• Know what your message is
• Consider your audience
• Break your message down
  • Each paragraph should have a mini-message of its own
  • Create an explicit outline of your document one level at a time
  • Use a visual outlining technique that works for you
• Based on your purpose, choose an order for your information: (taken from textbook: p139)
  • Direct: Summary, background, discussion, result
  • Indirect: Result, evidence, discussion, main point
  • Problem solving: Problem, cause, solution

• Short sentences
  • Try reading your sentences outloud, with no pauses except where there are commas (short pause) and full-stops (longer pause).
• Short paragraphs (but not too short)
  • In general, each paragraph should have one point.
  • Don't use newspapers as guidelines - their "paragraphs" are often only sentences.
  • Write a list of all the points you want to make
  • Put each point into a paragraph
• Simple words, but not at the expense of meaning
• No acronyms
  • Even if your readers will be able to work out the acronyms, they make reading harder.
• only jargon appropriate for your audience
  • If in doubt, explain your jargon, or use non-technical terms instead
• What if you get stuck?
  • Brainstorm
  • Tell a friend
  • Restate your aim
  • Write an outline
    • It helps to write outlines of subsections - even down to paragraphs

Spelling

• You are EXPECTED to know the difference between:
  • their, there, they're
  • where, we're, wear, were
  • here, hear
  • & many others!
• Use the spell checker carefully!
• NEVER select 'change all'.

Basic Grammar

• Common problems:
• Punctuation
• Capitals and full stops
• All sentences must start with a capital.
• All sentences should end with a full stop.
• You can not put a full stop in the place of a comma.
• Commas
• A good basic rule is to put a comma where you would normally take a breath when you read the sentence out loud.
• If you are short of breath, be sparing!
• Apostrophes
• Apostrophes denote possession except in a few cases where they indicate a contraction.
• Basil's pocket calculator.
• Murgatroyd's slide rule.
• James's lab coat.
• The dog wagged its tail.
• It's a bright, sunny day.
• Do not put an apostrophe at the end of every word ending in 's'. (It happens!)
• Keep sentences short!
• Make sure they make sense!
• Do not change topic half way through a sentence!
• Read over your work when it is finished. Some spelling and grammar mistakes will stand out.
• Get someone else to read your work - they will spot more errors than you ever will.
• For further help with English language skills, please contact: