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Ten Tips for
Better Writing
1. Express
yourself in positive language. Say what is, not what is not.
2. Use transitions between paragraphs. Transitions tie one
paragraph
to the next.
- A transition can be a word, like later, furthermore, additionally,
or moreover; a phrase like After this incident...; or an entire
sentence.
- If you are writing about Topic A and now want to discuss Topic B, you can begin the new
paragraph with a transition such as "Like (or unlike) Topic A, Topic B..."
3. Vary your
sentence structure. It's boring to see subject, verb, object all the time. Mix simple,
complex, and compound sentences.
4. Understand the words you write. You write to communicate, not
to impress the admissions staff with your vocabulary. When you choose a word that means
something other than what you intend, you neither communicate nor impress. You do convey
the wrong message or convince the admissions officer that you are inarticulate.
5. Look up synonyms in a thesaurus when you use the same word
repeatedly. After the DELETE key, the thesaurus is your best friend. As long as you follow
Tip 4, using one will make your writing more interesting.
6. Be succinct. Compare:
- During my sophomore and junior years, there was significant development of my
maturity and markedly improved self-discipline towards school work.
- During my sophomore and junior years, I matured and my self-discipline improved
tremendously.
The first example takes many more words to give the same information. The admissions
officers are swamped; they do not want to spend more time than necessary reading your
essay. Say what you have to say in as few words as possible. Tips 7, 8, and 9 will help
you to implement this suggestion.
7. Make every
word count. Do not repeat yourself. Each sentence and every word should state something
new.
8. Avoid qualifiers such as rather, quite, somewhat,
probably, possibly, etc.
- You might improve your writing somewhat if you sometimes try to follow this
suggestion.
The example contains nonsense. Deleting unnecessary qualifiers will strengthen your
writing 1000%. Equivocating reveals a lack of confidence. If you do not believe what you
write, why should the admissions officer?
9. Use the active voice. Compare:
- The application was sent by the student. (Passive voice)
- The student sent the application. (Active voice)
They both communicate the same information. The active voice, however, is more concise;
it specifies who is performing the action and what is the object. The passive voice is
wordier and frequently less clear.
10. Read and
reread Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White. Containing basic
rules of grammar, punctuation, composition, and style, this indispensable classic is
available in paperback and is only eighty-five pages long.
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