Secrets of Advanced English Writing

 

The Path Forward: Practicing Advanced English Writing Skills Daily

Advanced English writing skills aren’t just about sounding intelligent or using big words. They represent the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, persuasively, and elegantly. Whether it’s crafting a compelling essay, drafting a professional report, or creating engaging content, these skills set you apart in academic, professional, and creative fields.

It’s not really a secret.  Here they are sliced and diced:

1. Be careful with the word being. It’s a useful word — but it can gum up a sentence. “Because” is a much better choice than “being that,” for example.
2. You can start sentences with and, but, and because. There’s never been a rule against it. Abraham Lincoln did it in the Gettysburg Address. Shakespeare did it.
   Every English-language book in your bookcase has sentences starting with but, and, and because.
3. Don’t be afraid of the singular they; “If someone needs a ticket, they can get one at the office.” The singular they dates back to 1375. Chaucer, Caxton, and Shakespeare used it; so did Jane Austen (75 times in Pride and Prejudice).
   We all use the singular they all the time.
4. Professional writers often end their paragraphs with a climax (“That was my favorite birthday gift”) or a closure sentence that repeats the point of the paragraph. (“I still think about that gift.”)
   Don’t overdo it, but it’s a great way to add polish to your writing.
5. Never use “last but not least.” The pros use a climax phrase (such as best of all, most important, most seriously) to introduce their final supporting idea.
6. Don’t use quotation marks for emphasis (He was my “favorite” teacher). The pros don’t do it, and you shouldn’t either.
7. Don’t underline, ever. Add emphasis with italics or bold formatting.

Source: medium.com

Post has been shortened for brevity.