General tips to help you improve your writing

-Read the instructions carefully before you start writing. Highlight important points, for example by underlining words.

-Always ask yourself: Who I am writing for? Is it a friend, someone I don’t know personally?

-What kind of text am I writing? A letter/ An email/ An article/ A review of a book, film/ An essay

-Make sure that the structure is clear: introduction (one paragraph) the body (is the longest part of your text, it should be divided into paragraphs) and the conclusion ( in your conclusion you sum up what you have written)

-The introduction is very important since it must make the reader interested to continue reading the text. Here are some examples of how you can start:

ask a question: “Do you consider yourself to be a kind person?

take a stand: “In my opinion, all bullies should be sent to prison…”

quote someone: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere” (Martin Luther King)

-Always write something that you think is worth saying. Use experience from your own life.

-Check your writing for vocabulary, grammar and spelling.

-Useful phrases when writing a text

To begin with/ My point is that/ Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly/ Finally, To sum up, In other words, In conclusion.

Useful phrases when expressing your opinion:

In my opinion/ As I see it/ As far as I’m concerned/

Use linking words

When you write your essay this Thursday/Wednesday, remember to use linking words
Addition:
instead of and:
moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, also, similarly, equally

Reason:
instead of because:
consequently, for this reason, therefore, thus, since, that is why, due to the fact that, as a consequence, the cause of this is

Example
instead of for example
for instance, in other words, such as, among other things

Contrast and comparison
instead of but
however, yet, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, in comparison, as a matter of fact

Summary and conclusion
instead of finally
in other words, in short,

Checklist When You Write (photocopy)

If you are asked to write a formal letter, remember to use these phrases
WRITING FORMAL LETTERS

Useful Phrases for writing formal letters

a) Writing formal letters generally:

Greetings:
Dear Sir
Dear Madam
Dear Sir/Madam
Dear Mr Brown
Dear Ms Jones

Reason for writing:
I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter
I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter
I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter

Ending the letter:

I look forward to receiving your reply
I look forward to your reply
I look to hearing from you
Yours faithfully
Yours sincerely