Writing tip

When writing an assignment for a class, we all want to be able to communicate effectively and creatively. Although not all of us are born writers, there are aspects of our writing we can control in order to make it look better. Let’s take a look at one of these aspects: organization.

It is a good idea to divide your story / piece into paragraphs. If you remember from school, we usually divide our writings into three major paragraphs: the introduction, the body and the conclusion. Usually we introduce at least a new idea in each paragraph. How long it is will depend on how much you are going to explain. Let’s say a paragraph needs about 3 to 10 sentences. Of course, you can write a one-sentence paragraph. I would discourage you from doing this. A one-sentence paragraph is a powerful tool and it should be used scarcely and carefully.

It is important to connect your ideas logically and clearly. Your connectors are like road signs that will guide your reader. Therefore, you have to use connectors or linking words, e.g. therefore, however, etc. You have to pay attention to the use of pronouns and tenses. Otherwise, your reader might feel confused about when events happened or who was involved.

What it seems difficult is to write a catching story and edit it at the same time. It might be a good idea to write a couple of drafts until you are happy with your final product. Then you should swap roles and become the editor. Now your job would be to correct any possible mistakes, discrepancies or inconsistencies.

Finally, needless to say that you should trust your instincts. Every student has already mastered at least one language. Your writing knowledge, experience and skill in your mother tongue will help you master this competence in the new foreign language. We learn to write by writing, by making mistakes and reflect upon them. When you were born, you did not know how to write. You had to learn the skill through years of schooling. Now, you are better equipped: you have skills, techniques and experience as a reader and as a writer as well. Take advantage of that.