mechanics essay writing

English Mechanics 101: What Are Writing Mechanics? (Definition and Examples)

If you want to learn more about English mechanics, this is the article for you. You'll learn what the main aspects of mechanics are, how to use them in your writing, and why you should.

• English Mechanics are the rules that govern written language. They tell you how to write in a way that is coherent and standardized.

This article is part of our free online Grammar Book .

The Main Parts of English Mechanics

English mechanics provide a way to standardize writing so that you may get your message across effectively. They're the rules you look to when you're unsure which punctuation to use or whether to capitalize a word, to mention just a couple of examples.

In other words, they cover the technical aspects of writing in English. It's like when you have a car. You may know how to drive it, but there are mechanics involved, too, if you want to keep your vehicle on the road. Do your tires meet the legal requirements? Do you have the right level of oil? How should you position your seat? These mechanical aspects ensure you can drive your car safely and according to legal standards.

• Knowing about English mechanics accomplishes the same thing: it ensures your writing meets the standard rules.

So why should you care about English mechanics? Well, I think it's safe to say that when you write, you want to be understood by your readers, right? You don't want to be misunderstood, do you? That's what understanding mechanics will help you to do. It ensures you express yourself with accuracy.

The four main aspects of English mechanics include:

Capitalization

Punctuation.

Let's take a look at these one by one.

Word order, also known as sentence patterns, tells us which order we should place the words in our sentence. You can't just place words wherever you like, as this affects the sentence's meaning. In order to communicate effectively, you must know that certain parts of speech must be placed in specific parts of the sentence.

The most basic sentence pattern is:

[Subject] + [Verb]

That could look like this:

I am sleeping. 

You might want to add other parts of speech to make your sentence more complex. There are sentence patterns for these cases, too. For instance, if you want to add an adjective, you should remember to always place it before the subject. And objects come after the subject and verb.

Here are some more example sentence patterns:

[Subject] + [Verb] + [Adjective] + [Noun] I used brown sugar.  [Adjective] + [Subject] + [Verb] + [Adverb] The excited puppy barked loudly. [Subject] + [Verb] + [Direct Object]  I study English mechanics.  [Subject] + [Verb] + [Indirect Object] + [Direct Object]  We sent everyone an invitation.

These are just a few of the possible combinations. If you'd like to learn more, check out our blog on sentence patterns .

Knowing whether or not to capitalize or word can be tricky business. Also, different style guides might advocate for slightly different practices.

• Capitalizing a word means you start it off with an uppercase letter.

There are seven instances when you should use a capital letter at the beginning of a word, and those are:

• The first word of the sentence You look fantastic tonight!
• Proper nouns Is it ok if we bring our dog, Rex ?
• The pronoun 'I.' It's high time that I get my own place.
• The first word after a colon (if it's a complete sentence) You must keep track of your main goal: You need to graduate with a scholarship.
• The first word of a quote (if it's a complete sentence) As Gandhi said: " Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
• Most words in titles Have you ever watched The Shawshank Redemption?
• Titles and honorifics (if followed by the person's name) I'd like to introduce Sir Paul McCartney.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you spelling is a major aspect of English mechanics and is essential in getting your message across accurately. One big reason for this is that English words don't tend to be spelled the way they sound, so you'll need to be familiar with spelling conventions in order to avoid errors.

As well as this, there are homophones to content with: words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Getting the spelling right for these words is key so your reader knows what you mean.

Look at the following words, for example:

• 'Ware' vs 'wear'
• 'Isle' vs 'aisle'
• 'Sow' vs 'sew'

The spelling makes all the difference here because when you hear them out loud, they sound like the same word, but when you write them down, you see they are different.

Of course, a spellchecker can always help with this, and we're lucky to live in an age where these are available, so we can ensure our writing is error-free before publishing/handing it in. But it's good practice to familiarize yourself with the different spelling rules over time so that you're not entirely relying on your spellchecker.

To learn more about the spelling rules, check out our article on the topic.

Without punctuation, our writing would just be a jumbled-up mess of words; it would be impossible to make any sense of it.

There are three different types of punctuation:

• punctuation to end a sentence
• punctuation to mark a pause
• punctuation for quotations
• punctuation to edit words

Punctuation to End a Sentence

Exclamation points , question marks , and periods are the three kinds of punctuation you can use to end a sentence. They help the reader know if you're expressing emotion, asking a question, or simply making a statement.

Here's an example sentence for each of these:

Oh wow, that's great news! What's your name? Sorry to hear that you lost your job.

Punctuation to Mark a Pause

Most kinds of punctuation are intended to mark a pause or separate a piece of information from the rest of the sentence. Some of the most commonly used ones are commas , colons , semicolons , and parentheses .

Let's take a look at what these look like in a sentence:

I'd like a blueberry muffin, a flat white and a glass of water, please. Today we're going to be discussing a topic dear to my heart: English mechanics.  She's skipping movie night ; she isn't a big fan of the action genre. Everything I set out to do today (clean the house, fix my car and eat a nourishing meal) was a complete and utter success.

Punctuation for Quotations

This category's pretty straightforward: it's the kind of punctuation that allows you to demark quotations in your writing. These are called quotation marks . You can use either single or double quotation marks. The former tends to be more common in countries that use British English, and American English-speaking countries prefer the latter.

You can use quotations to directly quote what someone said, report dialogue , mention titles of works, or set words apart from the rest of the text.

Here are some examples:

" In three words I can sum up everything I've learned in life: It goes on ." — Robert Frost She asked, "Do you know anyone here?" John Donne's poem "No Man Is an Island" really resonated with me. He was nicknamed "The King of Pop".

Punctuation to Edit Words

The English language is very versatile. Though it contains a wide variety of words, we'll often use the same word in different ways to mean something different. That's where apostrophes and hyphens come in.

Apostrophes allow you to contract a word or form possessive nouns:

I've never been so happy to see you in my life. The young girl's speech was very moving.

Hyphens can be used to create compound words, connect a word with its prefix, and for numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine:

We live in a fast-paced world and it can be difficult to slow down. They host a bi-annual gala. In my class of thirty-six students there are only three boys.

Other Types of Punctuation

There are other kinds of punctuation that don't fit into the aforementioned categories but that still perform an essential role in English mechanics. Slashes and brackets are two examples.

Slashes are used to show a contrast or a connection between two things:

Dear Sir/Madam. Do you take sugar/milk?

Brackets allow you to add edits, comments, or further explanations for something you have said:

My mom always says "Carpe diem [ seize the day]"

To learn about the other punctuation marks not discussed here, visit our Grammar Book. We have an entire section on punctuation.

Other Aspects of English Mechanics

We've covered the main aspects of English mechanics, but there are others too. Many grammarians disagree on what constitutes mechanics vs grammar , so what you're reading here is just our take on what constitutes the building blocks of English mechanics.

But don't worry; there's no need to get stuck on semantics. The important thing is that you're familiar with all the rules, whether mechanics or grammar, and this is something you'll accomplish over time just by practicing and reading all our Grammar Book articles.

Abbreviations

Abbreviations are shortened versions of words. They're not typically used in formal writing, but you will see them around, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with them. Plus, you can also use them in your writing to shorten your text/save time.

Here are some different examples of abbreviations:

Did you see that ad on TV for the new iPhone? He's from the FBI. They're raising money for UNICEF. I honestly had to LOL when he said that.

To learn more about abbreviations, check out our article on the topic .

Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefixes are added to the beginning of words to change their meaning
• Suffixes are added to the end of words to change their form.

Most prefixes and suffixes are standardized, so learning about them can mean you'll be able to decode a word's meaning, even if you've never seen the word before. How cool is that?

For example, here are some prefixes that give the word its opposite meaning:

• de declutter deficient
• in inexpensive inadequate
• dis disadvantage disagree

Here are some examples of common suffixes that change a word into a noun:

• -acy private → privacy
• -ism optimist → optimism
• -ance maintain → maintenance
• -er train → trainer

If you want to learn more about prefixes and suffixes , we've got an article that covers everything you need to know. Check it out here.

Singular vs Plural

Nouns can be either singular or plural. Their basic form is singular; to pluralize them, you must follow a certain set of rules.

Sometimes it's as simple as adding -es  to the end of the word, like for words ending in  -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, or -x.

• bus → buses
• pass → passes
• church → churches

Sometimes you'll have the option to add either -es or -s , like with words ending in  -o.

• piano → pianos
• volcano → volcanoes
• hero → heroes

And other times yet, you'll need to change some of the letters in the word first. That might look like adding a -z and then the plural ending:

• quiz → quizzes

Or changing the - v  to an  -f:

• wife → wives

So yes, the rules are a bit more complex than simply adding an  -s  or an  -es , like many would like to believe. I would like to believe that myself, as it would make life much easier!

To learn about pluralization rules in more depth, check out this article .

Concluding Thoughts on English Mechanics

That concludes this article on English mechanics. I hope you found it helpful.

Let's summarize what we've learned:

• English mechanics exist to help us express ourselves accurately in writing.
• The four main aspects of English mechanics are word order, capitalization, spelling, and punctuation.
• Important aspects also include abbreviations, prefixes and suffixes, and pluralizing nouns.

If you found this article helpful and would like to learn more, check out our Grammar Book , a free online database of grammar articles just like this one.

Learn More:

• Singular and Plural: Understanding Singular and Plural Forms in English (Examples)
• Confusing Words: 51 Commonly Confused Words in English (Examples)
• Periods: When to Use Periods in Writing (Examples)
• Exclamation Points: When to Use Exclamation Points in Writing (Examples)
• Commas: When to Use Commas in Writing (Examples)
• Semicolons: When to Use Semicolons in Writing (Examples)
• Colons: When to Use Colons in Writing (Examples)
• Parentheses: When to Use Parentheses in Writing (Examples)
• Brackets: When to Use Brackets in Writing (Examples)
• Ellipses: When to Use Ellipses in Writing (Examples)
• Slash: When to Use Slash in Writing (Examples)
• Language Register in English Writing: Definition, Meaning, and Examples
• Hyperbole: What is Hyperbole in English? Definition and Examples
• Onomatopoeia: What is Onomatopoeia? Discovering Sound Words in English (Examples)
• Curse Words: What Are Bad Words in English to Call Someone? (Examples)

We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook . Just click those two links - you'll see why.

It's important to share the news to spread the truth. Most people won't.

Add new comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

Effective Writing Mechanics: Essential Guide & Tips

1. get to know the basics, grammar rules, punctuation guide, proper capitalization, 2. build your vocabulary, explore thesaurus, learn new words, use vocabulary apps, 3. write regularly, set writing goals, join writing groups, use writing prompts, 4. edit your work, proofread for errors, use editing tools, hire a proofreader, 5. learn from others, read quality writing, take writing courses, follow expert bloggers, 6. experiment with styles and tones, try different writing styles, adapt various writing tones, write in different genres, 7. engage your readers, use interactive content, respond to comments, create engaging titles, 8. stay motivated, set personal goals, celebrate small wins, keep a writing journal, 9. practice mindfulness, meditate for focus, practise mindful writing, stay present while writing, 10. reflect and improve, get feedback, analyse your progress, plan for improvement.

Have you ever pondered about the question: "what is mechanics in writing"? If so, you're in the right place. Writing mechanics are the nuts and bolts of language that make a piece of writing clear, fluid, and enjoyable to read. It's the underlying structure that holds your words together and gives them meaning. This blog aims to help you navigate the realm of writing mechanics with practical advice and actionable tips, making the complex simple and the daunting achievable. Let's start with the basics.

Learning the fundamentals of writing mechanics is like building a strong foundation for a house—it ensures everything else you build will stand strong. With a firm grasp of grammar rules, proper punctuation, and correct capitalization, you'll be able to express your thoughts accurately and impressively. Let's dig a bit deeper.

Grammar is the rulebook of writing—it's what helps us make sense of language. Here are a few key things to remember:

• Understand the eight parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
• Ensure your subjects and verbs agree. If your subject is singular, your verb should also be singular.
• Use correct verb tenses to express time accurately.

Remember: even the most interesting ideas can lose their appeal if they're tangled in grammatical errors. So, give grammar the attention it deserves.

Punctuation is like the traffic signals of writing—it guides the reader through your words, indicating when to pause, stop, or expect more. Here's a quick guide:

• A period (.) signals the end of a sentence.
• A comma (,) indicates a pause or separates items in a list.
• Colons (:) and semicolons (;) can be used to connect related sentences or divide complex lists.

Tip: Punctuation misuse can lead to confusion or misunderstandings, so it's worth taking the time to learn the rules.

Capitalization helps distinguish specific words, like proper nouns, from the rest of the text. Here are some capitalization rules:

• Capitalize the first word of a sentence.
• Capitalize proper nouns, which include names of people, places, organizations, and sometimes things.
• Do not capitalize common nouns unless they're at the beginning of a sentence.

