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8 Tips to Write Better Essays in English

Learning a foreign language is an overwhelming experience, especially if it’s one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – English.

Many people are under the impression that learning to read and speak in English is enough without realizing that written English skills are an equally vital asset to have.

From improving academics to boosting career prospects – the ability to write in English not only lets you communicate and express yourself better in today’s globalized world but also makes you more confident.

An effective way to improve your writing skills is to write essays. Wondering where to begin? We bring you eight useful tips to write better essays in English.

1. Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

Using the right vocabulary is an essential element of writing essays. When you make efforts to expand your vocabulary, you will be able to pick accurate words to take your writing to the next level.

Instead of coming across new words and forgetting about them, it’s a good idea to make a note of them in your vocabulary notebook. Doing this helps you remember the meanings of new words and you can also refer to it while writing essays.

So, give yourself a target to learn at least ten new words every day, which you can jot down in your diary and take baby steps in building a strong vocabulary.

2. Refer to Credible Sources

Research forms the first step in writing any kind of essay. The stronger your research, the better is the quality of your essay.

At a time when we have access to a wide range of data, it’s important to evaluate research sources carefully and only refer to credible ones. For example, Wikipedia is not a reliable source and should not be attributed to while writing essays.

Take the effort to read through published journals, research studies, scholarly papers, academic databases, and encyclopedias published within the last 10-15 years. It’s also important to assess the credibility of the author while evaluating the source.

3. Draft a Basic Outline

Once you’ve done your research, don’t rush to write. Take a moment to draft a basic outline for your essay and organize your research and findings.

“Is that necessary,” you ask? Very much.

Working on an outline lets you approach the essay in an organized manner. It serves as the skeleton of your paper while ensuring you’re not missing out on any information and that your points flow logically.

Most essays are categorized into – introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction is where you introduce the topic and give context. The body paragraphs need to include your arguments and research methodology (if any). The conclusion needs to reiterate the thesis statement and tie all the points together.

4. Hook the Reader

With attention spans getting shorter with time, it’s become all the more important to start with a bang and hook the reader from the beginning to ensure they are invested in your writing.

Essay hooks refer to the first one or two sentences of your essay which have the power to make or break the reader’s interest. The key is to write a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and reels them in.

From an alarming statistic and relevant quote to using humor and asking a rhetoric question – there are various tactics you can employ to keep the reader engaged.

If you’re unable to think of an impactful essay hook, don’t waste too much time on it. Finish the rest of your essay and come back to write a compelling hook later.

5. Use the Pomodoro Technique

It’s not easy to write an essay in one go, especially if it’s not in your first language.

A smart way to approach essay writing is to use the Pomodoro technique. This technique asks you to set a timer for 25 minutes to finish your task in question and then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles of repeating this, you get to take an extended 20-minute break.

So, start with breaking down the assignment into smaller tasks such as research, outlining, writing the different paragraphs, citing references and proofreading. You can then set the timer, start working on the essay as per the technique and track your progress.

Using this technique keeps distractions at bay and helps you stay more focused.

6. Pay Attention to Grammar Rules

You may raise interesting points in your essay, but poor grammar disrupts the reading experience and should be avoided at all costs.

Be careful when adding punctuations, check your sentence formations, avoid passive voice as much as possible and know the difference between adjectives, adverbs, nouns and verbs.

So  abide by grammar rules to deliver a well-written and cohesive essay.

7. Write with Clarity

You might be tempted to use complex metaphors and jargons to impress the reader, but the truth is, none of that guarantees “good” writing.

One of the most important ingredients of effective writing is clarity. You don’t want to leave the reader confused and puzzled after reading your essay. So, use simple words, stop beating around the bush and explain concepts with the help of examples because clear writing always wins.

8. Reread the Essay

Finally, make it a point to proofread your essay (multiple times) to ensure you have covered all the aspects, cited references accurately and not made any silly errors.

It’s a good idea to read your essay out loud so you’re able to identify errors and awkwardly formed sentences with ease. You should also get a friend or family member to read your essay, to spot mistakes or discrepancies that you may have overlooked.

You may also like:

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35 comments

Thanks a lot all we can derive from reading is the technique to write with clarity, good research and involvement of readers in writing.

Thank a lot dear EnglishClub, it’s help me a lot

I think it is very good site for learn essay writing

As a teacher trainer this contribution is helpful

Thanks for the tips! I’ll have an essay tomorrow and this will surlely prepare me!

Thank you so much

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thank you so much for your amazing informations

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Nice one but I don’t understand yet

Knowledge supporter is who u are, keep d good work nd ur reward is from God nd thanks.

thanks alot for your tips…your tips will help me alot while examss!!!

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My hobby is home garden

ur intentinon and thoughts was very nce its useful to somny pepole to learn english tysomuch adela belin

Thanks you for helping

This did help a lot! Thank you very much 🥰

Good tips, I should give it a try, after all, we all improve by exercising hard so I’ll just do the same thing, but right now I gotta focus on what matters, and what I need now is to read as much as I can to know how to spell the words right. Is grammar so important in this task, I mean can’t I just pick the things up because of my experience in listening skill ?

Thanks for the information!

This is a nice explanation ,,,,,proud of you!

Is very interesting for me I really apreicete you help

Thanks so much for these useful tips!! Now, I need to start preparing my essay (“starting” has been always the stone on my way :$)

Please, what is the difference between an essay and an article?

Are they same?

Thanks in advance,

Thanks & best regards English Club

Helpful updated tips to share with our students!! thankssss

I want to know if it is only at the University or if we may take the course online.

Thank you verry much for important advices

thank for your key points, this is really helpful

Thank you and best wishes,

Very pragmatic and helpful essay. Thank so much English club

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How to Make Your Essay Better: 7 Tips for Stronger Essays

By Krystal N. Craiker

Essay writing doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few tips, you can improve your writing skills for any type of academic essay.

How to Write Better Essays

7 tips on how to make your essay better, how to become a better essay writer.

The best way to sum up how to write better essays is, “Make sure you’re answering the question.”

This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many students struggle with this.

From not understanding the prompt to poor research skills to off-topic body paragraphs, it’s easy for an essay to derail.

We’ve got seven tips for writing better essays that will help you avoid common mistakes and craft the best essays possible.

Here are our top tips for improving your essay writing skills.

Understand the Prompt or Research Question

The first step in your writing process is to fully understand the essay topic. If your professor gave you a prompt for your academic essay, spend some time analyzing it.

First, take note of whether you’re writing an expository or persuasive essay. The tone, structure, and word choice will differ between essay types.

Pay close attention to the wording of the prompt.

If your teacher wants you to “analyze” the effects of new technology in World War I, but you turn in a descriptive overview of the technology, you are not answering the question.

If they have given you a topic but no prompt, you’ll need to create a guiding question for your research.

Be specific in what you are trying to research, or you’ll end up overwhelmed with a topic that is too big in scope.

“Symbolism in modern literature” is too broad for a term paper, but “How does F. Scott Fitzgerald use symbolism in The Great Gatsby ?” is an achievable topic.

Take Excellent Notes

Once you understand exactly what your essay is about, you can begin the research phase. Create a strong note-taking system.

Write down any idea or quote you might want to use. Cite every note properly to save time on your citations and to avoid accidental plagiarism.

Once you have gathered your research, organize your notes into categories. This will help you plan the structure of your essay.

You’ll likely find that some of your research doesn’t fit into your essay once you start writing. That’s okay—it’s better to have too much information to support your argument than too little.

Write a Strong Thesis Statement

Possibly the most important step in essay writing is to craft a strong thesis statement. A thesis statement is a brief—usually single-sentence—explanation of what your essay is about.

The thesis statement guides the entire essay: every point you make should support your thesis.

A strong thesis is specific and long enough to address the major points of your essay.

In a persuasive or argumentative essay, your thesis should clearly establish the argument you are making.

Make an Outline

Once you have all your research, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How do you turn the information into a cohesive essay?

Rather than writing an essay with no roadmap, an outline will keep you on track. An outline helps you organize your thoughts, plan your arguments, and sort your research.

A good outline saves you time, too! You can compile the relevant evidence in your notes before writing, so you don’t have to find that specific quote in the middle of essay writing.

An outline will also stop you from reading your finished essay and realizing you went completely off track.

With an outline, you can avoid finding paragraphs that don’t support your thesis right before you submit the essay.

Craft a Great Introduction

An academic essay needs a strong introductory paragraph.

The introduction is the first impression of your essay. It prepares the reader for what’s coming and gets them excited to read your paper.

A good introduction has three things:

• A hook (e.g. insightful statement, quote, interesting fact)
• Brief background information about the topic
• A thesis statement

Using this formula will help you write a strong introduction for your essay.

Have Original Ideas and Interpretations

The best academic writing advice a professor ever gave me was, “You’ve shown me what other people have said about the topic. I want to know what you think about the topic.”

Even a fact-heavy or data-heavy essay needs original ideas and interpretations. For every piece of information you cite, whether you quote or paraphrase it , offer original commentary.

Focus on insights, new interpretations, or even questions that you have. These are all ways to provide original ideas in your essay.

Proofread for Readability

A good essay is a proofread essay.

Readability, or how easy something is to read, has many factors. Spelling and grammar are important, but so is sentence structure, word choice , and other stylistic features.

Academic essays should be readable without being too simple. In general, aim for a readability score that is close to your grade level in school.

There are several ways to check readability scores, including using ProWritingAid’s Readability Report.

The quickest way to increase readability is to fix grammar and spelling mistakes . You can also raise the readability score by using more complex and compound-complex sentences.

ProWritingAid can offer suggestions on how to improve your essay and take it to the next level.

