How to write more concisely
A little editing goes a long way to making your writing clearer.
Add verbal highlights
Want to inject energy into your writing? Try turbocharging your verbs to make your writing more powerful - James McConnachie explains how.
How is academic writing like writing for children?
Heather Dyer I am an academic writer and a children’s author. On the face of it, these two forms of writing are at opposite ends of the spectrum. But actually, they have a lot in common. • They’re both about…
Active and passive voices
The passive voice is useful in certain contexts but use the active voice when you can - it's clear and concise.
Hunt out the zombies in your writing
Switching nouns to their verb form can energise your writing.
Who’s listening?
Nothing is more paralysing than speaking to people who know more than you do about the very thing you’re speaking about. Students sometimes write badly for a related reason. They write with defensive terror, knowing the person reading the essay…
Keeping subject and verb together
To make your writing clearer, try to bring the verb close to the subject of your sentence.
Zadie Smith and the semi-colon
If your writing is littered with long, complex sentences, try to divide them so they are shorter and clearer.
Writing punchy prose
Mix up long sentences for detailed analysis explanation with short, punchy ones for emphasis.
Keep It Simple, Stupid!
It's best to write in a way that is simple, direct and comprehensible, so that your argument shines through.