The key to better writing: revision and rewriting.
Write and rewrite. Proofread and rewrite. Then, review and rewrite some more.
Keep it simple! Use George Orwell’s six elementary rules (“Politics and the English Language”, 1946):
- Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
- Never use a long word where a short one will do.
- If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out.
- Never use the passive where you can use the active.
- Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
- Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
How to get more from last-minute studying
There were too many moments like this during my course of study. A large part of the study-and-forget pattern was due to my procrastination. For help dealing with procrastination, see Part I and Part II of our post on the topic.
There were also times, however, when I just felt overwhelmed and couldn’t properly absorb the information I was studying. To prevent this, I had to seek some sort of help. If this often happens to you, try any or all of the following:
1) Talk to your professor or teacher about how best to focus and study for his or her course. Make a plan with your professor. This works best if you take action as soon as you start to feel like you’re in over your head. Of course, you can’t benefit from this too much if you talk to your professor minutes before the exam, but if you arrange this ahead of time, when you are cramming you’ll have a much better idea of what information you should be prioritizing.
2) Start a study group and work together to reteach the necessary material to each other. This works well when you plan in advance as well as when you’re cramming for an exam the next day. There are two main benefits to this approach. First, rather than rote memorization of the material, you’ll really reinforce your knowledge through explaining it to another. Second, there is some comfort in working with others and “sharing” the burden. Just be sure that your group mates are going to be able to focus and work with you, not distract you.
3) Get and stay organized. How you organize the information you need to learn is up to you and your personal learning style. A good example of what worked really well for me and my classmates in university was to rewrite sections of my notes on index cards using colored pens. For example, I would write the term I needed to learn on the front side of the card and then write all the related details listed in bullets on the back of the card. I carried a deck with me everywhere (especially the day before an exam) so that when I had some down time I could review. Additionally, the color association helped me to recall information. Such a technique may work well for visual people. Kinesthetic learners may want to find ways to organize information around movement and activity; audial learners could benefit from recording important information as an MP3 and listening to them repeated. Find what works for you and work it.
4) Eat well and get some rest. A starved brain just doesn’t focus and remember as well as a rested, nourished brain.
What tips do you have for making the most of your study time?
Do you think studying grammar in school is important?
Recently, the Huffington Post ran an article highlighting that there has been an increase in demand for grammar education in K-12 curriculum. We’ve heard from many of our users and followers that their grammar education in school was weak or non-existent. Some think that teaching grammar is archaic. Others disagree. What do you think?
Do you think studying grammar in school is important?
How’s it going, folks? I hope you’re not napping! Let me know what you’re working on.
6 Foreign Expressions You Should Know
1. De Facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb). In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).
2. Vis-à-Vis
The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face” (used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a preposition though, meaning “compared with” or “in relation to.”
3. Status quo
This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.” If something changes the status quo, it is changing the way things presently are.
4. Cul-de-sac
This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads to nowhere or an impasse.
5. Per se
Per se is a Latin expression that means “by itself” or “intrinsically.”
6. Ad hoc
Ad hoc, borrowed from the Latin, can be used both as an adjective, where it means “formed or created with a specific purpose,” and as an adverb, where it means “for the specific purpose or situation.”
by Daniel Scocco
From DailyWritingTips
C’mon, it’s time to get started. You can do it.
What are you (supposed to be) working on?
Personally, I have a difficult time believing that this is a coincidence.
Muahahahaha!
Actually, I liked going back to school. How about you?
