This week, I'm dedicating some posts to study tips. All these tips are suggested by the authors of Links 11, a coursebook by Porto Editora, the aim of which is to promote students' autonomy in their own learning process. Today, I shall start with ten rules for good writing:
1. Before you start, listen!
Don't try to force the words, wait them to come to you. Only when you 'hear' the first sentence, do you write it down.
2. Find the right word!
Be sure you find the right word. Don't just settle for any word. It must carry the exact meaning and it must sound right in your text.
3. Simple is beautiful!
Make it your rule to write simply and clearly.
4. No unnecessary words!
If you don't really need a word, delete it.
5. Be brief!
Put what you have to say in as few words as possible. You can vary your sentence until you find the simplest and neatest form.
6. Be generous!
Don't hold back because you are afraid of making mistakes. Make sure you cover all the aspects of the topic and express your opinion whenever the text type allows it.
7. Vary your sentence structure!
Do not write only long sentences or short ones. Vary and alternate different types of sentences. This makes your text lighter and easier to read.
8. Be logical!
Divide the information into several sections. Write a paragraph for each section or topic.
9. Get the flow!
Make sure your paragraphs follow each other smoothly and that there is a logical prgression from one paragraph to the next. This allows the reader to easily follow your train of thought.
10. Listen!
'Listen' to your text and check if the words sound right, if the paragraphs flow. 'Listen' to your text as a whole and not just as a build-up of sentences.
In Links 11, by Porto Editora
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