Note: Incorrect capitalization can be a distraction to readers, so keep these rules in mind as you write.

Getting the basics right is the first step to understanding what mechanics in writing is all about. Once you've nailed these, you're ready to tackle more advanced aspects of writing mechanics.

Expanding your vocabulary is like adding more colors to your palette—it allows you to paint more vivid, precise pictures with your words. Let's look at some effective ways to build your vocabulary.

A thesaurus is a treasure trove of words. It's an invaluable tool to help you find synonyms (words that mean the same thing) and antonyms (words that mean the opposite). Here's how to make the most of a thesaurus:

• When you come across a word you're overusing, look it up in the thesaurus. You'll find a list of alternatives to add variety to your writing.
• Use a thesaurus to learn new words, but make sure to also learn their definitions to use them correctly.

Tip: While a thesaurus can enhance your writing, remember that simplicity often trumps complexity. Don't use complicated words when a simpler one will do.

Just like a chef needs to know a variety of ingredients to create different dishes, a writer needs a vast vocabulary to express diverse ideas. Here's how:

• Read widely and diversely: Books, newspapers, magazines, and even websites can be rich sources of new words.
• Use a word of the day calendar or app to learn a new word every day.
• When you encounter a word you don't know, look it up. Try to use it in a sentence to help remember it.

Remember: Language is continuously evolving, and so should your vocabulary. Challenge yourself to learn new words regularly.

In today's digital age, learning new words is as easy as tapping on your smartphone. Vocabulary apps like Magoosh, Vocabulary.com, and Anki can make learning new words fun and convenient. Here are some benefits:

• Most vocabulary apps feature a word of the day, flashcards, quizzes, and progress tracking.
• They allow you to learn at your own pace, whether you have a few minutes or an hour to spare.
• They make learning interactive, which can help improve retention.

Note: While apps can be helpful, they should supplement—not replace—reading as a means of building your vocabulary.

Building a robust vocabulary not only helps you express your ideas more precisely but also understand others better. It's an integral part of what mechanics in writing is all about.

Writing, like any skill, improves with practice. The more you write, the more you'll hone your mechanics in writing. Let's dive into some practical ways to write regularly.

Setting goals can give your writing practice direction and purpose. Here's how to set effective writing goals:

• Start with small, achievable goals like writing 200 words a day. Once you're comfortable with that, gradually increase your word count.
• Be specific about what you want to achieve. Instead of "I want to write more," say "I want to write a 500-word blog post every week."
• Hold yourself accountable. Track your progress, and celebrate your achievements—no matter how small.

Remember: The goal is not just to write more, but also to write better. Always strive to improve your writing mechanics.

Writing may be a solitary activity, but that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. Joining a writing group can provide support, feedback, and motivation. Here are some benefits:

• Writing groups can provide constructive feedback to help you improve your writing.
• They can offer encouragement, especially when you're feeling stuck or uninspired.
• You can learn from other writers' experiences and techniques.

Note: You can find writing groups in your local community or online. Choose one that aligns with your writing goals and interests.

Writing prompts can kickstart your creativity when you're feeling stuck or uninspired. They can be a word, a phrase, a situation, or even a picture. Here's how to use them:

• Choose a prompt that interests you. Don't feel limited by the prompt—let your imagination run wild.
• Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping or editing. This can help you get into the flow of writing.
• Use prompts to explore different genres, styles, and tones. It can help improve your versatility as a writer.

Tip: You can find writing prompts in books, websites, or even writing apps. Use them as a tool to practice and experiment with your writing.

Writing regularly is like exercise for your brain—it strengthens your writing muscles and improves your writing mechanics. So, grab your pen or keyboard and start writing!

Editing is a crucial part of writing mechanics. It's the stage where you refine your work, clarify your ideas, and eliminate errors. Let's delve into some ways you can effectively edit your work.

Proofreading is the process of checking for and correcting mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. Here are some tips:

• Take a break before proofreading. Coming back to your work with fresh eyes can make it easier to spot errors.
• Read your work aloud. This can help you catch awkward sentences and misplaced punctuation.
• Use a spell-checker, but don't rely on it completely. It can miss homophones and context-specific errors.

Remember: Proofreading is not just about finding errors—it's also about making sure your writing is clear, coherent, and engaging.

Editing tools can help you catch errors and improve your writing. They can check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, as well as readability and style issues. Here's how to use them:

• Choose a tool that suits your needs. Some popular options include Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and ProWritingAid.
• Use them as a guide, not a rulebook. They can offer suggestions, but you're the one who knows your voice and message best.
• Don't forget to proofread even after using an editing tool. No tool can catch every error.

Note: While editing tools can be useful, they're not a substitute for understanding writing mechanics and editing skills. Use them as a complement, not a crutch.

If you're working on a big project or you want a professional touch, consider hiring a proofreader. A proofreader can provide a fresh perspective and catch errors you might have missed. Here's what to consider:

• Look for a proofreader who specializes in your type of writing. A proofreader experienced in academic writing might not be the best fit for a novel, for example.
• Be clear about your expectations. What do you want the proofreader to focus on—grammar, formatting, style, or all of the above?
• Remember to budget for this. While it can be a worthwhile investment, professional proofreading services do come with a cost.

Tip: You can find professional proofreaders on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or even LinkedIn.

Editing is like polishing a rough diamond—it can transform your writing from good to great. So, embrace the editing process and see your writing shine!

Learning from others is a crucial aspect of understanding what mechanics in writing is all about. It's about observing, understanding, and implementing the styles, techniques, and strategies of successful writers. Let's explore how you can learn from others to improve your writing mechanics.

Reading quality writing is a powerful way to learn. It exposes you to different styles, tones, and effective uses of language. Here are some strategies you can adopt:

• Read a variety of genres. From novels by Stephen King to research papers by Albert Einstein, different genres offer different lessons.
• Analyze what you read. Look at how the writer structures sentences, builds paragraphs, and uses punctuation. This is an excellent way to learn practical writing mechanics.
• Take notes. If a piece of writing impresses you, jot down why. Did they use a clever metaphor? Was their argument well-structured?

Remember: Reading is not just about consuming content—it's also about understanding how effective writing is crafted.

Writing courses are a structured way to learn writing mechanics. They can offer guided lessons, practical exercises, and expert feedback. Here's how to go about it:

• Choose a course that suits your needs. There are courses on everything from basic grammar to advanced narrative techniques.
• Engage fully with the course. Complete the exercises, ask questions, and take advantage of any feedback offered.
• Don't forget to apply what you learn. Practice is key to improving your writing mechanics.

Note: You can find a wealth of writing courses online, on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and even YouTube.

Following expert bloggers can offer insights into successful writing. You can learn from their style, their engagement strategies, and their content. Here are some tips:

• Choose bloggers who write about topics you're interested in. This will make your learning process more enjoyable.
• Take note of how they engage their readers. Do they use humor? Do they ask questions? Do they use storytelling?
• Try implementing some of their strategies in your own writing. Remember—it's not about copying, but about learning and adapting.

Tip: Some popular bloggers who are known for their excellent writing include Seth Godin (marketing), Maria Popova (culture), and Tim Urban (science and philosophy).

Learning from others is like standing on the shoulders of giants—it gives you a higher vantage point from which to improve your writing mechanics. Embrace the journey, and see your writing skills soar!

One of the best ways to understand what mechanics in writing truly means, is to experiment with different styles and tones. By varying your style and tone, you can discover your unique writing voice and learn how to adapt it to different contexts. Here's how to go about it.

Writing styles are like the clothes that language wears - they can completely change the perception of your words. Exploring different styles can teach you a lot about writing mechanics. Here are some steps to take:

• Explore styles across genres. Write a short story one day, a business report the next, and maybe a poem after that.
• Imitate the styles of writers you admire. This can help you understand the mechanics behind their writing.
• Experiment until you find a style that feels authentically yours. Your unique style is your trademark as a writer.

Remember: Trying different styles isn't about being inconsistent, but about understanding the vast possibilities of language.

Tone is the mood or attitude conveyed by your writing. Adapting your tone to suit different contexts is a key part of mastering writing mechanics. Here's how to get started:

• Write the same content in different tones. Try writing a cheerful blog post, a serious academic essay, and a satirical commentary.
• Take note of the words, sentence structures, and punctuation that set the tone in different pieces of writing.
• Practice adjusting your tone based on your audience and purpose. A speech for a wedding will have a different tone than a speech for a business conference.

