The writing process
- Write the first draft of an essay fast, trying various ideas. Then spend time rewriting it very carefully.
- If you write a bad sentence, don't publish it. Delete it and do it again.
- If a sentence seems clumsy, ask why it doesn't seem right. By asking this, you'll usually find the replacement right there.
- Be considerate to the reader: say things as simple as possible.
- Be humble. If you know you're an expert on some topic, you can admit when you learn something you didn't know.
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Correctness
An essay should be correct. However, to be correct is not enough if it is vague.
Don't publish anything unless you're sure it's worth hearing. Write the first draft of an essay quickly, trying out all sorts of ideas. Then rewrite it very carefully, being sure to sift out anything that you'...
Evaluating criteria
The goal of an essay is to surprise the reader. If you write about a topic you understand reasonably well, and you're able to discover things you didn't consciously realize when you started writing, you have something worth saying.
Let your friends read your work. They'll sometimes find s...
Writing as a tool
Writing is a way of communicating. When you use clear, credible and persuasive language, you don't have to worry about a beautiful sentence or fancy words.
- If you are not clear from the start, you will end up wasting a lot of time clarifying your message. Aim to get it right from ...
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