Use Transitions, Signposting for Better Paragraphs

When, writing a paragraph, use transitions and signposting to link your ideas.

Linking, as we saw in our previous articles on cohesion and coherence, is key to clear and persuasive writing.

Learn how to use transitions and signposting to improve your writing today!

Transitions

Transitions in clear and concise paragraphs help you convey information by establishing logical connections between sentences and paragraphs in your papers...

Read more.

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Use Good Word Choice + #Video

Word choice is one of the most important skills for a writer. 

It is important that the words you use be precise and clearly communicate your meaning.

How to Practice Good Word Choice

Writingis a series of choices.

Every writer uses a certain style to convey thoughts and ideas to the reader.

However, there are certain principles to follow in order to effect good word choice in writing.

Consider The Art of Styling Sentences (affiliate) to help you write better sentences.

Avoid misuse of words

Example: What affect did the proposal have on the community?

Better:  What effect did the proposal have on the community?

Avoid jargon or technical terms

Example: The boss really opened the kimono this morning by firing half of her assistants.

Better: The boss went crazy this morning eliminating half of her assistants.

Avoid confusing pronoun reference

Example: Luz put the cat outside with the dog and then fed it. The dog or cat?

Better: Luz put the cat outside with the dog and then fed the cat.

Avoid wordiness.

Example: Ivan came to the realization that he would never pass college chemistry.

Better: Ivan realized he would never pass college chemistry.

Follow these four principles and you will be able to remove confusion and to bring clarity to your writing.

Consider The Art of Styling Sentences (affiliate) to help you write better sentences.

More Good Word Choice Practices: Video

Conclusion

Crisp word choice is another reason a strong vocabulary is indispensable to solid power writing.

Whether academic or plain everyday writing, avoiding jargon, and effecting the correct tone can significantly impact your writing.

Check out this worksheet to practice better word choice.

Continue to write and gradually reduce your mistakes and you will produce magical copy in no time!

Check out our English Writing Clinic to boost your writing to a new level now!

Get a free chapter of my vocabulary eBook

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Use Good Word Choice + #Video

11 Texts to Sharpen Your Writing Skills

Do you really want to improve your writing skills?

Consider these resources below to help you better your wrting.

Read on!

Writing Essentials

Writing can be divided into four  essentials. I examine each of them more in-depth with specific recommendations.

First, the dictionary and thesaurus are a writer's best friends. Words are abundant, but which words is most adequate is always a judgement call.

Second, the style of writing for greatest impact is always a question. Books on writing point the way.

Third, spot-on grammar usage is a given for writers. From time to time, even the best writer has a doubt that needs clarification.

 Finally, a strong vocabulary is a requirement for anyone who wants to excel at composing memos, stories, essays, or any document imagineable.

Writer's Best Friends

A dictionary and one thesaurus come to mind when I need le mot juste (right word) as the French say.

Get this old reliable for university students in the U.S. for many years.

When you need a precise word, Roget is always there to help!

You can't go wrong with these two friends beside you as you compose on the keyboard.

Styling Your Writing

While you may be a wordsmith with a dictionary and thesaurus, you still need to combine words into a potent mix to precisely communicate your message. I recommend these three texts to my own students when they need help with their writing.

	This gem was prepared for all writers no matter their level of expertise.
	Use this text to help you vary your sentences which makes your writing more interesting to you, and your reader!
	For some reason, this classic is not as popular as before, but you cannot go wrong reading the vivid examples to sharpen your writing.

If you choose one of the selections above, you cannot go wrong following the sage advice between the bookcovers to immediately impact your writing.

English Grammar Usage

While grammar may not anyone's favorite topic, solid structure and correct usage of English are inescapable facts of life for writers. Consider these three choices the next time you have an English grammar doubt.

	Azar is synonymous with English grammar. Don't doubt it!
	Mignon Fogarty has built a solid reputation for tackling prickly grammar doubts.
	I am biased, but if you want an easy text to solve your grammar questions, my text is handy!

Between these three excellent texts, you will be able to answer most of your English grammar questions which writers face.

English Vocabulary

I am an admitted logophile (word lover). While I understand not all share the same passion, every writer has to be some sort of word maven. A strong vocabulary is indispensable to precisely communicate ideas, thoughts, and emotions to those around us. There are three vocabulary books which I love and trust to help you increase your word power, one word at a time.

	The systematic cultivation of rich words is undeniable in this text.
	The acquisition of a vocabualry should be made this fun and easy!
	Again, I am biased but I pack 30 chapters by themes with 10 words each to make sure you learn essential terms.

Comfortably read these texts on your Fire HD 7

Conclusion

I hope you consider these resources to improve your own writing.

While no text can replace actual practice to write well, you sure can enhance your skills to communicate superbly in writing by having these texts at your fingertips.

Links to Amazon are affiliate. A portion of a purchase supports this author.

Get off to a great start on your Analytical Writing Assement task on the GMAT®.

Check out the Fabulous 5 essay tips now!


The AWA GMAT® is the first hour of the grueling exam.

While some do not consider the two essays as a prime factor in your acceptance to B-School by the Admissions Committee, a bad start colors the rest of your exam experience. 

I see too  many of my students who are just not ready for the writing on the AWA GMAT®.

Fab 5 Do’s on AWA GMAT®

Therefore, I compiled these quick 5 Fab Do’s to help you prepare now for the big test day.

View the presentation to get 5 my quick tips to help you.

