Hi Jenny,i am surprised while studying writing sections here..i mean how clear and easy those are. but the problem is when i try to write then things are going tough.everything seems to me complex.because i have to bear in mind so many things like using vocabulary..comparisons etc while performing the task.why this.how could i improve more in writing by making it clearer…last time i got 5.5 in writing. so i am afraid..
shampa

Hi Shampa,

There are several ways in which you can make your writing clearer. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Always use paragraphs. Start each new topic with a new paragraph.
2. Avoid long sentences. Start each new idea with a new sentence.
3. Use linking words to join your sentences together. This is very important because it tells the reader if, for example, you are saying something in contrast to what you said previously or if you are saying something in addition to what you said previously.
4. Use adverbs at the beginning of sentences to give more information to the reader. These could be time adverbials such as ‘nowadays’ or ‘in recent years’ or adverbs to indicate your attitude such as ‘surprisingly’ or ‘remarkably’.
5. Always re-read your essay when you’ve finished writing and ask yourself - ‘Is it clear?’ If there are any confusing sentences which you think do not read very well, try to change them. This might involve adding a linking word or restructuring the sentence but is most likely going to mean taking out some words because problems of clarity are usually caused by trying to use too many words.

So my top tip would be try to say what you want to say in as few words as possible!

Check out the writing modules “Gender Pay Gap” and “Global Poverty” for more advice and practice in using linkers.

Hope this helps!

Jenny

Hi,
thanks for the suggestion.i am using the materials in writing section and have noticed the use of prepositions in many places.but while practising i am a bit confused in using that.how can i correct myself…
shampa

Hi Shampa,

Can you give me some examples of sentences that you are having problems with and I will be more able to help you.

Jenny

Hi,
for exam.( in household spending) it says…the table provides some information on the average weekly income FOR different types of family units.If i write OF different types of family units ..isn’t it right.

In house sales…the model ans says that IMMIGRATING for work purpose was the highest at 81000, almost double the figure FOR the previous period. If i write immigration instead of immigrating..and why for ..if i use than..is that right.

Actually i cann’t understand theses things..would u pl help me.

Shampa

Hi Shampa,

In your first example, both ‘for’ and ‘of’ could be used but ‘for’ sounds better in my opinion.

In your second example, ‘immigrating’ is used as a noun and could be replaced by ‘immigration’. However, you can’t use ‘than’ instead of ‘for’ in the latter part of the sentence.

Compare these three sentences:

(i)  81,000 was almost double the figure FOR the previous period (meaning the previous period was approximately 41,000)
(ii)  81,000 was twice AS high AS the previous period
(iii) 81,000 was MORE THAN double the figure for the previous period

All 3 sentences mean the same but the prepositions change according to the structure and the language used:

(i)  FOR + period of time
(ii) AS + adjective + AS (comparative structure)
(iii) MORE THAN (comparative structure)

I hope this answers your question!

Jenny

Thankyou very much Jenny for the explanation.
Shampa