Tips on becoming a better writer

[WombRaider]

I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the right words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

 

[WombRaider]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

lol, oops, i meant right.

 

[mugs]

If you want to write well, read.

 

[PrinceofWands]

In my own opinion you become a better writer by reading better writing. You can't practice what you don't know. Even without trying to consciously emulate what you read you're going to expand your vocabulary and develop a sense of style and rhythm. Speaking also helps quite a bit...speech class, debate, etc. You can also watch, listen, and read the great speakers throughout history to help you.

 

[tasmanian]

To make your essay flow better try writing a plan.

 

[bladder23]

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

The only reading I ever do are on these forums

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

The only reading I ever do are on these forums

Well then you must write more gooder than me.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

The only reading I ever do are on these forums

Well then you must write more gooder than me.

Dude, we're not all unliterate.

 

[BeauJangles]

Reading more is a good suggestion. At first, I'd recommend sticking to some relatively strict rules. Keep your paragraphs short (4 - 6 sentences), keep them focused. Present your argument logically. Tie everything together with a thesis statement of some sort. Also, mix up your sentence structure and diction, but don't make it sound like you're using big words for no reason.

I'd be happy to give you some feedback on some of your writing, if you'd like.

 

[moshquerade]

adjectives and adverbs, love them. use them. the more the better.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

WTF is ironing? You mean irony?

OP, reading a lot helps twofold: extending vocabulary and style of writing.

 

[Fritzo]

I was always taught that a well laid paragraph will be structured like this:

First sentance: Subject of paragraph
Content: Support for the subject
Last sentance: Conclusion and lead to next paragraph

I was always able to make decent essays with that structure.

 

[xdreadpiratedoug]

As others have suggested, read a lot - possible 1 to 2 novels per week, from a well known author in a genre you like. As long as it holds your attention, it will help you learn sentence structure and the like ... you should also keep an MLA handbook around, and follow writing plans. Perhaps consider enrolling in a few composition classes?

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

WTF is ironing? You mean irony?

OP, reading a lot helps twofold: extending vocabulary and style of writing.

/whoosh

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

The only reading I ever do are on these forums

that's your first problem.

like mugs said, the only way to write better is to read. also, to write.

if you want to write better essays, I'm assuming for school assignments, read more published essays. it helps you understand the flow and structure. If you're doing research papers, you should be reading these anyway. get your ass to the library, start photocopying these academic-type critical analyses, and learn how these people write. hell, by the time I got to college, there were a few professors calling me in thinking that I was plagiarizing. I considered it a compliment

1) get off the internet and get to a library. learn how to look up resources w/o the aid of google and find relevant sources on your topic.
2) read several, get used to the language.
3) pay particular attention to transitions (topic-to-topic, paragrapgh-to-paragraph, etc...)
4) try to include the word "permeate" somewhere in every paper you write. trust me (well, make sure it's relevant)

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

WTF is ironing? You mean irony?

OP, reading a lot helps twofold: extending vocabulary and style of writing.

It's fun to misspell words on porpoise.

 

[Casawi]

Reading I think is the best thing. I am not good either, but I don't write essays. I can write decent technical reports, but just essays about any topic are probably high school level if not worst.
My first essay in college, my teacher noted on there in red with big letters "YOU NEED TO GO TO THE LEARNING CENTER IMMEDIATELY" ... lol

 

[xdreadpiratedoug]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

WTF is ironing? You mean irony?

OP, reading a lot helps twofold: extending vocabulary and style of writing.

It's fun to misspell words on porpoise.

Why would yew do that?

 

[jdini76]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

The only reading I ever do are on these forums

that's your first problem.

like mugs said, the only way to write better is to read. also, to write.

if you want to write better essays, I'm assuming for school assignments, read more published essays. it helps you understand the flow and structure. If you're doing research papers, you should be reading these anyway. get your ass to the library, start photocopying these academic-type critical analyses, and learn how these people write. hell, by the time I got to college, there were a few professors calling me in thinking that I was plagiarizing. I considered it a compliment

1) get off the internet and get to a library. learn how to look up resources w/o the aid of google and find relevant sources on your topic.
2) read several, get used to the language.
3) pay particular attention to transitions (topic-to-topic, paragrapgh-to-paragraph, etc...)
4) try to include the word "permeate" somewhere in every paper you write. trust me (well, make sure it's relevant)

But Bladder23 is not asking the question...

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I'm a really terrible essay writer. I have most of the structure and grammar nailed down, but I just can't seem to make the essay sound good, such as using the write words, making the sentences flow, etc..

Are there any tips on becoming a better writer besides keep writing more papers?

The ironing is delicious.

WTF is ironing? You mean irony?

OP, reading a lot helps twofold: extending vocabulary and style of writing.

Man, every time someone posts the ironing is delicious, we get this response. It takes the fun out of posting it.

 

[intogamer]

nef

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

Yeah. Read one book a week. Be more daring when you write words. Put yourself in the readers perspective.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: jdini76

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: mugs
If you want to write well, read.

The only reading I ever do are on these forums

that's your first problem.

like mugs said, the only way to write better is to read. also, to write.

if you want to write better essays, I'm assuming for school assignments, read more published essays. it helps you understand the flow and structure. If you're doing research papers, you should be reading these anyway. get your ass to the library, start photocopying these academic-type critical analyses, and learn how these people write. hell, by the time I got to college, there were a few professors calling me in thinking that I was plagiarizing. I considered it a compliment

1) get off the internet and get to a library. learn how to look up resources w/o the aid of google and find relevant sources on your topic.
2) read several, get used to the language.
3) pay particular attention to transitions (topic-to-topic, paragrapgh-to-paragraph, etc...)
4) try to include the word "permeate" somewhere in every paper you write. trust me (well, make sure it's relevant)

But Bladder23 is not asking the question...

looks like someone here needs to improve his reading skillllllz
:beer:

 

[FeuerFrei]

I have reading to thank for my ginormous vocabulary. My writing style may need work, but my vocabulary is good to go.