Our free essay checker will check for spelling and grammar errors, plus several other types of writing mistakes.

The essay checker will offer you suggestions on sentence length and passive voice.

It will help you trim the excess words that bog down your writing by analyzing your sticky sentences and overused words.

The essay checker is here to help you turn in an error-free essay.

Want to improve your essay writing skills?

Use prowritingaid.

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Krystal N. Craiker

Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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A (Very) Simple Way to Improve Your Writing

• Mark Rennella

It’s called the “one-idea rule” — and any level of writer can use it.

The “one idea” rule is a simple concept that can help you sharpen your writing, persuade others by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. What exactly does the rule say?

• Every component of a successful piece of writing should express only one idea.
• In persuasive writing, your “one idea” is often the argument or belief you are presenting to the reader. Once you identify what that argument is, the “one-idea rule” can help you develop, revise, and connect the various components of your writing.
• For instance, let’s say you’re writing an essay. There are three components you will be working with throughout your piece: the title, the paragraphs, and the sentences.
• Each of these parts should be dedicated to just one idea. The ideas are not identical, of course, but they’re all related. If done correctly, the smaller ideas (in sentences) all build (in paragraphs) to support the main point (suggested in the title).

Most advice about writing looks like a long laundry list of “do’s and don’ts.” These lists can be helpful from time to time, but they’re hard to remember … and, therefore, hard to depend on when you’re having trouble putting your thoughts to paper. During my time in academia, teaching composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels, I saw many people struggle with this.

• MR Mark Rennella is Associate Editor at HBP and has published two books, Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Leaders and The Boston Cosmopolitans .  

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Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips | Complete Guide For a High Score

Are you looking to improve your essay writing skills and achieve a high score on your next English essay? In this post, we will explore the best essay writing tips and cover different essay types, the essay structure, an essay outline and much more to help you succeed on an upcoming English essay. These 10 tips are perfect for school, college or university essays, as well as English exams like IELTS, PTE and TOEFL. We have included some helpful resources including a companion pdf that has a sample English essay and a few essay prompts. Every great English essay is improved with feedback so visit E2testprep.com and sign up for free to access expert feedback from our experienced teachers. 

1: Understand How to Answer the Essay Prompt

2: follow the correct essay structure, 3: plan your english essay, 4: explain your reasons, 5: use synonyms in you english essay, 6: paraphrase, don’t copy, 7: vary your sentence structure , 8: use linking words, 9: proofread out loud, 10: seek feedback, more help with english essay writing.

• Start Now. It’s Free ✌️

  Watch our video below to see an in-depth explanation of the Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips.

In order to successfully write an essay, it is important that we fulfil the essay requirement by understanding the essay prompt and what it’s asking of us. We need to begin by identifying what type of essay the question is calling us to write. Here are three different essay types that are commonly used:

• Opinion essays
• Problem/solution essays 
• Advantages/disadvantages essays

Here are possible questions to look out for to help you identify these three different essay types, and the requirements to fulfil for each.

In our sample English essay provided here , the essay prompt asks: In the past, almost all office workers did their job in their company’s offices five days a week. Nowadays, however, many employers allow more flexible work arrangements, and employees often choose to work from home a few days per week. What are the advantages and disadvantages of employees working from home?

This is a discussion essay where we can outline the disadvantages and advantages of the topic.

The essay structure shown below is simple, but extremely effective at presenting your ideas in a clear and organised way. It is important to use this format so it makes it easy for your teacher or assessor, whoever is marking your essay, to follow your ideas. You need to follow this structure:

In your introduction, you simply tell the reader what the essay is about. In your body paragraphs, you should present your arguments, and then support your arguments. This is where you show evidence through the use of examples and also explain your reasons in detail. In your conclusion, you summarise what was said in the essay.

A simple and clear plan is very important to making sure your ideas are well-organised and easy to follow for when you write the actual essay. Below you will see a plan for the main body of a sample English essay . There are two advantages and two disadvantages outlined, each with a supporting reason.

Taking a few moments to plan can be the difference between a good essay and an excellent, well-organised one. Teachers can easily pick up on unplanned essays. Students who decide to jump straight into writing without creating an essay outline first will often go off-topic during their essays. Sometimes the ideas are randomly inserted in certain places, resulting in a disorganised and low-scoring essay. The writing may leave assessors confused and looking for your arguments and reasons. 

Don’t make this mistake, and get into the habit of planning, even if it’s just a few quick bullet points.

Explaining your reasons gives your writing more support. It is important that you provide proof through the use of evidence and examples to support your ideas or arguments. Without any explanations, not only will your ideas lack strength, but your paragraphs will also be too short. 

Referring back to our sample English essay , we can see a well-explained example below. 

In the image above, the phrase ‘For instance’ introduces an example. In this case, it is an example of how an employee can struggle to separate their office and home life, including knowing when to stop working and take a break. Then, we can see the writer provides an explanation by including the phrase, ‘This could lead to’ and then describing the effects and consequences of the previously mentioned example. 

Explaining reasons with evidence and examples can be the hardest part of writing for some as it forces us to extend our ideas. Start with an example, and then reflect on the possible upsides or downsides of it. Ask yourself ‘What are the effects or results of this example or evidence I’m giving?’ which should then help to form your explanation.

When you are writing any type of essay, there will always be a set of keywords or phrases that get repeated throughout your writing because they are linked with your topic. Using synonyms, or different words that say the same thing, allows us to avoid sounding repetitive, which can often make our essay seem boring. Using synonyms is a quick and easy way to improve your writing. 

In our sample English essay , the idea of ‘working from home’ was used a lot. Here are some synonyms we included throughout our essay for this idea: ‘work flexibly’, ‘remote work’, ‘flexible work arrangements’ and even rephrasing the idea as ‘this change in work culture’. Using synonyms creates variety in our writing and improves the range of our vocabulary, which can easily help you to score higher on an essay. 

If you need to, you can use a thesaurus to find synonyms for words. Just make sure the synonyms still sound natural.

Depending on your essay topic, you may need to include research, or facts found through research on the internet. In any type of essay, it would not be acceptable to copy phrases or sentences, word for word. If you struggle with paraphrasing, we recommend that you start with synonyms first so you can build on the skill of replacing words and then slowly move into rephrasing and rewording entire phrases, sentences and then sections of text.  A great place to start is paraphrasing the essay prompt in your essay introduction. You need to be able to write it in your own words so you can show how well you can use language. In the image below, we can see how the essay prompt from our sample English essay has been paraphrased to create an interesting essay introduction.

Paraphrasing might seem like a difficult skill to master at first, but with practice, it will become much easier.

To demonstrate your essay writing skills, it is important to include a wide range of sentence structures, including simple, compound and complex sentences. Using these sentence types will not only show off your skills and knowledge, but also prevent the text from sounding boring. 

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can be a sentence on its own.

You can see an example of a simple sentence from our sample English essay below. Notice how this example broke up a group of longer sentences and created a sense of impact.

Another upside to working from home is the career opportunities it offers. People can now work for companies in other places. This means they can live anywhere and still do their job well. It also means they can apply for better jobs that might not be close to home.

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses, joined by a conjunction such as ‘and’ or ‘but’. Below is a compound sentence from our sample English essay.

I think workers should be allowed to work from home, but only for up to two days a week.

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause, which cannot be a sentence on its own. This type of sentence demonstrates a higher level of complexity.

Without being away from home all day, employees can better manage their work and personal commitments.

To vary your sentence structure even further, you can swap the order around with some complex sentences by putting the dependent clause at the beginning or putting it at the end. The sentence still makes sense, even if it’s reordered, which can help if you keep repeating the same sentence structures.  

It is also important where you use different sentence types. Too many complex sentences in a row can be hard to follow. Too many simple sentences can make it feel like your ideas are not connected. On the other hand, shorter sentences can help to break up a group of longer sentences.

Using linking words is an easy and effective way to make your writing sound more like an essay. They help create structure and flow so that your reader can clearly follow your ideas. Linking words show the connections between ideas and paragraphs and also increase clarity in your essay, so that everything reads smoothly. Usually we use them at the beginning of sentences. 

Let’s look at three examples of linking words found in our sample English essay . 

Consequently, this means many people can work from home for a few days each week.

The linking word, ‘consequently’, shows a cause and effect relationship between statements.

On the other hand, remote work is not only socially isolating, but less teamwork could mean that the company won’t do as well.

‘On the other hand’ shows contrast when you’re introducing a different or opposing idea.

In conclusion, having the choice to work from home has changed the traditional work style.

‘In conclusion’ tells you that the ideas are about to be summarised and concluded. 

There are many different types of linking words. Some linking words are used to show cause and effect, others for examples, while some can be used to show the sequence of ideas.

Everyone knows that they should revise their writing at the end, but often this step can get overlooked when you are rushing to finish off an English essay. It is understandable. You have just planned and written an entire essay, while having to think about synonyms and transition words and sentence structure and everything in between. Going back over your work thoroughly can save you from losing marks. The best way to do this is to proofread your writing out loud.

When just quickly glancing over your writing with your eyes, it is easy to miss some of the careless mistakes that have been made, especially if you are rushing to complete an essay that has a time limit. However, if you take some time to proofread aloud, you can start to pick up on things that sound incorrect.  We recommend that you read every piece of writing out loud, so you can easily listen for mistakes. Try it next time you write an essay.

As you practise your essay writing skills, it is important to ask people around you for feedback on how to improve. Of course, having teachers look over your writing will be the most constructive for your skill development. However, it is always great to have your classmates, family members and even friends read your writing. Having a fresh set of eyes can help to catch errors but also provide valuable feedback on your writing. 

