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+---- Thread: Improving English literacy? (/showthread.php?tid=22009)
Improving English literacy? - Ally Mac - 09-06-2011
The main problem I have with English literacy is the incapability (not so much the incapability, but more like the difficulty to write to a high standard of formality) to write formally. (And I do often make sentences which make zero sense).
Right now my grades for formal, critical essays are around average, where-as my (only) grade for writing is above average.
I'd like to learn and increase my formal writing, and yet the more I try, the worse of a grade I get. I've rewrote all my essays at least once.
I'd like to increase my overall grade as it will help with getting a university placement, as I do live in an English majority country and therefore being a native English speaker.
I read rather a lot, and I am perfectly competent in reading, (again, above average grades, the same applies for speaking as well). What would you recommend for becoming a better formal write in English?
Thanks.
RE: Improving English literacy? - bateyy - 09-07-2011
Well for me my english has become much better by being on forums:O
I used to use slang all the time , which most scottish people do.
But you need to mature up sometime I guess.
RE: Improving English literacy? - Riggs - 09-07-2011
This might sound stupid, but watching News channels on TV (IMO) has widened my range of formal vocabulary. That - and reading tangible newspapers or news reports online.
RE: Improving English literacy? - Ally Mac - 09-13-2011
(09-07-2011, 07:19 PM)bateyy Wrote: Well for me my english has become much better by being on forums:OI've never actually ever used any large amounts of slang in my sentences, only occasionally to sound funny.
I used to use slang all the time , which most scottish people do.
But you need to mature up sometime I guess.
(09-07-2011, 08:32 PM)Riggs Wrote: This might sound stupid, but watching News channels on TV (IMO) has widened my range of formal vocabulary. That - and reading tangible newspapers or news reports online.Thanks.
RE: Improving English literacy? - Artiex™ - 09-16-2011
Watch more tv and it will help. National Geographic, etc.
RE: Improving English literacy? - Infested Terran - 09-19-2011
Refrain from using conjunctions (don't, isn't, wasn't). When writing, always be sure to keep a single tense throughout your whole writing. Along with this, keep it in the same perspective as well.
If you feel like your grammar is off par, a good way of practicing is simply typing in Microsoft Word. Type out common phrases you usually say/write and check your grammatical errors. Learn from your mistakes.
A great formal work should consist of transition words (Although, Because of, Therefore, Thus, Due to the fact, in addition to, this is why, yet while the, etc)
When given a writing assignment that requires no time limit, it is important to plan out what you're going to write before hand. Don't attack your work without plan.
Always ask yourself: What does the question want to know?
What do I know about it?
Always include outside information in your work.
I hope this will help you in some way.