Note: The right tone can make your writing engaging, persuasive, and memorable. So, don't be afraid to play around with it!

Writing in different genres can help you explore new perspectives and challenge your writing mechanics. Here's how to do it:

• Choose a genre you're unfamiliar with. This could be anything from science fiction to journalistic writing.
• Research the conventions and expectations of the genre. What makes a crime novel different from a romance novel?
• Write a short piece in your chosen genre. Remember, it's not about producing a masterpiece, but about learning and growing as a writer.

Tip: Writing in different genres can also help you discover new interests and expand your writing horizons.

Exploring different styles, tones, and genres is like a fun adventure in the world of writing. So, get ready to experiment and learn, and watch your understanding of writing mechanics deepen and evolve!

Writing is a two-way street. As you explore what mechanics in writing is, remember that a significant part of good writing involves engaging your readers. Here are a few strategies to help you connect with your audience better.

Interactive content is a great way to engage your readers and make your writing more memorable. Here's how you can incorporate it into your work:

• Use quizzes, polls, or surveys to encourage reader participation.
• Include infographics or interactive diagrams to explain complex concepts.
• Add a comments section where readers can share their thoughts.

Remember: Interactive content not only makes your writing more engaging but also helps you understand your readers better.

Responding to your readers' comments is an excellent way to build a community around your writing. Here's how to do it effectively:

• Thank your readers for their comments, even if they're critical. This shows that you value their input.
• Answer questions and provide additional information where necessary.
• Use readers' feedback to improve your writing. Their perspectives can help you understand the mechanics of writing from different angles.

Note: Responding to comments can take time, but it's worth it for the connection you'll build with your readers.

Engaging titles can draw readers in and make them eager to read your content. Here's how to craft compelling titles:

• Keep your titles short and clear. Avoid jargon and complex phrases.
• Make your titles intriguing but not misleading. The content should deliver what the title promises.
• Use powerful words that evoke emotion or curiosity.

Tip: A great title can make the difference between your content being read or ignored, so spend time perfecting it!

Engaging your readers is an art in itself, and mastering it can take your writing to new heights. So, as you explore the mechanics of writing, don't forget to keep your readers at the heart of your work!

Writing can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but staying motivated is key. Even as you grapple with the question, "what is mechanics in writing?", maintaining your enthusiasm for the craft is crucial. Here are some ways to keep your writing spirit high.

Personal writing goals can help you stay focused and motivated. Here are some tips on setting effective goals:

• Set both short-term and long-term goals. A short-term goal could be writing a certain number of words per day, while a long-term goal could be completing a novel in a year.
• Make your goals achievable but challenging. This can help you push your writing skills to the next level.
• Track your progress. Seeing how far you've come can be incredibly motivating.

Remember: Setting personal goals is like creating a roadmap for your writing journey. It keeps you on track and makes the destination seem achievable.

Celebrating small wins can boost your motivation and make the writing process more enjoyable. Here's how:

• Celebrate each completed chapter, blog post, or poem. These small victories are stepping stones to your larger goals.
• Share your accomplishments with others. Whether it's a supportive friend, a writing group, or your social media followers, sharing your progress can be motivating and rewarding.
• Give yourself a small reward for each achievement. This could be as simple as a cup of your favorite coffee or a walk in the park.

Tip: Celebrating small wins can make the writing process more enjoyable and keep your motivation levels high. It's all about enjoying the journey, not just the destination.

Keeping a writing journal can be a great source of motivation and a way to track your progress. Here's how you can use a writing journal:

• Record your daily writing achievements, no matter how small they may seem.
• Write down your thoughts, ideas, and inspirations. They could be useful for your future writing projects.
• Reflect on your writing journey. This can help you see how much you've grown as a writer.

Note: A writing journal is more than just a record of your writing—it's a tool that can help you stay motivated and inspired.

Staying motivated as you navigate the world of writing mechanics is key. With these strategies, you can keep your writing spirit high, no matter the challenges you face.

As you continue to explore "what is mechanics in writing", it's important to stay grounded and focused. Practicing mindfulness can bring clarity to your writing process and instill calmness in your practice. Here's how.

Meditation can help you clear your mind and focus on your writing. Consider these steps:

• Before you begin a writing session, take a few minutes to meditate. This can help clear your mind and prepare you for focused writing.
• Focus on your breath or a calming word or phrase during your meditation.
• Try to make meditation a part of your daily writing routine for maximum benefits.

