams, or she will regret it.ii. She didnt study for her exams; she got a poor mark.

c. Complex1 independent clause and 1 dependent clause (not a complete thought)i. If you want to do well on your exams, you must work hard.

ii. Although I studied all night, I still wasnt ready.iii. Any of these words used at the start of a sentence will make it a complex

sentence: because, although, When, While, if etc

4) Avoid comma splices and run-on sentences:a. Comma spliceis when you join two independent clauses together with only a comma

i. It was hot, the students didnt feel like working. (This is wrong)b. You can fix a comma splice in the following ways:i. It was hot; the students didnt feel like working.

ii. It was hot, so the students didnt feel like working.iii. It was hot. The students didnt feel like working.

c. Run-on sentencewhen you join two independent clauses together without anypunctuation

i. It was hot the students didnt feel like working.1. You can fix it the same way you fix a comma splice.

5) Use a variety of end punctuationa. ! ? .

6) Use a variety of punctuation throughout.a. Semi-colon

i. To join two independent sentences1. My daughter was very sick; I sped to the hospital.

ii. To join two independent sentences with a subordinating conjunction andcomma (words such as: therefore, however, nevertheless).


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1. You can prepare your child the best you can; nevertheless, the choice istheirs in the end.

b. Dashi. To interrupt a sentence (almost like an aside)

1. Todayno, yesterday- I arrived late to school.2. You should neverand I mean never- talk to strangers.3. Studyingoh the agony- is never-ending.

ii. After a listing at the beginning of a sentence with a sentence after it thatexplains the list

1. Studying, doing homework, having to do what others tell youthis isthe life of a typical teenager.

c. Coloni. To emphasize a word but there must be a complete sentence before it

1. There is only way I can describe studying for my IGCSE exams: torture.ii. To list a bunch of items at the end of a complete sentence

1. I went to the party with a bunch of my friends: Sally, Ann and Debbie.2. Do not put a colon after a verb:

a. My school has: a pool, science lab and ICT lab. (Wrong)b. My school has the following facilities: a pool, science lab and ICT

lab.

7) Use connectives within your paragraphs and between your paragraphsa. Moreoverb. Finallyc. Alsod. Additionallye. Howeverf. Whereasg. Nexth. In additioni. Afterj. Etc

8) Vary the way you start your sentencesa. Dont always begin with the subjectb. Try starting with aning phrase

i. Racing out the door, my sister forgot her school bag.c. Try starting with an infinitive phrase (To + verb)

i. To achieve high marks, you must study, take good notes and revise often.d. Try starting with a prepositional phrase

i. From my bedroom window, I could see the blue sea stretch out for eternity.9) Use descriptive language

a. Adjectivesb. Adverbsquickly, suddenly clumsily


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c. Throw in a metaphor or similed. Use personificationthe sun smiled down on us.

10)For persuasive writinga. Use a tripletidea repeated 3 ways

i. It is not the end of the school year yet, so dont become lazy, irresponsible orcareless too soon.

b. Ask a rhetorical questionc. Offer an incentive

i. If you study hard now, you can relax over the summer feeling guilt free knowingyou tried your best.

d. Use alliterationi. Serious, sensitive students work diligently.

e. Direct addressi. You and We

f. Expert or celebrity reference11)Remember in all writing to inform or describe or persuade tasks give a specific example or

anecdote

12)Spelling counts13)Write clearly so the examiner can read it.

This website goes over different types of writing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/writing/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/writing/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/writing/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/writing/

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