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GOAL:
To become a concise writer.
This
requires objectivity when writing. It also requires the writer to step
back and proof-read as though someone else wrote what you are reading.
You
need to ask: Do I understand what I just read? Does it make sense? Are any
of the sentences too long or confusing?
No
matter what you write, the first step toward exceptional writing is:
Proof-read,
proof-read, proof-read!
Use
spell-check and proof-read
again!
Guidelines
to remember:
-
Be
consistent with verb tenses throughout a sentence.
-
Avoid
repetition of the same word in the same sentence or in sentences
immediately following. Consult a thesaurus for synonyms to improve
your word choices.
-
Separate
items in a series by commas and use a comma before the conjunction
e.g. red, blue, green, and yellow.
-
Capital
letters are only used mid-sentence for the proper names of persons,
places or things.
-
Know
the difference in the words “affect” and “effect” and use them
correctly.
-
Avoid
the use of contractions when writing. Use cannot instead of can’t or
it is instead of it’s.
-
Hyphenate
two-word adjectives, e.g. pre-war era.
-
Avoid
the use of symbols when writing. Spell out what you want to say, e.g.
% = percentage, &= and, # = number.
-
Avoid
writing a sentence without action, i.e. those that have no verb.
These become sentence fragments and are incomplete thoughts.
-
Be
careful using words such as: secondly, thirdly, fourthly or lastly. An
adverb is a word that answers how, when, or where. Adverbs are rarely
if ever used to begin a sentence.
-
Avoid
using words such as: way more, like, kind of, most favorite, now a
days. A better way to express these thoughts are: additionally,
similar to, most desirable, today.
-
Avoid
using the following words to begin sentences:
There
For example
Because
Of course
Also
Lastly
And
Then
As for
But
Sometimes
Although
It is
There is
And that
But there are
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