Help with Writing

The Writing Lab is open every Monday through Thursday from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Improve the Way You Write

Be direct:
Instead of writing, "Pursauant to our discussion of the 24th, I am enclosing a copy of the material from our
file in which you expressed interest, "try saying: "Here's a copy of the letter we discussed last Thursday."

Be active, not passive:
Active verbs connote direct, vigorous, confident action. Passive verbs are indecisive and weak. Get in
the habit of using sentences with a subject, active verb, and object.

Organize:
Use an outline.

Don't wait for inspiration:
Get a rough draft down on paper, no matter how rough an incomplete it is.

Don't worry excessively about style:
Just keep it short, direct, active, and simple.

Think of your reader:
Read back what you have written aloud, so you can actually hear it. How does what you have written sound?

Listen to yourself:
When you find something that sounds awkward, confusing or long-winded, revise your draft.

Remember sentence structure:
While simple subject-verb-object sentences are best, compound and complex sentences can't always be avoided. What's more, they add variety and interest to your writing.

Avoid fancy words:
When you read back aloud what you have written, change any words you stumble over and those that sound foreign to your ear.

Make your beginnings and endings best:
First and last words are the most important in sentences; first and last sentences are the most important in paragraphs.

In summary:
keep your writing short, simple, direct, and well organized.

(Learning Skills; Domino, John)

Guidelines for Tutor Writing Session