As always, if you are looking for expert feedback, especially for a high stakes English exam, be sure to sign up to E2testprep.com . Our experienced teachers and ex-examiners can help you to improve your writing!

Need more help with your English essay writing? We have you covered! For help with general English essay writing, head to E2testprep.com and sign up for free. You can access method lessons, practice items, live classes with expert teachers and more. We have everything you need to help you quickly achieve success on your next high stakes essay. 

Author Bio: E2 is the world’s leading test preparation provider. Our expert teachers are fully accredited English teachers, with TESOL, British Council or other relevant certification, and years of examiner or teaching experience.

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How to Improve Essay Writing Skills

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If you've been told time and time again that you express great ideas in your essay writing but your writing needs polishing, you aren't alone. The following tips will help improve your writing skills and turn you into a great writer.

Avoid repetition: It's an essay killer

Though it may seem difficult when writing a five-page term paper on a single idea or character, avoiding repetition is essential to improving your writing skills. When you use the same words ad nauseam, your reader views it as a sign of laziness. Here are three tactics that will help eliminate wordiness and eradicate repetitive words and phrases:

• The simplest approach to improving your writing skills is to eliminate the repetitive word or phrase from your essay.
• If you feel you need to keep the idea, replace the word or phrase with something similar. This may mean substituting a pronoun for a proper name, such as he instead of George; or it may mean searching for an alternative. Use a thesaurus only to remind you of words you already know but have temporarily forgotten. Don't select unfamiliar words that merely sound good; this risky path often leads to the use of words with different underlying meanings, which ultimately can hurt you more than the original repetition.
• The last of our techniques for improving your writing skills is more difficult, but usually the most effective. Begin by crossing out the offending repetition. Next, circle key words in the sentence (skip words such as a, of, while, it, etc.). Now craft a new sentence that retains the circled words but discards the repeat ones. This may require you to add more ideas to round out the thought, but our term paper editors have found that expanding on your new sentence in this manner will improve your paper.

Active voice: Breathe life into your essay writing

In order to improve writing skills, we encourage students to write in the active voice . For those of you who have misplaced your grade school grammar book, this means that the subject of the sentence performs the action; it does not receive the action. Compare the following examples:

• Tom tossed the ball (active)
• The ball was tossed by Tom (passive)

To find the dreaded passive voice, look for a "to be" verb (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, or been) followed by a past participle (often a verb ending with -ed). Ask yourself who is performing the action (the verb). Move that person or subject in front of the verb and make the necessary grammatical changes.

Trite phrases: Banish the banal

In order to improve your writing skills, force yourself to delete all idioms and clichés. Your reader wants original thoughts, not processed or canned sentiments. Yes, this means you must replace those mundane words with something clever of your own. Reduce—perhaps to zero—the number of similes and metaphors, particularly if they are common ones.

There may be instances in which you have devised the perfect comparison, one that highlights the essence of your argument, but chances are that an experienced reader won't be as impressed with your creativity as you are. While certain types of writing (advertising, speeches, etc.) may call for this, such phrases are anathema in formal writing. Eliminate these to improve your writing skills.

Literary present: Just do it

When writing about literature, you must write in the literary present. Your natural inclination will be to write:

The river symbolized freedom and enlightenment for Huckleberry Finn.

But the literary present demands that you write:

The river symbolizes freedom and enlightenment for Huckleberry Finn.

A key tip to improving your writing skills is that everything should be in the present tense. It doesn't matter that you read the book last week, or that the author wrote it a century ago. Write about the characters and events as though they exist in the here and now. This is one of those conventions that is just easier to accept than to question.

Mechanics: Sweating the small stuff is important when improving your writing skills

Always run a spell check. It only takes a moment, and it will save you the embarrassment of turning in an analysis of Julius Caesar in which you consistently misspell Caesar. Pay attention to the suggested replacements when editing your essay, however, as these canned wizards do not always understand your meaning. Even Bill Gates can't turn "it" into "in" or "you're" into "your" for you, so you also need to comb through the paper carefully with your own eyes to find every error before handing it in. Brilliant essays receive lower grades if simple mistakes are left unchanged.

Ask for a second opinion

If you're thinking that this seems like a lot to remember, you're right. But focusing on one or two areas at a time will help you steadily improve your writing skills.

Image source: condesign/Pixabay.com

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Tips and tricks for crafting engaging and effective essays.

Writing essays can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and strategies, you can create compelling and impactful pieces that captivate your audience. Whether you’re a student working on an academic paper or a professional honing your writing skills, these tips will help you craft essays that stand out.

Effective essays are not just about conveying information; they are about persuading, engaging, and inspiring readers. To achieve this, it’s essential to pay attention to various elements of the essay-writing process, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft. By following these tips, you can elevate your writing and produce essays that leave a lasting impression.

Understanding the Essay Prompt

Before you start writing your essay, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the essay prompt or question provided by your instructor. The essay prompt serves as a roadmap for your essay and outlines the specific requirements or expectations.

Here are a few key things to consider when analyzing the essay prompt:

• Read the prompt carefully and identify the main topic or question being asked.
• Pay attention to any specific instructions or guidelines provided, such as word count, formatting requirements, or sources to be used.
• Identify key terms or phrases in the prompt that can help you determine the focus of your essay.

By understanding the essay prompt thoroughly, you can ensure that your essay addresses the topic effectively and meets the requirements set forth by your instructor.

Researching Your Topic Thoroughly

One of the key elements of writing an effective essay is conducting thorough research on your chosen topic. Research helps you gather the necessary information, facts, and examples to support your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

Here are some tips for researching your topic thoroughly:

By following these tips and conducting thorough research on your topic, you will be able to write a well-informed and persuasive essay that effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.

Creating a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a crucial element of any well-crafted essay. It serves as the main point or idea that you will be discussing and supporting throughout your paper. A strong thesis statement should be clear, specific, and arguable.

To create a strong thesis statement, follow these tips:

• Be specific: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main idea of your essay. Avoid vague or general statements.
• Be concise: Keep your thesis statement concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.
• Be argumentative: Your thesis statement should present an argument or perspective that can be debated or discussed in your essay.
• Be relevant: Make sure your thesis statement is relevant to the topic of your essay and reflects the main point you want to make.
• Revise as needed: Don’t be afraid to revise your thesis statement as you work on your essay. It may change as you develop your ideas.

Remember, a strong thesis statement sets the tone for your entire essay and provides a roadmap for your readers to follow. Put time and effort into crafting a clear and compelling thesis statement to ensure your essay is effective and persuasive.

Developing a Clear Essay Structure

One of the key elements of writing an effective essay is developing a clear and logical structure. A well-structured essay helps the reader follow your argument and enhances the overall readability of your work. Here are some tips to help you develop a clear essay structure:

1. Start with a strong introduction: Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic and clearly states your thesis or main argument.

2. Organize your ideas: Before you start writing, outline the main points you want to cover in your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas.

3. Use topic sentences: Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This helps the reader understand the purpose of each paragraph.

4. Provide evidence and analysis: Support your arguments with evidence and analysis to back up your main points. Make sure your evidence is relevant and directly supports your thesis.

5. Transition between paragraphs: Use transitional words and phrases to create flow between paragraphs and help the reader move smoothly from one idea to the next.

6. Conclude effectively: End your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.

By following these tips, you can develop a clear essay structure that will help you effectively communicate your ideas and engage your reader from start to finish.

Using Relevant Examples and Evidence

When writing an essay, it’s crucial to support your arguments and assertions with relevant examples and evidence. This not only adds credibility to your writing but also helps your readers better understand your points. Here are some tips on how to effectively use examples and evidence in your essays:

• Choose examples that are specific and relevant to the topic you’re discussing. Avoid using generic examples that may not directly support your argument.
• Provide concrete evidence to back up your claims. This could include statistics, research findings, or quotes from reliable sources.
• Interpret the examples and evidence you provide, explaining how they support your thesis or main argument. Don’t assume that the connection is obvious to your readers.
• Use a variety of examples to make your points more persuasive. Mixing personal anecdotes with scholarly evidence can make your essay more engaging and convincing.
• Cite your sources properly to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Follow the citation style required by your instructor or the publication you’re submitting to.

By integrating relevant examples and evidence into your essays, you can craft a more convincing and well-rounded piece of writing that resonates with your audience.

Editing and Proofreading Your Essay Carefully

Once you have finished writing your essay, the next crucial step is to edit and proofread it carefully. Editing and proofreading are essential parts of the writing process that help ensure your essay is polished and error-free. Here are some tips to help you effectively edit and proofread your essay:

1. Take a Break: Before you start editing, take a short break from your essay. This will help you approach the editing process with a fresh perspective.

2. Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you catch any awkward phrasing or grammatical errors that you may have missed while writing. It also helps you check the flow of your essay.

3. Check for Consistency: Make sure that your essay has a consistent style, tone, and voice throughout. Check for inconsistencies in formatting, punctuation, and language usage.

4. Remove Unnecessary Words: Look for any unnecessary words or phrases in your essay and remove them to make your writing more concise and clear.

5. Proofread for Errors: Carefully proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Pay attention to commonly misused words and homophones.

6. Get Feedback: It’s always a good idea to get feedback from someone else. Ask a friend, classmate, or teacher to review your essay and provide constructive feedback.

By following these tips and taking the time to edit and proofread your essay carefully, you can improve the overall quality of your writing and make sure your ideas are effectively communicated to your readers.

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Free English Lessons

Improve english writing – video.

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In this lesson, you can learn about how to improve your English writing. Writing is often the most difficult skill for English learners to improve. Learning to write well requires great control of language, and also extreme attention to detail. Even then, it’s not easy to write to a high standard, even for native speakers. In this video, you can see some advice which will give you some ideas and help you to improve your writing , whatever level your English is now.

