How to Write Clearer and More Efficiently

Now that a college student knows how to fix most of their grammar issues, it is time to move on to writing style tips. The focus of this article will be on how to improve the flow of a written work, according to the advice provided by the Senior Editors of Yahoo! (Barr, C., & Senior Editors of Yahoo!, 2010)

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How to Use Determiners

A determiner is a word that comes in front of a noun. 

• "The cat is sleeping."
• "A giant bird just flew past my head."
• "Dude, did you eat my pizza?"
• "Both blinds were drawn fully open to let the moonlight seep inside the room."

Why Using Determiners Improves Your Writing

• Reduces the grade level of your writing
• Makes it easier for non-native English speakers to translate the written work

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How to Untangle Messy Sentences

1. Check for Excessive Gerunds

• "Slipping the round peg into the electrical configuration, making sure that it fits properly, adjusting it for proper fitting." 

    2.    Remove Unnecessary Modal Verbs

• "Can you if you would, the shortest route to Kansas is by bus."

    3.    Avoid Passive Sentences

• "I have been running since I was at least six years old."
• This rule never applies if you follow an old/new pattern (see below)

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Follow an Old/New Pattern

An old/new pattern occurs when you start the next sentence of a paragraph with a subject that has been introduced in a previous sentence.

"The dog ate from its bowl. The bowl was very clean. Cleanliness is important for dog owners. Dog owners must make sure that their dogs avoid becoming sick."

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Review

How to Make Your Writing Clearer

• Use Determiners
• The, a/an, both, many, some, few, etc.,
• Untangle your sentences
• Check for gerunds
• They are verbs that end with -ing, running, hitting, swinging, etc.,
• Check for modal verbs
• Can, could, would, shall, might, etc.,
• Avoid passive sentences
• Instead of "she has been running until she became tired," use "she ran until she was completely tired."
• Follow the old/new pattern
• Remember that it is okay to use a passive sentence if a new subject has been introduced in a previous sentence

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