How do you get good at writing? D:

-____- Im taking a writing class to improve the way I write in essays for school and like you know. :P

But I still can't see to get a hang on things! :cry:

We have to do an essay on the catacher in the rye(ive read this book millions of times) and it's very difficult to write an essay for me!

I got a 3(70%,C-) on the essay I wrote and I kinda don't like C's in a writing workshop class -____-(I can re do it for a better grade and thats what im doing)

I love to read but *** damn do I hate to write essays.

GIVE ME A CALCULUS PROBLEM DON'T GIVE ME AN ESSAY!!! :cry:

I'll be entering college next summer and I'm kinda sick and tired of the C's and F's(we have no D's 69% is failing) I get on highschool essays. So help! :P

So any tips on how to write better? :cry:

I write in the worse cursive in the world. I can't help you. Maybe you should get off gamespot and write the same thing over and over.

You don't. You give up and pick up something else, preferably something obscure so there isn't much competition.

I guess just practice...

I guess just practice...

Xx_Hopeless_xX

[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]Read lots. Study papers other people have done. But it's not an instant thing - and it comes much more naturally to some people. I've always loved essay questions and exams because it's almost always possible to bull**bleep** yourself into a right answer even if you don't completely know it.MrLions

[QUOTE="MrLions"][QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]Read lots. Study papers other people have done. But it's not an instant thing - and it comes much more naturally to some people. I've always loved essay questions and exams because it's almost always possible to bull**bleep** yourself into a right answer even if you don't completely know it.DJ_Lae

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

I guess just practice...

MrLions

Read lots. Study papers other people have done. But it's not an instant thing - and it comes much more naturally to some people. I've always loved essay questions and exams because it's almost always possible to bull**bleep** yourself into a right answer even if you don't completely know it.DJ_Lae

I started writing about two years ago, not seriously, but just for fun. The best way to learn is mocking styles of writing you enjoy or can respect. Read a few essays, novels, and short stories to get the car started. After that, I would try and increase your vocabulary by using a thesaurus whenever you come across mundane words (For example, instead of using the word simple use the word lucid). Hope this helps.

ask the teacher directly on what parts of your writing need improvement....this would be the quickest answer you'd get

unless of course your teacher doesn't give a rats ass about you, then you are probably screwed no matter what

Oh, and thesauruses AND dictionaries (so your not using the wrong word(s)...) are your best tools available

You get good at writing the same way you get to Lincoln Center... practice, practice, practice. :P

ill go out with you if you get better. Hows that for motivation?.. :p

Reading generally helps. And yes, I am a fairly competent writer. I do write short stories in my free time though, and I'm almost always in the process of reading a book.

1. Look for a recurring theme that occurs throughout the story or at least a unique idea you derive from it...or something you'd like to explore about the story.

2. Start thinking about a thesis statement. (Your thesis has to be shaky, which means it can be opposed as well as proposed)

3. Pick out references from the story that support your thesis

4. Think of, or find, arguments against your thesis and find ways to dispel them.

5. Begin your essay

Your essay should look like this:

1. Introduction: This should be your first paragraph. This is very important as it serves as the main tool that draws in your reader. If possible, try to baldly draw on worldly experiences that are somewhat related to your thesis. I.E. Start at a global scope and narrow down the paragraph towards your thesis.

2. Thesis: Your thesis should normally occur in the introductory paragraph or, at the very least, occur early in the second paragraph. Your thesis should be bold, clear and consice...but most importantly unique and interesting. As I stated earlier, it has to be argumentative. By argumentative, I mean that your thesis should NEVER be a fact. It should be an ARGUMENT of something you've noticed (themes, motifs, structure etc...all of which affect the relay of the information you receive from the text you're writing about).

3. Body: This is where you start supporting your thesis. The function of the body is to convince your reader that your thesis is right. You have to support your thesis through and through without digressing. The thesis is the steering wheel and the body is the car...you're basically using your thesis to control where you head in the paper.....NEVER STRAY FROM YOUR THESIS...