Quiz: improve english writing.

Test how well you understand the ideas in this lesson.

First, there are ten multiple-choice questions about the tips in the lesson. They follow the order of the video. You will see the correct answers after each question. You should read the explanations, before moving on each time, since they’ll help you with later questions.

Then, you’re going to be the teacher and find the problems in an essay paragraph written by one of our teachers at Oxford Online English. The paragraph deliberately does the opposite of all the tips in the lesson. Identify the problems and then choose the best corrections.  

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1 . Question

1. What is the most important question to think about before you write something?

• Who am I writing for?
• How am I going to organise my ideas?
• What ideas am I going to include?
• What does my reader want?

2 . Question

2. Look at four examples of things that a reader wants when they are reading, and match them with the four readers.

Sort elements

• your customer
• your friend
• your teacher
• your examiner

3 . Question

3. Imagine that you start writing a paragraph but you aren’t sure what you are going to say. Where does this problem generally come from?

• You're writing a very complex essay.
• You aren't imaginative enough.
• You haven't planned your writing carefully enough.
• You don't have enough vocabulary to say what you want to say.

4 . Question

4. Which of these is the least important thing to think about when you’re planning your essay?

• What complex grammar can I use?
• What points am I going to include?
• What points am I going to leave out?

5 . Question

5. How can you organise your ideas into paragraphs?

• Write 10-15 lines, then begin a new paragraph.
• Put one main idea in each paragraph.
• Put all related ideas together in a paragraph.
• When you change topic, start a new paragraph.

6 . Question

6. What’s the correct number of body paragraphs to include in an essay (not counting the introduction and conclusion)?

• more than 3
• the same number as the number of points you’ve planned to make
• it depends on the word limit: one paragraph = 50 words

7 . Question

7. Why should you cut sentences like “There are advantages and disadvantages to this”?

• It adds nothing to your ideas.
• It's too long.
• It's grammatically incorrect.
• It's too complex.

8 . Question

8. Why is it better to say ‘exhausted’ and not ‘very tired’?

• 'Very tired' is empty and has no meaning.
• 'Exhausted' has a clearer meaning than 'very tired'.
• Using fewer words helps to make your writing clearer and more focused.
• Using less common words like 'exhausted' will impress your reader.

9 . Question

9. Why is it dangerous to write 20 words or more in a sentence?

• You will have to use complex grammar which you’re not familiar with.
• The more words you write, the more chance you’ll make errors.
• Most readers get bored by long sentences.
• Longer sentences are harder to understand.

10 . Question

10. What rule will make your writing clearer and easier to read?

• Always use shorter, simpler sentences.
• Use longer, more complex sentences when you can.
• Only use complex sentences when there is a reason to do so.
• Never write sentences longer than 20 words.

11 . Question

11-15. For the next five points, read a paragraph from an essay about communication technology. It has been written by a teacher to deliberately ignore all the advice in this lesson!

Now match the sentences from the paragraph with the problems they contain.

• This contains empty words.
• This sentence should be in a different paragraph.
• This sentence is written for a different reader.
• This sentence has too many clauses, which causes confusion.
• This sentence is redundant; it doesn't add anything new.

Some problems might be true of more than one sentence, but there’s only one perfect combination.   If you are viewing this quiz on a smartphone, we suggest holding it horizontally so that you can fit more text on the screen.

12 . Question

For the last five questions, look at the problematic sentences one at a time and choose the best correction. You will build a better version of the paragraph as you go.

16. The first sentence contains empty words:

Which correction removes the empty words?

• Communication technology, such as teleconferencing, provides employees with the means to conduct meetings from the comfort of their own homes.
• Communication technology can provide the means to conduct business meetings with others from their own homes.

13 . Question

Press ‘Hint’ to see the corrected paragraph as you build it.

17. The next sentence of the original bad paragraph is a new idea – that companies benefit financially:

Our paragraph is about the convenience for employees, so instead of introducing a new idea (benefit for companies), we need examples to develop the first sentence. Which option does this?

• This could improve their work-life balance, as they no longer have to spend hours getting to work.
• This could benefit them financially, as they no longer have to spend money travelling to work.

Here is the corrected paragraph so far:   Communication technology, such as teleconferencing, provides employees with the means to conduct meetings from the comfort of their own homes.

14 . Question

18. The third sentence of the original paragraph should have been the easiest problem to identify:

This is clearly written for a friend, not a teacher or examiner, but the reason for the sentence – a phrase linking into a disadvantage – is still valid. Which option does this best?

• On the other hand, being in the same place as your colleagues has its benefits.
• On the other hand, video calls do not come without occasional annoyances.

Here is the corrected paragraph so far:   Communication technology, such as teleconferencing, provides employees with the means to conduct meetings from the comfort of their own homes. This could improve their work-life balance, as they no longer have to spend hours getting to work.

15 . Question

19. In the fourth sentence, the attempt to write a complex sentence means too many ideas were in one sentence. The writer has used two relative clauses with ‘which’. This means it’s harder to follow what ‘which’ refers to:

Which option explains the same thing in the most concise and precise way?

• Connection problems may interrupt meetings even with a strong internet connection.
• Meetings may be interrupted by the failure of even the strongest internet connection.

Here is the corrected paragraph so far:   Communication technology, such as teleconferencing, provides employees with the means to conduct meetings from the comfort of their own homes. This could improve their work-life balance, as they no longer have to spend hours getting to work. On the other hand, video calls do not come without occasional annoyances.

16 . Question

20. The final sentence was an attempt to end the paragraph with a ‘mini-conclusion’:

This doesn’t add anything new, because the small inconvenience and the usefulness of the technology have already been mentioned.

The paragraph would be OK without any concluding sentence. However, if you want to write one, you need to make sure to add something new. Which option does this in the most coherent, logical way?

• Therefore, a little patience is required when using the technology, despite its convenience.
• Therefore, the stress of using the technology outweighs the convenience.

Here is the corrected paragraph so far:   Communication technology, such as teleconferencing, provides employees with the means to conduct meetings from the comfort of their own homes. This could improve their work-life balance, as they no longer have to spend hours getting to work. On the other hand, video calls do not come without occasional annoyances. Meetings may be interrupted by the failure of even the strongest internet connection.

1. Understand Your Audience

To improve your English writing, before you write one word, you need to answer some questions:

• Who are you writing for?
• Are you writing for your friend, your colleague, your manager, your examiner…?
• What do you want to achieve?
• Are you trying to give someone information?
• Are you writing to convince someone of your point of view?
• Are you writing to entertain and make someone laugh?
• Are you trying to pass an exam?
• Are you writing to achieve several different goals?

Thinking about your purpose in writing something can help you to organise your ideas.

All of these questions are important, but there’s a more important question:

What does your reader want?

Remember, when you write, you don’t normally write for yourself (unless you’re writing a diary or a journal, in which case you can write however you want). Normally, you’re writing for someone else.

Whoever reads your writing will give their time and attention to what you’ve written. Why? Why will they spend time reading what you’ve written?

For example, if you’re writing an essay at school or university , your teacher probably wants to see that you’ve understood the topic that you’re writing about. If you’re writing to a friend, your friend might want to hear some interesting or important news about your life. If you’re writing for an exam, the examiner will look for specific things which you do or don’t do in order to decide your score.

Understanding your reader or readers, and what they want from your writing, is essential. You need to think about it throughout the writing process, from beginning to end.

This is the first step, and it’s important.

Are you planning to take the IELTS exam soon? With this Oxford Online English lesson, learn how to understand the task two task and plan your answer.

So, are you ready to start writing? Not yet! Next, to improve your English writing, you need to…

2. Plan Your Writing

If you start writing without doing some thinking and planning first, there’s a high chance your writing will be unclear, unfocused, or disorganized.

Without planning, you may leave out something important, or you might include many unnecessary ideas which make it difficult for your reader to understand what you’re trying to do.

Have you ever written something and got stuck in the middle? You start a paragraph or a sentence, and you write half of it. Then, you think, “What am I doing?” “What am I writing about?” “Where am I going?” “Help!”

Why does this happen?

Often, this happens because you haven’t planned enough.

Imagine you’re trying to find somewhere in a new city with no map, no smartphone, nothing. Of course you’ll get lost. You’ll go down streets without knowing where they lead. You’ll waste lots of time just walking back and forth. If you do get where you’re going, it’ll only be because you were lucky.

Writing without planning is similar. You’ll start sentences and paragraphs without knowing how they finish. You’ll waste lots of time writing, deleting, and rewriting. If you do achieve your goal, it will only be because you were lucky.

Remember, you’re writing for someone else, and you’re writing for a reason. That means you have a goal, even if your goal is simple. You need to think about how you’re going to reach that goal.

That means you need to answer these questions:

• What points are you going to include?
• What points are you going to leave out?
• How are you going to organize your ideas?

If you’re writing something simple, you might just think for a minute or two about what to say. If you want to write something longer or more complex, it might be helpful to make a written plan.

So what points should you include, and what points should you leave out?

That’s a general question. If you’re not sure, think about your goal and your reader’s needs. Ask yourself: do my readers need to read this? Will they want to read this? Does this point fit with my goal? Thinking about these questions will help you to decide what to include, and what to leave out.

What about the third question: how are you going to organize your ideas? Let’s look:

3. Organize Your Ideas into Clear Paragraphs

Organizing your writing into paragraphs is important for many reasons:

• It helps your reader to understand the main points you’re making
• It helps your reader understand where you’re going, and why
• It helps you to stay focused on your plan and your goal

So what does it mean in practice to organize your ideas into clear paragraphs?

