Helen Sword is Professor and Director of the Learning and Research in Higher Education at the University of Ackland. She has created the WritersDiet Test that "identifies some of the sentence-level grammatical features that most frequently weigh down academic prose." To use the Test, simply copy and paste 100 - 1,000 words from your paper and paste them into the textbox. This feedback tool will…
Writing Coaching Blog
Even if the SATs are in your past, it’s always fun and advantageous to expand your vocabulary. Below are a few tips to help you do just that!
Look up words. A lot. Maybe even 20 times a day. Every time you encounter a new word, do a quick Google search to discover what it means. This means always being on the lookout for words you don’t know, regardless of whether you are reading Dickens for a class or hanging out in…
Using numbers in essays can be quite confusing. There is no general rule agreed upon by all writers and handbooks. Therefore, personal preference is okay as long as there is consistency throughout the essay.
Here are some basic rules to follow when deciding between spelling numbers and or using the figures.
1. Write out numbers zero to nine, or zero to one hundred. Again, this is based on the style adapted by the writer.…
Theses are papers or projects that display students’ interest and dedication to their major or study of interest. While their transcript says “seminar” or “independent study” or “workshop,” what it really should say is “thank goodness I like this subject because I don’t know how I could spend an entire semester writing (insert preposterously large number) pages on it otherwise.”
A thesis is a big deal. It requires time-management…
Previously, we have talked about the importance of writing an outline and what to aim for in your outline. After diligently considering the importance of organizing your thoughts and planning your paper, you have a lovely outline, organized by topic and with relevant research bulleted underneath your individual points.
What now?
Going from outline to paper can be somewhat terrifying. Every student has faced the horror that…