If you write for long enough, you'll eventually come to the conclusion that it's impossible to completely avoid using passive voice. That isn't to say your professors were wrong when they told you not to use it. Both are true: you shouldn't use it, and you can't help but use it. I'm sorry. English is … Continue reading When to Use Passive Voice
We've all been there. You're writing an essay, minding your own business, when suddenly MS Word pops up with the message: "Passive Voice (consider revising)." You turn in that essay, only to have it returned to you, with "Passive Voice" written all over it in red ink. Reading over the passages your instructor has marked, you … Continue reading How to Avoid Passive Voice
Effective information organization is one of the most challenging problems non-writers encounter when tasked with a composition project. While the lowly 5-paragraph essay would be a poor format choice for your dissertation, it has proven to be very effective when used to write book reviews, cover letters, and pitches. This is a handy guide to … Continue reading How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay
The thesis statement is the one sentence in academia that generates the most angst among students. It is the axis on which the entire essay revolves, and it must be in sync with the rest of the paper, or else the entire endeavor falls apart. This article addresses the most common mistakes made in crafting a … Continue reading How to Write a Thesis Statement
When you first enter the word of literature and literary academia, the vocabulary can be unnerving. These are words you've probably never seen before; you hardly feel comfortable reading them to yourself, much less out-loud. Everyone has met with challenges like these at least once, so try not to let your intimidation keep you from meeting these … Continue reading 13 Words Every Writer Should Know