Firstly, each paragraph should have one main idea. If you’re writing an essay, and you have a list of points to include, each main point should get its own paragraph. Even if you’re writing something shorter or simpler, you still need to organize your ideas into paragraphs.

Don’t put too much into a paragraph—your writing will be much clearer if each paragraph is just trying to do one thing.

An extra point: there’s no minimum or maximum length for a paragraph. Sometimes, I see English learners trying to add to a paragraph because they think it’s “too short.” There’s no minimum. A paragraph should be exactly as long as it needs to be to make your point.

Secondly, and more importantly, you need to know how many paragraphs you’re going to have, and what you’re going to put in each one. Remember that this is part of planning. We still haven’t even written one word yet!

Again, you could do this planning in your head, or you could make notes on paper, or you could write a more detailed plan. That depends on you, how much time you have, and what you want to write.

But, the important point is: when you start writing, you’ll know exactly what you want to say. You won’t be thinking: “What should I put in this paragraph?” “How many more paragraphs do I need to write?” You’ll know the answers already, and this will make it much easier to actually write the thing.

OK, so now you’re ready to start writing! What next to improve your English writing?

4. Cut Empty Words and Sentences

There’s a simple rule you can use to make your English writing better and clearer: write as little as possible.

Let’s look at some examples:

First, don’t use two words if you can use one. Don’t use three words if you can use two, and so on. For example:

Don’t say very tired , say exhausted. Very is generally a weak word and should be avoided. The same goes for similar words like really , absolutely and so on. They don’t add anything to your ideas.

Don’t say as a result if you can say consequently . Don’t say on the other hand if you can say however or nevertheless . Use fewer words!

Don’t say this will get better in the future , say this will improve in the future . Don’t say she gave me a lot of help , say she helped me a lot , or even better she helped me greatly . You could also consider cutting greatly . Use one-word verbs if possible.

Don’t say maybe this will solve the problem , either say this will solve the problem , or don’t say it at all. Words like maybe or perhaps are rarely necessary. If you’re not sure about something, why are you including it?

Don’t say we need to find someone who can teach our son, say we need to find a teacher for our son. Cut unnecessary words and use fewer words wherever possible.

You can also look at sentences. Especially in essays, many people include empty sentences like:

• There are many advantages and disadvantages to this.
• Of course, there are two sides to this issue.
• In this essay, I will consider all the ideas relevant to this point.

What do these sentences tell you? Do they give you any useful information? No, and so they should be cut.

Why is this important?

Using fewer words and sentences will make your writing clearer and easier to read. It will also help you focus on what you want to say.

For each word or sentence you write, try to think: what does this add? What does this give my reader? Could it be made shorter? Shorten or remove anything which you can.

It’s not easy to write in this way. You shouldn’t expect to be able to do it immediately after watching this video. Even in this script, there are probably many words and sentences where I could use my own advice!

However, you can try thinking about it the next time you write something in English. Over time, you can learn the habit of avoiding empty words and sentences. Your writing will be much better if you do!

Next, let’s look at some more advice from Oxford Online English to make your writing clearer.

5. Use Short, Simple Sentences Where Possible

Shorter sentences are easier to read. That’s not my opinion; it’s a fact with a lot of research supporting it—the longer a sentence becomes, the harder it is to read and understand.

Also, if you’re a non-native English speaker, writing longer, more complex sentences is especially difficult. If you try to write longer sentences, there’s a higher chance of making grammar errors which can make your sentence difficult to understand.

How long is too long? Around 10 words is a good target length. Between 10 and 20 words is OK. Longer than 20 words is dangerous—there’s a high chance your sentence will become unclear and difficult to read.

So how can you do this?

Firstly, use what we talked about before: using fewer words will make your sentences shorter and tighter and improve your English writing.

Here are some other rules you can use to keep your sentences short and simple:

• Don’t use the passive unless you have a good reason to. Passive sentences are always more complex. Using the passive is fine, but you should know why you’re using it.
• Start your sentences with the subject wherever possible.
• Use relative clauses (with which, who, that etc.) only if you have to.
• When you use a conjunction like and, but, or etc., ask yourself: are these ideas really closely connected? Do they need to go in the same sentence? If not, break your sentence into two shorter ones.

To be clear, long sentences are not bad. Good writers can write long sentences which are clear, focused and elegant. If you’re writing about a complex topic, you might need to use longer, complex sentences to express yourself clearly.

The point is that you should only use a longer, more complex sentence if it’s necessary. If you can express the same idea in a shorter, simpler way, then you should.

Let’s review what we’ve talked about today:

• You need to understand who you’re writing for, and what they want from your writing.
• Before you write anything, you should have a plan: what are you going to say, and how are you going to organize your ideas?
• Your ideas should always be organized into clear paragraphs, with one main idea per paragraph.
• Use fewer words whenever possible.
• Use shorter, simpler sentences whenever possible.

These tips can help you with general writing like reports and emails as well as the IELTS Writing exam . Good luck and happy writing!

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21 Most Effective Ways to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

English is the world’s lingua franca , a common language that people with different native languages use to communicate with one another.

In fact, 96 countries use English to varying degrees.

That means the more fluent you are in English, the more interesting, exciting and  insightful (thoughtful) conversations you’ll have.

And, for the most part, you can boost your English speaking skills without having a classroom partner or taking stressful lessons.

In this article, we’ll take you through 21 of the best ways to improve your English speaking skills. We’re sure you’ll find at least one tip here that you haven’t tried before!

1. Learn new words and phrases every day

2. improve your pronunciation using authentic english audio and videos, 3. improvise conversations, 4. use tongue twisters, 5. learn the natural flow of english, 6. shadow english speech, 7. think in english, 8. retell a story in english, 9. use english pronunciation apps, 10. participate in public speaking events, 11. go to language cafes, 12. use formal or informal english appropriately, 13. be clear and to the point, 14. ask questions, 15. use filler phrases, 16. don’t be afraid to repeat yourself, 17. watch your body language, 18. improve your speaking by writing, 19. make friends online, 20. brush up on your cultural references and political knowledge, 21. visit an english-speaking country, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Before you learn things like improving your English pronunciation and accent , you’ll want to have a good grasp of the words and phrases used in daily conversations .

After all, it’s easier to figure out which aspects of your pronunciation can be improved if you know which words you need to practice saying aloud.

Also, you can commit to learning more words every day as you practice your speaking skills. This allows you to kill two birds with one stone (achieve two goals by doing one thing).

• Thousands of learner friendly videos (especially beginners)
• Handpicked, organized, and annotated by FluentU's experts
• Integrated into courses for beginners

• Set a goal for the number of new words you want to learn daily. For example, you can learn three new words or 10 every day. Even if you only have time to learn one new word per day, that will still be 365 new words a year (assuming you commit to your goal every day). You can take note of your target number using your phone, or share it with a learning partner who can help you check your progress.
• Subscribe to an online dictionary’s “Word of the Day” section. Not sure which words you want to learn right now? You can look up English dictionaries online with the “Word of the Day” feature. Just sign up for their free subscription via email, and you can get these words delivered to your inbox every day.
• Pick up new words all around you. Go to an English-speaking area, and listen discreetly (in a way you won’t be noticed) to native conversations. Write down any words or phrases you don’t understand, and look them up later using your dictionary. Do the same with the English songs you hear on the radio. By learning new words in context, you’ll be able to remember them more easily and grow your vocabulary more quickly.
• Learn words in phrases. For example, you refer to drinks as a glass of wine , a pint of beer , a cup of tea , a pot of coffee , etc. Again, learning words in context works much better for recall.
• Learn related words. For example, the moon has four phases every month: crescent , gibbous ,  waxing and waning . It’s more efficient to learn all four words at the same time.

Even if you know a lot of words, you won’t be understood if you don’t pronounce them correctly. That’s wasting the time spent remembering words, right?

So, you need to hear or watch English words and phrases as they’re pronounced by native speakers. Some places where you can do this are:

• Online dictionaries. You’ll notice that these dictionaries often have little speaker symbols next to the new words (like this ). Some of them, like the Cambridge Dictionary , even have different audio for U.S. and U.K. pronunciations. Just click the speaker symbol, listen carefully and imitate the way the audio pronounces the word.
• YouTube. Sometimes, when you search for the pronunciation of a certain word online, the results will show YouTube videos . They often repeat the word slowly several times, which makes it easier for you to follow along.
• Podcasts. Podcasts like English Pronunciation Pod and American English Pronunciation can teach you the many aspects of American English pronunciation.

If you’re having trouble pronouncing whole words, you may want to work on pronouncing individual letters first.

For example, when pronouncing English vowels , prepare your mouth for speaking by making the sounds of the vowels A , E , I , O and U .

Make a shape with your mouth as you make these sounds.  Exaggerate the sounds and shapes—that is, make them very large and very obvious.

• Interactive subtitles: click any word to see detailed examples and explanations
• Slow down or loop the tricky parts
• Show or hide subtitles
• Review words with our powerful learning engine

By practicing these basic sounds, it’ll be easier to hear the difference between, for example, a  cat and a  cut . (A cat can give you a cut, but a cut can never give you a cat! That’s just silly.)

For consonants, pronunciation practice is a bit trickier, and will require an entire post on its own. Luckily, we have a handy guide that covers how to pronounce consonants in English !

Improvisation (or just improv ) means making things up in the moment.

Here are a few improvisation ideas you can do on your own:

• Choose an ordinary object (like a pen) and make up a story about it. Talk about how important it is to you, how it helped you find your long-lost sister or how it saved your life. Be as creative as you want!
• Choose a letter of the alphabet and speak as long as you can while starting every sentence with this letter. Or start with the letter A and go through the alphabet as you speak. It’s much harder than it sounds!
• Speak for two minutes.  Set a timer to run for two minutes. Choose a random topic from places like Conversation Starters or prompts (ideas) at Writing Exercises . Then, speak about that topic for the full two minutes without giving yourself time to think about it. The first minute might be hard, but by the second minute, you’ll start to speak more confidently and comfortably. Try this as many times as it takes to get comfortable within the first minute.

