5 Quick Tips to Improve your Writing

1. Contractions - While writing an essay, use full words such as “Do not” instead of “Don’t”.
1. Shouldn’t  = Should not
2. Couldn’t  =  Could not
3. Wouldn’t  =  Would not
4. Isn’t  =  Is not
5. Haven’t  =  Have not
6. Hasn’t  =  Has not
2. Avoid “there is/there are”
1. Incorrect – There are many issues that students face at university.
2. Correct – Students face many issues at university.
3. Incorrect – There are many projects that the UN supports.
4. Correct – The UN supports many development projects.
3. Avoid “Really, Very, a lot, so”
1. Incorrect – Many students think that university is very hard.
2. Correct – Many students think that university is difficult.
3. Incorrect – Bill 399 is really controversial.
4. Correct – Bill 399 is controversial/Bill 399 is extremely controversial.
5. Incorrect – A lot of students
6. Correct – Many students
7. Incorrect – A lot of time is wasted.
8. Correct – Much time is wasted.
4. Passive voice vs Active voice (Active voice depicts strong sentences)
1. Don’t use Passive voice more when you’re writing about humanity, social science, history and psychology. Use active voice.
2. Example (Incorrect) – Healthcare reforms implemented by Obama.
3. Correct – Obama implemented healthcare reforms.
4. Example (Incorrect) – The war was won by the French
5. Correct – The French won the war.
5. Use strong verbs
1. Weak verb – He gave assistance to my friend.
2. Strong verb – He assisted my friend.
3. Weak verb – Made an objection.
4. Strong verb – Objected.
5. Weak verb – Conducted an investigation.
6. Strong verb – Investigated.
7. Weak verb – Did an audit.
8. Strong verb – Audited.