Fab 5 Do’s on AWA GMAT® from Hilda E. Colby

When to Prepare for IELTS Writing

Welcome to our continued series about the IELTS Writing section.

In our previous article, we discussed the importantce of the IELTS exam for upwardly mobile elite professionals who see the whole world as their playing field.

The need to demonstrate English proficiency with a credit like the IELTS or TOEFL is indispensable in our interdependent global economy.

Our focus is on writing success on the IELTS. I see too many students ill-prepared for the challenge to produce solid responses to writing Tasks 1 and 2. 

Timing: Preparing for IELTS Writing

As the saying goes, timing is everything. It is even truer for the IELTS.

The writing section of the exam lasts 60 minutes. 

That may seem like a lot of time for Tasks 1 and 2, but  you need to start training for the big day much earlier than you imagine.

I suggest my students start at least three months before the exam date for two principal reasons:

• Build a strong vocabulary


• Practice under test conditions

Let’s take a look at each of these elements to your success on the exam.
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Build Strong Vocabulary for IELTS Writing

A robust lexicon is the foundation of solid writing skills.

Growing your vocabulary is not an overnight proposition. 

Really, cultivating strong word power is a lifelong adventure. Indeed, some observers have accurately pointed out how increasing your word repertoire accrues many advantages given your “wealth of words.” 

Some read to build their vocabulary and that is a strategy most educators embrace.

However, for the IELTS Writing, you usually do not have the time enough for our purposes.

An alternative strategy is direct learning using a vocabulary text with thematic lists of words. When you learn words associated with a particular subject, you are bound to remember them better. 

Given the normal narrow time window to maximize your writing score on the exam, embrace this strategy! You can master keywords to help you impress the IELTS examiners.

Watch this excellent video for more vocabulary tips.

Practice Responses for IELTS Writing

A second strategy to approach the writing part of the exam is to be accustomed to the time limits.

You have 20 minutes to complete Task 1, descriibing trends in charts, graphs or diagrams.

You have 40 minutes to complete Task 2, producing an expressive essay.

However, Task 2 counts more toward your actual final score on the IELTS writing than Task1!

One of the outcomes for my Ecourse to maximize your score on the writing exam is to learn how to manage your time wisely, a challenge for many test candidates.

Hint: Practice relentlessly using the exam’s time limits so when test day arrives you feel at ease and do not buckle to the time pressure.

Conclusion

In sum, if you anticipate taking the IELTS in the near future, start today! Take the test. Don’t let the test take you!

I wish you the best of luck on the IELTS. Please stay tuned to this space for more hints and tips coming up soon.

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Grab your IELTS Academic Writing Cheat Sheet today! 

Writing a Paragraph /5: Transitions, Signposting

When, writing a paragraph, use transitions and signposting to link your ideas. 

Linking, as we saw in our previous articles on cohesion and coherence, is key to clear and persuasive writing.

Learn how to use transitions and signposting to improve your writing today!

Transitions

Transitions in clear and concise paragraphs help you convey information by establishing logical connections between sentences and paragraphs in your papers.

Transitions:

• are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next;


• are used by the author to help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next;


• show the relationship within a paragraph (or within a sentence) between the main idea

Make the last sentence in your paragraphs lead into the next paragraph. This transition tells the reader what to expect in the next paragraph.

Read On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition  on your Fire HD 7, 7″ HD Display for more professional and polished writing!

Another way to signal the direction of your written argument is to use signposting << (transition sentence).

Signposting

Like traffic signs, signage in your writing directs the reader to your argument.

Signposting uses words to tell your reader about the content of your essay, rather than just telling them the content itself.

Signposting creates clarity while  writing your paragraph in particular and your overall paper in general.

Simply adding a few connecting words makes your paper more readable. 

Example: Having examined the role of the taxes in the decline of business activity, it is now necessary to consider the effects of excessive government spending on the solvency of the city.

Read Keys to Great Writing on your Fire HD 7, 7″ HD Display for more professional and polished writing!

Notice how the sentence links the previous discussion (role of taxes) with the next topic (effects of government spending). 

Signposting often occurs :

• In the introduction


• At the beginning of a paragraph which develops a new idea


• At the beginning of a paragraph which expands on a previous idea


• At the beginning of a paragraph which offers a contrasting viewpoint


• At the end of a paragraph to sum up an idea


• In the conclusion

When enumerating a  list of factors, signposting occurs with  ‘sequence markers’ ( Firstly , Secondly, Thirdly). These markers help remind the reader of your points. 

Here are other examples of signposting you may use to help guide your reader to understand the arguments in your paper:

Highlighting or emphasising a point Importantly, … Indeed, … In fact, …	Being more specific In particular, … In relation to … More specifically, …	Changing direction,creating a comparisonHowever, … Rather, … In contrast, …
Giving an example For instance, … For example, … this can be illustrated by …	Summarizing Finally, … Lastly, … In conclusion, …

If you need help to boost your writing, we can help! Visit our English Writing Clinic today!

Conclusion

Now you have two more tools to polish your paragraphs and make your writing more understandable to your reader.

Start adding transitions and signpostting words to build coherence and cohesion. Your readers will thank you!

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If you need help to boost your writing, we can help! Visit our English Writing Clinic today!

photo credit: “Winspit Cove, Dorset”, H Matthew Howart/flickr/CC license 2.0
Writing a Paragraph /5: Transitions, Signposting