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.

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Writing a Paragraph /6: Parallelism, Consistency

We continue our review of writing a great paragraph, the building block of your writing. In our previous posts, you learned:

• How to create solid structure.
• How to write a topic sentence.
• How to infuse cohesion in your paragraphs.
• How to write coherent paragraphs.
• How to use transitions and signposts in your paragraphs.

Today we complete our series with a look at creating consistent writing using a technique called parallelism.

Benefits of Parallelism



Parallelism makes your writing consistent and easier to read.


Clarity is achieved and so is coherence and cohesiveness of your ideas.


Make sure you have avoid confusing shifts in tense, number, or person while writing to achieve consistency.


Attain balanced writing to present ideas clearly, concisely, and smoothly to your intended audience.


Above all, parallelism can help a writer highlight information or convey a powerful point (notice the parallel structure in this sentence!).


Check out this video introduction on parallelism:



Conclusion

Now you have a complete series on how to produce potent paragraphs in your writing.


Review over the previous posts if you need to refresh your memory.


Don't miss our recommendations for tools to help you write better.


Happy Writing!

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