writing tips. 1. active! text should be written in the active voice, not the passive voice. fix...
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WRITING TIPS
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1. ACTIVE!
Text should be written in the active voice, not the passive voice.
FIX
Funds were raised for the American Cancer Society’s annual drive.
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2. Participles
Avoiding verbs+ing (participles) as much as possible is wise.
Acceptable: The ACS was expending effort to raise funds for its annual drive.
Better: The ACS expended effort to raise funds for its annual drive.
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3. Don’t Split Verbs
Do not regularly split verbs. Split Verb: She had longingly waited for that
“special day.” Better: She had waited longingly for that
“special day.”
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4. Infinitives
Do not split infinitives (to + verb) to better explain your point.
Split infinitive: to better understand, to simultaneously change
Better: to understand better, to change simultaneously.
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5. Sexism
Guys should avoid sexist terminology.
Only refer to gender when it is necessary, otherwise use neutral nouns and pronouns (individuals, one, people, etc.)
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6. Contractions
Don’t use contractions in formal writing.
It’s more acceptable, formal and educated sounding to avoid contractions, so you shouldn’t use them.
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7. Proofread
Proofreed your works very carefully for both spelling and correct grammar.
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8. Tenses
All verb tenses should agrees. Pick one (past or present tense) and stick with it.
John entered the library. He speaks to the librarian. Finally, John chooses a book.
John entered the library. He spoke to the librarian. Finally, John chose a book.
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9. ?
One should avoid rhetorical questions, don’t you think? They sound tiresome, don’t they?
(2 errors)
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10. Commas
Comma splices are common mistakes made by undergraduates, consequently, when one has two independent clauses, the use of a semi-colon is preferable over a comma.
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11. Fragments
That students use sentence fragments is unacceptable.
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12. You
You should avoid the use of the second person pronoun when writing because it comes across as talking at you rather than communicating with you.
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13. Alliteration
Avoid alliteration. Always. (in formal writing-essays.)
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14. Prepositions
Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
Where are you at?
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15. Clichés
Avoid clichés like the plague. They are old hat.
Cliché- a trite or overused expression or idea.
Face the music needle in a haystack strong as an ox easier said than done
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EXAMPLES
Face the music Strong as an ox Needle in a haystack Easier said than done Better late than never Ripe old age Gentle as a lamb
Green with envy Hard as a rock Shoulder the burden Untimely death Add insult to injury At the drop of a hat Like the pot calling the
kettle black
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16. Language
Employ the vernacular.
Use plain,everyday, clear language.
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17. Short-cuts
Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
Do not use & or abbreviations et cetera.
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18. Parenthesis
Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
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19. Foreign words
Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
Fitting; at the right time
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20. Generalizations
One should never generalize.
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21. Quotations
Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.”
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22. Comparisons
Comparisons are as bad as clichés.
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23. Repetition
Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous.
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24. Specify
Be more or less specific.
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25. Sentences
One-word sentences? Eliminate.
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26. Analogies
Analogies in formal writing are like feathers on a snake.
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27. Colloquialisms
Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal; involving or using conversation.
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28. Metaphors
Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
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29. Exaggeration
Exaggeration in formal writing is a billion times worse than understatement.