• Make sure that each paragraph in the body starts its own argument and concludes the argument. The next paragraph should be a new idea/or proof that supports your thesis.
• Use literal terms throughout your paper as necessary/appropriate. (examples of literal terms:juxtaposition, didactics, catharsis, soliloquy etc) Google for a full list if you don't know any.

4. Conclusion: The conclusion is the simplest part of the paper. All you have to do is creatively summarize everything you've argued throughout the paper and lay it out in one clear paragraph. Make sure that the paper comes full circle back to the thesis at the end.

5. Title: Read through your paperat least twice and clean out any spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, omitted words and so on. Then, think of a suitable and creative title that will work well for your paper. Make sure its creative and try to avoid an obvious title. For example, if you're writing about stress, don't title your paper "Stress"...try something more unique.

NOTE: These pointers barely scratch the surface of what makes a good essay but they are the basic foundation to a good paper. I'll find it hard to believe you'll get anything less than a B if you follow this direction. If you do end up getting less than a B, then your teacher hates you... in which case you need to schedule an appointment and ask him/her on what you need to do to improve.

are we talking essays? then it's fairly simple intro - body1 - body2 - body3(if necessary) - conclusion intro should start with an attraction that seems like it has nothing to do with the topic but in the end it does, and start narrowing down to your topic until you hit the thesis statement. The most important thing in writing (a short) essay is that every single sentence has to be related with your thesis statement in some way. The worst mistake you can ever have in an essay is going off-topic. bodies start with topic sentence (or if you wanna make it more attracting, start with an attraction that naturally leads into your topic sentence). TS is pretty much the mini thesis statement, and everything you write in that body has to have something to do with the topic sentence (which will mean it has to relate to thesis in the end). I usually write Topic sentence - point 1- evidence for point 1 and discussion - point 2 - evidence for point 2 and discussion - discuss their significance together (connection between two points) - analyze their contribution to thesis - concluding sentence. conclusion is self-explanatory, it's the opposite structure of intro. as for narratives, you need to read a lot, practice a lot, and you kinda have to have natural talent to some degree.funsohng

My teachers always told me I could write really good Portuguese. But English? Bah, my english, especially written, is terrible so no advice from me.

I consider myself a great writer-- but I have to work on my "neatness"

I prefer typing. :P

[QUOTE="funsohng"]are we talking essays? then it's fairly simple intro - body1 - body2 - body3(if necessary) - conclusion intro should start with an attraction that seems like it has nothing to do with the topic but in the end it does, and start narrowing down to your topic until you hit the thesis statement. The most important thing in writing (a short) essay is that every single sentence has to be related with your thesis statement in some way. The worst mistake you can ever have in an essay is going off-topic. bodies start with topic sentence (or if you wanna make it more attracting, start with an attraction that naturally leads into your topic sentence). TS is pretty much the mini thesis statement, and everything you write in that body has to have something to do with the topic sentence (which will mean it has to relate to thesis in the end). I usually write Topic sentence - point 1- evidence for point 1 and discussion - point 2 - evidence for point 2 and discussion - discuss their significance together (connection between two points) - analyze their contribution to thesis - concluding sentence. conclusion is self-explanatory, it's the opposite structure of intro. as for narratives, you need to read a lot, practice a lot, and you kinda have to have natural talent to some degree.harashawn

What subjects are you writing for?SolidSnake35

I actually do consider myself to be very strong in writing. If you want to learn to write, then write! It just takes practice. Reading can also help tremendously, whatever type of material it may be. I think writing tends to come as more of a natural affinity though...I suggest that you read some essays online as well. There's some that're free of charge, you just have to look in the right places :P

Mmm, it's sort of like art. You're either good at it or you aren't.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]What subjects are you writing for?MrLions

As many others have reiterated many times probably, reading LOTS and LOTS of books is a good way to improve your writing. Read and just write. Practice, practice, practice!

Read a lot of good writing and develop a wide vocabulary. That's all there is to it.

I read a lot as a kid and I get As on all my essays now.

I have to admit that any sort of narrative writing I do sucks, but that will probably always be the case.

I practiced and found interest at writing, and eventually I got good at it.

depends on what im writing about.

I guess just practice...

I can't write anything :(

Read of course. Surprised this hasn't been suggested in every post in this thread.F1_2004