Practicing improv is a good way to get more comfortable speaking with others, since it teaches you to speak without preparation.

Tongue twisters are phrases and sentences that are difficult to say quickly. They’re designed to help you see how fast you can say them before your tongue gets confused.

But saying them slowly works, too! It’s an excellent way to work on your pronunciation and how clearly you speak. You can choose one of these English tongue twisters , making sure to correctly and clearly say every word.

• Learn words in the context of sentences
• Swipe left or right to see more examples from other videos
• Go beyond just a superficial understanding

Once you’re comfortable saying the words slowly, try to say them faster, gradually increasing your speed with each new repetition. Even if you get some words wrong (and believe me, even native English speakers struggle with tongue twisters sometimes), you’ll at least have a good laugh about it!

Being able to say individual words correctly is great, but the secret to speaking English fluently lies in the flow of your sentences.

Whenever you read a piece of poetry, listen to a melodic song or watch a hilarious sitcom, pay attention to:

• Linking. Notice how native speakers link words together. This refers to joining two sounds, making a sound disappear or changing a sound to make it flow better.
• I + am =  I’m
• he + will =  he’ll
• they + have =  they’ve
• do + not =  don’t
• Stress.  There are stressed syllables in a word and stressed words in a sentence .
• Rhythm.  The rhythm is the overall result of stress, contractions and linking. It’s the ups and downs, or the musical features of English. You can also think of it as the speed and “sound” of your speaking.

Finding your perfect speaking rhythm can go a long way toward boosting your fluency. A good speaking pace is comfortable (both for you and the listener), keeps you focused and gives you enough time to think through what you want to say.

Here’s how you can improve the flow of your spoken English:

• Find a short paragraph, or even just a sentence at your reading level. You can find lots of short reading passages for different levels here . You can also open your favorite English book to a random page and choose a paragraph or two.
• Get a recorder or video camera. If your phone doesn’t already have a recorder installed, you can download this for iOS or this for Android.
• Say the paragraph or sentence slowly, then again faster, and again.
• Once you reach a speed that doesn’t feel comfortable or is too fast, slow down.
• Repeat this a number of times, making sure to record what you say every time.

Listen to the recordings. How do they sound? You should’ve felt a difference when you were speaking, too. Speaking slowly helps you work on pronunciation and enunciation (how clearly you say things). Speaking fast helps you work on your fluency, since you’re not worrying about every single word you say.

Shadowing English basically involves listening to how a native speaker says something and copying it.

• FluentU builds you up, so you can build sentences on your own
• Start with multiple-choice questions and advance through sentence building to producing your own output
• Go from understanding to speaking in a natural progression.

Here are some ideas on how to shadow English:

• Pick your favorite video with subtitles. Make sure it’s something you enjoy watching. This is important for the next step.
• Listen to it many times. Listen to the video once. Then, read the subtitles to get a good grasp of the general content and flow.
• Imitate the narrator sentence by sentence. Play. Listen. Pause. Speak. Record (optional). Copy the speech pattern as best as you can. 

With enough shadowing, you’ll naturally get closer to sounding like a native speaker. Just make sure to pick videos with the same English accent! 

You can find plenty of English videos with quality subtitles on the language learning platform FluentU .

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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When you’re learning English, and you’re having a conversation with a native speaker, your natural tendency is to take what they say, translate it into your native language in your head, mentally create a response in your native language then translate that response back into English.

As you can imagine, this takes a lot of time. It also makes conversations feel slow or even frustrating (something that causes stress) for the person you’re talking to.

On the other hand, if you practice thinking in English , it takes less time to come up with responses and engage in conversations. You don’t have to take that extra step of translating to and from your native language.

• Images, examples, video examples, and tips
• Covering all the tricky edge cases, eg.: phrases, idioms, collocations, and separable verbs
• No reliance on volunteers or open source dictionaries
• 100,000+ hours spent by FluentU's team to create and maintain

A good way to start thinking in English is to keep a diary for writing down your daily thoughts in English. It doesn’t have to be perfect—you just want to practice getting your thoughts out in English as often as you can.

For example, you can start with a familiar story from your culture. Your translation needs to  convey (communicate) not only the meaning of the words you use, but as much cultural nuance (small differences in meaning) as you can pack into it. You can also choose a short story or fairy tale that mostly uses words you can understand.

Then, you can record your retelling or ask a native English speaker to listen to you and give you their thoughts.

Sometimes, you have words in your language that don’t easily translate into English, and that’s okay! You can try to explain it in another way, like how an untranslatable word would feel to a native English speaker, for example.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s an app to help you perfect your English pronunciation, the answer is “Yes.” There’s a lot of them , in fact.

For example, ELSA Speak (available on iOS and Android ) uses speech recognition technology to help you correct the way you say words in English. The lessons are arranged according to topic (e.g., travel, business, etc.). If you’re taking proficiency exams like the IELTS, this app can come in handy, too!

Big universities, theaters and cultural societies often organize events like open debates , spoken word readings and improvised storytelling gatherings. These are places where you can come and mingle with like-minded people and practice speaking English.

Many cities host TED Talks where you can register, participate and share your  innovative (something that’s new or original) ideas. Check the events page of your local university to see if there are any of these opportunities available. It might be a nerve-racking experience, but it would be great for your English!

But what if you don’t feel confident speaking in English? Don’t worry, all language learners deal with this at some point! One of the best ways to overcome the lack of confidence is to get out there and practice.

The best way to do this is to try speaking in English with strangers. The following video has tips on avoiding mistakes when starting a conversation in English.

If public speaking terrifies you, you can opt for language cafes instead. These are cafes that create a friendly and relaxing atmosphere for people who want to practice and exchange languages.

You can usually find language cafes through local universities or the Meetup groups in your local area. If nothing else, they’re a great place to find friends you can share your personal interests with.

Depending on the context, you may have to use either formal or informal English . But how do you know which one to use?

Often, it’s a good idea to listen to how your conversation partner is talking, notice your situation and environment and try to match the type of English being used.

For example, if you’re in the office or at school talking to a boss or professor, it’s safe to use formal English. If you’re talking over coffee with a friend in a cozy cafe, you’re free to throw around all the slang you know.

If you’re only learning “regular” English, don’t worry. Most of the time, standard English works perfectly well as a communication tool, no matter who you’re speaking to. Context is key!

Imagine hearing both of these sentences out of the blue (suddenly). The first thing you’ll probably think of is, “What on earth is this person talking about? What do ‘elucidate’ and ‘dihydrogen monoxide’ mean?”

Even if you know what those words mean, you’ll probably still think that they could’ve just said  “Can you please explain to me what this means?” or “Drink lots of water every day!”

You may be tempted to throw around impressive-sounding words in everyday conversations. But, unless there’s no other way to express what you really mean, you’ll want to use the simplest words possible. Not only will you be better understood, but you’re also less likely to come across as pretentious (someone who acts like they’re better than they really are).

But how do you know which words are the “simplest” for English speakers? Again, that’s where regularly listening to authentic conversations comes in. The more you listen to regular conversations by native speakers, the more you’ll pick up patterns regarding the words they use to make themselves understood.

Communication works both ways. To make sure your listener is engaged (interested in what you have to say) and understands you, ask questions. 

The questions can be about anything you want to know more of. If it’s your first time meeting someone, “What’s your name?” is always a good conversation starter. You can also use other ways to introduce yourself in English .

Ask questions whenever the other person stops and there’s something you want to know more about. For example, if you see your friend with a good-looking car, you can say something like “Wow, that’s a nice car! What make and model is it?” The “compliment + question” formula works like a charm!

Whenever you don’t understand what the other person says, just say it back to the speaker in your own words. This will give them a chance to correct whatever you didn’t understand, or confirm that you heard right.

You can use these phrases before the information:

• I want to make sure I got that right, …
• So let me get this straight, …
• If I’m understanding you correctly, …
• Just to make sure I’ve got it right, you mean…
• Are you saying that… ?
• When you said… Did you mean… ?
• I am not quite sure I am following. Did you say…

If you’re worried that this makes you look “slow” or rude (has no manners), don’t fret! Most people will be perfectly understanding of the fact that English isn’t your first language. They’d rather repeat themselves than have any misunderstandings.

Filler phrases are phrases that act like placeholders in a sentence. They fill in silences so that your speech isn’t interrupted, and give you a little time to think of what to say.

Some examples of filler phrases are:

• To be honest…

You’ll hear these words a lot when you’re talking to native English speakers. To have a better grasp of what they mean and how to use them, you’ll want to—you’ve guessed it—practice them regularly.

But, as with any good thing, don’t overuse them! Too many filler phrases are just as bad as too many pauses. As a general rule of thumb, try not to use more than one filler phrase for every couple of sentences you speak. 

Because you’re still practicing English, you may not always be sure if people really understand what you mean.

In that case, just ask! Most of the time, you can make sure someone understands what you said by asking them to repeat what you said.

For example, the next time you give instructions, directions or information in English, follow it up with one of these phrases:

• I want to make sure you got that. Would you mind repeating it?
• I’m not sure if I said that right. Can you please repeat it?
• Can you please run that by me, so I know you got it?
• I’d like to be sure I’m expressing myself clearly. Could you please tell me what I’ve just said, so I know we’re on the same page?

There’s an English saying that goes like this: “Actions speak louder than words.”

