Some tips to improve our writing in English

1. WRITING in English:
Some Useful Tips
WRITING in English:
Some Useful Tips
Certainly, we need some practise when writing in English
because we do not do it very usually (even in Spanish!!). We live in an audiovisual
society where texts tend to be very short (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.) However,
writing is a basic skill (especially at school) along with Reading, Speaking and
Listening. Writing helps us organize our ideas, be reflective, etc.
Certainly, we need some practise when writing in English because we do not do
it very usually (even in Spanish!!). We live in an audiovisual society where texts tend to
be very short (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.) However, writing is a basic skill (especially
at school) along with Reading, Speaking and Listening. Writing helps us organize our
ideas, be reflective, etc.
Here are some useful ideas to improve they way you write and present texts in
English:
Here are some useful ideas to improve they way you write and present texts in
English:
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Before starting, have a clear idea of what is the task about (type of text, length,
topic, format, etc.)
Also before writing, use brainstorming to have ideas and information about
the topic suggested (examples, opinions, comparison and contrast, etc.) If
necessary, use other sources of information (reference books, the Internet,
teachers, magazines, books, etc.) So when you start writing you will not be in
front of an empty piece of paper.
Do not write “shopping lists” but give an adequate structure to your text, being
the most common one:
INTRODUCTION > BODY > CONCLUSION
Always use paragraphs, avoid single sentences. Begin with a topic sentece
followed by some support sentences.
Connectors or linkers can also help you show order, contrast, addition,
exemplification, etc., and, at the same time, make things easier for readers.
Drafts are always advisable before a final version. Nobody can produce a
perfect text the first time!!
Stick to the topic and do not talk about something else.
Try to use new vocabulary and grammar structures recently learnt and avoid
frequent repetitions.
Use punctuation adequately. Generally speaking, English sentences tend to
be short and straight.
Written texts are normally more formal than oral ones so be careful with
register (contractions, abbreviations, informal or colloquial expressions, etc.)
Try to avoid common mistakes (especially the ones you usually make, like
spelling, false friends, concordance, tenses, etc.)
Pay also attention to the presentation of the text (handwriting, margins,
spaces, cleanness, etc.) Presentation has a strong influence on the reader
(either positive or negative!!)
A text has to explain by itself: if you do not understand it very well, nobody will!!
Always hand in your text the right date. Be careful with deadlines, do not be late!!
When you have it back, pay attention to the corrections and try to avoid those
mistakes in the future.
Keep your texts in a folder or portfolio to see your evolution and progress in
your learning process.
Remember that the more you write, the easier it will be next time!
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Before starting, have a clear idea of what is the task about (type of text, length, topic,
format, etc.)
Also before writing, use brainstorming to have ideas and information about the topic
suggested (examples, opinions, comparison and contrast, etc.) If necessary, use other
sources of information (reference books, the Internet, teachers, magazines, books,
etc.) So when you start writing you will not be in front of an empty piece of paper.
Do not write “shopping lists” but give an adequate structure to your text, being the
most common one:
INTRODUCTION > BODY > CONCLUSION
Always use paragraphs, avoid single sentences. Begin with a topic sentece followed
by some support sentences.
Connectors or linkers can also help you show order, contrast, addition,
exemplification, etc., and, at the same time, make things easier for readers.
Drafts are always advisable before a final version. Nobody can produce a perfect text
the first time!!
Stick to the topic and do not talk about something else.
Try to use new vocabulary and grammar structures recently learnt and avoid
frequent repetitions.
Use punctuation adequately. Generally speaking, English sentences tend to be short
and straight.
Written texts are normally more formal than oral ones so be careful with register
(contractions, abbreviations, informal or colloquial expressions, etc.)
Try to avoid common mistakes (especially the ones you usually make, like spelling,
false friends, concordance, tenses, etc.)
Pay also attention to the presentation of the text (handwriting, margins, spaces,
cleanness, etc.) Presentation has a strong influence on the reader (either positive or
negative!!)
A text has to explain by itself: if you do not understand it very well, nobody will!!
Always hand in your text the right date. Be careful with deadlines, do not be late!!
When you have it back, pay attention to the corrections and try to avoid those
mistakes in the future.
Keep your texts in a folder or portfolio to see your evolution and progress in your
learning process.
Remember that the more you write, the easier it will be next time!