The way you sit, the way you hold your hands and even where you look—all of these can add to or change the meaning of the words you say. The most important thing is to relax.

Not all body language and gestures mean the same thing in different cultures, however. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re speaking in English:

• Avoid certain hand gestures. Showing just the middle finger with the rest of the fingers folded down is considered an offensive gesture. In the U.K., making a V sign with your index and middle finger is also considered rude. (In the U.S., it’s just a sign that means “peace.”)
• Do use your hands when you’re speaking, though. Your hands can show so many emotions. Slamming a  fist (where your fingers are curled into your hands like a boxer’s) into an open hand shows determination. Slamming an open palm or a fist into a table can show anger. Keeping your hands closed and folded on your chest makes you seem cold and uninterested.
• Fingers can speak, too. For example, you can make an “okay” sign by keeping your last three fingers open, and making an “O” with your index finger and thumb.
• Crossed legs can mean different things. If you cross your legs toward the person you’re speaking to, this shows you’re listening to them. If you cross your legs away, it can show you’re not interested or are distracted.

Take note of the situation and mood of the speaker when they make certain gestures. Watching others’ body language in person can help you better understand what they mean.

You can also do this exercise:

• Sit or stand in front of a mirror and speak.
• Pretend you’re having a conversation with your reflection. What are your hands doing? What does your posture say?
• Move around, try different things and see how they change the meaning of the words you’re speaking.

This may seem like a strange tip in a post on how to improve your English speaking skills. After all, what does writing have to do with speaking?

Plenty, in fact. When you know the most natural way to express something in English on paper, that can also translate to how you express yourself in spoken conversations.

Practice writing in English . Take time to collect your thoughts. Try writing a blog in English to hone your writing skills.

Take a look at the steps below and start blogging!

• Choose a platform.   WordPress is a good option for blogging. You can set up an account, then choose a theme and a domain (e.g., imlearningenglish.wordpress.com). Other content management systems like Wix , Ghost and Squarespace are also useful. If you only want to write and aren’t too comfortable with overly technical setups, check out Medium .
• Choose a topic. You can write about whatever you like, of course. But since you want to practice more and more, you should choose a topic that you’re  passionate (interested in or knowledgeable) about.
• Set a schedule and stick to it. Decide how often you’ll be writing—daily, twice a week or once every other week. Be realistic, but committed.
• Write away!  Staring at a blank page can be intimidating (scary). To get started, set a timer for one to two minutes. Think of your topic for that day, then start writing without stopping until the timer goes off. Don’t worry about vocabulary, sentence structure or spelling for now. The point is to express yourself without having to think too much about what you want to say—which is how most conversations go!

Do you feel shy about meeting people in person?

Luckily, you don’t have to leave home to find people to talk to. You can always go to language exchange sites like:

• italki. italki works like a tutoring site where you can find native English speakers to teach you their language. (Read our italki review here .)
• Polyglot Club . A  polyglot is someone who can speak multiple languages. As you can guess from the name, the website consists of a community of people dedicated to learning languages.
• HelloTalk. On HelloTalk, you can connect with English speakers via voice, text or video chat. (Read our HelloTalk review here .)
• Tandem. Similar to HelloTalk, Tandem allows you to contact English speakers from halfway around the world. It has more of a social media feel, though. (Read our Tandem review here .)

Native English speakers love to throw around cultural references in conversation. Cultural references are usually ideas, sayings or jokes related to popular media. For example, the meme (pronounced “meem”) “Brace yourselves, winter is coming” is a reference to a quote by the character Ned Stark from the TV series “Game of Thrones.”

There are so many possible cultural references that it’s hard to keep all of them straight, even if you’re a big pop culture fan! However, you can “get” (understand) most of them by watching lots of English TV shows and movies .

Aside from pop culture, you’ll also want to read about the politics, values and norms of the English-speaking country you’re interested in. That way, you can avoid saying something insensitive or politically incorrect. You can read all about these in newspapers and magazines , where you can also pick up idioms , phrases and other expressions you’ll use over and over again.

If you can afford a plane ticket and accommodations, you can always travel to an English-speaking country. Traveling gives you a chance to see and feel the culture—the food, the drinks, the shops, etc. You can practice chatting with native speakers, testing out your accent and seeing how well people understand you. 

So, off you go! Choose your preferred method to improve your English speaking skills above. Expand your vocabulary, correct your pronunciation and boost your English speaking with the tips that feel right for you. Don’t forget to practice as much as possible!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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10 Practical Ways to Improve Your Essay Writing Skills

What makes a great essay stand out from an average one? It's all about finding the right mix between what you say and how you say it. Even the best ideas can fall flat if they're not written well. At the same time, good writing can't make up for weak content.

A really good essay needs to do many things at once. It should teach the reader something new and keep them interested. It should also be fun to read. On top of that, it needs to have perfect grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. If you're having trouble getting the grades you want and don't know why, this article will show you ten ways to improve your essay writing skills. We'll also touch on a tool that can make writing essays easier and more enjoyable.

1. Read Often

To get better at writing essays, it's important to read lots of different types of writing. Try reading different kinds of books and articles to learn new words and ideas. Pay special attention to published essays and academic journals. These can show you how good writers make their points and keep their ideas flowing smoothly.

For example, if you're writing about climate change, don't just read science papers. Read opinion pieces, stories about environmental movements from the past, and even stories that talk about nature and how people affect it. This will help you improve your essays by giving you a bigger picture of the topic.

2. Understand Your Essay Topic

Before you start writing, take time to really understand what your essay is supposed to be about. Read the instructions carefully and gather information. Don't rush this part. Instead, take your time to build a strong base for your arguments. Look at different viewpoints to make sure your main idea is correct and well-thought-out. This step is very important if you want to improve your essay and do high-quality work.

3. Create a Solid Essay Structure

Even the best writers start with an outline. Making a plan is really important for organizing your thoughts and making sure your essay makes sense from start to finish. As you research more, your topic might change in ways you didn't expect. A flexible outline can help you manage these new ideas and fit them into your essay in a way that makes sense.

You could try using the basic five-paragraph essay structure to start:

• Introduction (with your main idea)
• First main point
• Second main point
• Third main point

But don't feel like you have to stick to this exactly. As you improve your essay writing skills, you can try different structures that fit your topic and argument better.

4. Polish Your Writing Fundamentals

Knowing how to correctly use grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation is important for writing a good essay. A few small mistakes might not hurt your grade too much, but lots of mistakes can make your reader think less of your work.

Tools like the Aithor essay writer can improve your essays, but learning these rules yourself will help you use these tools better and improve your essay writing skills in the long run.

5. Write a Compelling Introduction

The introduction sets the mood for your whole essay and is your chance to get the reader interested. A good intro should start with something that grabs attention, like an interesting fact or question that leads into your main idea.

For example, instead of starting with a boring sentence like "This essay will talk about what caused the French Revolution", you could start with something more interesting: "What if a loaf of bread costs as much as you make in a week? For many French people in 1789, this was real life, and it helped start a revolution." This way of starting can really improve your essay's impact from the beginning.

6. Use Active Voice in Your Writing

Most of the time, using active voice makes your writing easier to read and more interesting. It keeps readers engaged and makes your points clearer. Look at these two sentences:

Passive: "The experiment was conducted by the scientist." 

Active: "The scientist conducted the experiment."

The active voice clearly shows who is doing the action, making your writing stronger and easier to understand. But sometimes, passive voice is okay, like in science writing or when we don't know or don't need to say who did the action. As you improve your essays, you'll learn when to use each type of voice to make your writing better.

7. Don't Repeat Things

It's important not to use the same words or ideas over and over in your essay. Try to use different words and sentence types to keep your reader interested and make your writing sound nice.

Instead of always saying "In conclusion" or "Furthermore", try using words like "Moreover", "Additionally", or "Given these facts". Using different words not only makes your essay flow better but also shows you know how to use language well, helping you improve your essay writing skills.

8. Seek Constructive Criticism

One of the best ways to improve your essay is by asking others what they think. Your teacher's comments are very important, but getting feedback before you turn in your final essay is also good. Classmates, tutors, or people at the writing center can give you new ideas about your work.

When you get feedback, try not to feel bad about criticism. Instead, think of it as a chance to make your writing better. Ask specific questions about things you're not sure about, like whether your argument is strong or if your explanations are clear.

9. Use Your Sources Correctly

When you mention information from other places, make sure you're using the right format that your teacher asked for (like APA, MLA, or Chicago). Using sources correctly not only avoids copying others' work without permission but also makes your arguments stronger by showing you've read reliable information. Paying attention to these details is a key part of how to improve your essays.

10. Edit and Refine Your Work

The best way to improve essays is by carefully checking and fixing them. Try to finish your first draft well before it's due so you can let it sit for a while. When you come back to it with fresh eyes, you'll often see ways to make it better that you didn't notice before.

Try reading your essay out loud during this process. This can help you find awkward phrases or parts that repeat too much that you might not notice when reading silently. Tools like the Aithor essay writer can also help you make your essay better.

Key Takeaways to Improve Essays

Improving your essay writing skills takes time and practice. By using these tips, you'll be on your way to writing better, more convincing, and more interesting essays. Remember, the goal isn't to be perfect, but to keep getting better.

If you want more help on how to improve your essay, think about using tools like the Aithor essay writer . It can give you guidance and suggestions as you work on your essays, helping you improve your essay writing skills over time.

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How to Improve Essay Writing

Last Updated: December 28, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 43,727 times.

Do your teachers always mark up your essays with red ink? Are you eager to learn how to express yourself clearly and effectively? If so, there are plenty of steps you can take to improve your essay writing skills. Improve your grammar, refine your style, and learn how to structure a well-organized essay. Since academic essays are especially tricky, learn the ins and outs of formal, scholarly writing. Be sure to read as much as possible; seeing how other authors use language can improve your own writing.

Improving Your Grammar and Style

• For example, while writing, you might not know whether to use “who” or “whom,” so you check the rule online. You’d use “who” for a person doing an action (called a subject), and “whom” for someone who gets something done to them (called an object). “Who called you,” and “Whom did you call” are grammatically correct.
• Find a general guide on grammar at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/index.html .
• If you’re a student, see if your school has a writing lab. If so, they’ll have useful resources on grammar and tutors who can help you improve basic writing skills.

• That said, some exceptions apply. If you’re discussing a scientific study, “The subjects were divided into control and experimental groups,” is better than “Researchers divided the subjects into control and experimental groups.” This is because passive voice emphasizes the object of the action rather than the subject. In scientific writing, the object is more important than the subject.

• For example, “The author of the selection establishes the foundation of the work’s controlling metaphor in the initial stanza,” is packed with unnecessary words. A cleaner version of this example could be, “The author introduces the poem’s controlling metaphor in the first stanza.”
• Instead of “The animal sleeps during the day and is active at nighttime,” write “The animal is nocturnal.”
• Rather than "The fox ran very fast," write "The fox sprinted."
• In the sentence, “The argument is compelling and convincing,” compelling and convincing are close enough in meaning. Using one would get the point across, but using both is repetitive.

• Keep in mind the clause that follows a semicolon needs to be a complete sentence. It should also continue the idea conveyed in the clause before the semicolon. Proper use would be, “The platter dates to 1790; examples of British transfer-ware from this period are rare.”
• Use punctuation strategically. A complicated sentence, like this one, with too much, or confusing, or misplaced, punctuation is hard, for most readers, to follow. Aim instead for clear, easy-to-read writing.

• For example, “The platter dates to 1790. It is in pristine condition. There are no nicks or cracks,” are choppy and repetitive.
• Better phrasing would be, “An impressed back-stamp indicates that the platter was made in 1790. With no nicks, cracks, or discoloration, its condition is pristine; few pieces of this age and quality exist.”
• Keep in mind repetitive sentences aren’t necessarily choppy. For instance, “Since the platter has a maker’s mark, accurately determining its age is possible. Since it has no nicks or marks, it is in excellent condition,” are repetitive sentences, even if they’re not short and choppy.

Using Academic Language

• For example, instead of, “I think it’s pretty crazy how the artist made the painting so detailed,” write, “The artist achieves an impressive level of detail.”
• Note that you can use the first person and contractions in less formal essays, such as an autobiographical sketch or college application essay. However, your writing still shouldn’t be too casual. “I found myself questioning my assumptions” is fine but, in most cases, “I was like wow I didn’t know what I was talking about” is too casual.

• Say you’re writing an essay about school uniforms. “Uniforms are good because they make it easier to get ready in the morning,” might be a fair point, but it's not the strongest argument you could make. Backing up your point with objective evidence would be more convincing.
• On the other hand, “According to a 2017 study, schools reported an average of 44% fewer disciplinary referrals the year after implementing mandatory uniforms,” cites a specific, concrete fact.
• Additionally, use specific quantities whenever possible. In this example, “an average of 44% fewer disciplinary referrals,” is more effective than “a significant decrease.” [5] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• Learning how to properly use subject-specific terminology can help you express yourself clearly and effectively. Academic writing is a dialogue, and learning the language of a scholarly dialogue is essential.
• For instance, if you’re writing a literary analysis, you might discuss how an author makes a comparison. While technically correct, the word “comparison” isn’t as precise as literary terms such as “metaphor” or “simile.”

• Using convoluted jargon or big words just for the sake of it will make your writing clunky. Furthermore, you’ll lose credibility if you misuse a complex word or technical term.
• For instance, “By utilizing efficacious examples, the author elucidates an irrefutable argument” is verbose. Simpler phrasing would be, “The author presents a convincing argument by using effective examples.”

Mastering the Writing Process

• Note that an essay prompt’s keywords have distinct meanings. Analyze, for example, doesn’t mean to describe; it means to pull apart and examine something’s structure.
• Suppose you have to analyze an argument. Your essay needs identify the argument's rhetorical elements, such as pathos (appeals to emotion), logos (employing reason or logic), or ethos (relying on authority or credibility). After breaking down the argument's structure, you'll then need to explain how the author uses these devices to make their case.

• Remember to check your sources’ credibility. If you’re writing about a former president, find the biography scholars consider most authoritative. Check the authoritative biography’s footnotes and references, which will help you track down more reputable sources.
• You won't conduct thorough research if you’re writing an essay for a test. Instead, read the sources provided with the exam. For example, if a literature essay test requires you to analyze an excerpt, read the passage carefully.

• For instance, “Schools should implement mandatory uniforms because they reduce disciplinary issues, help students focus on learning, and promote school spirit,” is clear and specific.
• The thesis, “Mandatory uniforms are beneficial, so schools should implement them,” makes a claim, but “beneficial” is vague. It doesn’t convey why uniforms are good, so it’s not a strong thesis.

• For the next Roman numerals, write the subtopics, citations, and other details that you’ll cover in each body paragraph.
• In the following example, Roman number II. would be an essay section, and letters A. through D. are body paragraphs that each focus on a sub-topic: II. Uniforms reduce disciplinary issues   A. 44% decrease in detentions after introducing uniforms (Smith, 2017)   B. Suspension decreased by 60% (Smith, 2017)   C. Absenteeism and tardiness decreased (Pew, 2013)   D. 66% of students report less bullying (Ohio Board of Education, 2016)

• Topic sentence: School uniforms may reduce the number of serious behavioral problems.
• Explain: Evidence suggests dressing alike lowers peer pressure, promotes discipline, and prevents the display of controversial or offensive imagery.
• Evidence: For example, according to the Ohio Board of Education, schools that introduced uniforms reported 44% fewer disciplinary referrals, such as detentions and suspensions. Furthermore, 66% of surveyed students said they witnessed fewer bullying incidents after they started wearing uniforms.
• Link: These findings suggest that implementing uniforms is an effective way to foster a disciplined school environment.

• A counterargument could be, “Opponents claim that mandatory uniforms stifle self-expression and lower self-esteem. Although uniforms do prevent personal expressions of style, studies show they actually improve confidence and encourage the expression of ideas. Rather than harm self-image, research suggests that uniforms positively impact mental health. In a 10-year Oxford University study, a majority of students reported that wearing uniforms boosts their self-esteem. With a level playing field, they worry less about choosing clothes that fit the norm.”

• First, revise your essay’s content. Check for unclear language, unorganized spots, awkward sentences, and weak word choices. Next, proofread your work and fix any spelling or grammatical errors.
• For important essays, like a term paper or an admissions essay, have someone read your work and offer feedback.
• In general, try to leave a day for edits at the bare minimum. For a big research paper, scheduling a week or more is ideal.
• For a quick, paragraph-long assignment that’s due the next day, you might only need 15 or 20 minutes for revisions. If you're taking a timed essay test, set aside the last 5 to 10 minutes to check your work.

Expert Q&A

• To improve your writing, read as much as you can. Reading a mix of fiction, newspaper articles, and scholarly works will help you learn new ways to structure sentences, refine your grammar skills, and improve your vocabulary. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You might not have to conduct thorough research or develop a scholarly thesis if you’re writing an informal essay. However, basic elements such as strong word choices, varied sentence structures, and concise language still apply. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/passive-voice/
• ↑ https://slc.berkeley.edu/nine-basic-ways-improve-your-style-academic-writing
• ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/academic_style.pdf
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/sciences/
• ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/vocabulary.pdf
• ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/Essay_writing_process_accessible_2015.pdf
• ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/super%20essay.pdf
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis
• ↑ https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/paragraph-structure

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Persuasive Essay: How to Improve Your English

Good English skills are vital to succeeding in life, in terms of education, career, and personal relationships. This means that many people want to improve their English, but it can be hard to know how to go about it. There are three main areas that have to be worked on: pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Getting the pronunciation right is something that many international students worry about, but that people born in English-speaking countries often forget about, but it is equally important for all. After all, pronouncing the words you use correctly makes you look far more intelligent. The first step to improving pronunciation is often to slow down your speech a little and think a bit more carefully. Pay attention to consonants, particularly at the end of words (as these are often missed off in speech), and make sure sounds like “sh” and “th” come out properly. A good way to improve pronunciation is often to watch English movies in which people are speaking properly.

The second way to improve your English is to widen your vocabulary. One good way to do this is to learn a new word (or a few) every day, and make an effort to use them. Reading is also important in learning new words, as is looking up words you don’t know in a dictionary so that you will be able to use them yourself. Making sure that you fully understand the meaning is really important, though, because it is no good using new words if you don’t use them in the correct place.

Because of this, just knowing a dictionary definition may not be enough; you will need to know in what contexts the new word can be used or you could say something that makes no sense. The same applies to colloquial phrases, which many people use incorrectly after hearing them one time (perhaps used by a friend in the wrong context). Understanding the register is very important too, as you don’t want to use slang in a formal context, or alienate people in social situations with overly complex words that only serve to make you look arrogant.

The final thing to really work on is grammar, and spelling and punctuation with it. Reading will help a great deal in this respect, as you can learn from seeing it used properly. There are also plenty of websites and books available to help with grammar and punctuation if you’re unsure of how to use something. Improving your grammar is so important because spellcheckers still aren’t advanced enough to pick up most errors, or even incorrectly tell us to change something. Pronunciation and vocabulary must be improved though too, as all are equally important and all affect your grasp of the English language.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

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