Keep in mind: Meditation isn't about achieving a certain state—it's about being present and focused. This can greatly enhance your writing practice.

Mindful writing involves being present and focused while you write. Here's how to practice it:

• Before you start writing, take a moment to become aware of your surroundings. Notice the feel of the pen or keyboard under your fingers, the sound of your breath, the words forming in your mind.
• As you write, stay focused on the present moment and the words flowing from your mind to the page.
• When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your writing.

Remember: Mindful writing can help you write more clearly and creatively. It's about enjoying the process, not just the end result.

Staying present while writing can help you write more effectively and enjoy the process more. Consider these tips:

• Try to stay focused on your writing, without worrying about the past or the future.
• If you find your mind wandering, gently bring it back to the task at hand.
• Take regular breaks to rest and refocus.

Note: Staying present while writing isn't always easy, but it's worth the effort. It can bring a new level of depth and enjoyment to your writing practice.

Practicing mindfulness can bring calmness and clarity to your writing practice. As you continue to explore the mechanics of writing, remember to stay present and enjoy the process.

Understanding "what is mechanics in writing" is a journey that involves continuous learning and improvement. Here's how you can reflect on your progress and plan for improvement.

Receiving feedback is a powerful way to improve your writing. You can:

• Ask friends, family, or fellow writers to read your work and give their opinions.
• Consider their feedback and decide which suggestions can help improve your writing.
• Apply these suggestions in your next piece of writing.

Don't forget: Feedback is not about criticism, it's about growth. Every piece of advice is a step towards becoming a better writer.

Tracking your writing progress can help you see how far you've come and where you can improve. Here are some ways you can do this:

• Keep a record of the pieces you've written, noting the date, word count, and any feedback you received.
• Every few weeks or months, review your progress and note any patterns or improvements.
• Use this information to guide your future writing efforts.

Tip: Analysing your progress can help you appreciate your growth and inspire you to keep improving. It's a way of saying "look how far you've come!"

Once you've analysed your progress, it's time to plan for further improvement. Here's how:

• Identify areas where you'd like to improve. This might be grammar, vocabulary, or a specific aspect of writing mechanics.
• Create a plan to work on these areas. This might involve setting aside time for study, joining a writing group, or taking a course.
• Stick to your plan and review it regularly to ensure it's helping you reach your goals.

Remember: Improvement is a journey, not a destination. As you continue to learn about the mechanics of writing, celebrate your progress and always strive to do better.

Understanding "what is mechanics in writing" is a lifelong journey. By reflecting on your progress and planning for improvement, you can continue to grow and develop as a writer. And remember, every step you take is a step towards becoming a better writer.

If you're eager to improve your writing skills and learn more about the art of storytelling, be sure to check out Jessy Moussallem's workshop titled ' Scriptwriting '. This workshop provides valuable insights, tips, and techniques to help you craft compelling scripts and elevate your writing abilities to the next level.

Live classes every day

Learn from industry-leading creators

Get useful feedback from experts and peers

Best deal of the year

* billed annually after the trial ends.

*Billed monthly after the trial ends.

Table of Contents

Ai, ethics & human agency, collaboration, information literacy, writing process.

• © 2023 by Joseph M. Moxley - University of South Florida

Learn about mechanics -- the rules and conventions that inform written as opposed to spoken discourse.

What are Mechanics ?

Mechanics are the conventions or rules that govern written language , including

Capitalization

• Parts of Speech
• Parts of a Sentence

Punctuation

• Run-on Sentences
• Sentence Fragments
• Sentence Errors
• Sentence Patterns
• Sentence Structures

Mechanics are a socio-cultural-rhetorical construct. Mechanics evolve over time as communication technologies and discourse communities/communities of practice evolve.

Related Concepts: Grammar ; Register

Why Do Mechanics Matter?

Mechanics enable writers, speakers, and knowledge makers . . . to communicate with audiences .

Mechanics and grammar are the rules and conventions that inform communicative practices among members of a discourse community. Mechanics rules are for governing written language.

When writers violate conventions related to mechanics, readers are likely to be confused.

Mechanics vs Grammar

Mechanics and grammar are interrelated concepts. For some users, they are equivalent terms. Traditionalists make this distinction, however:

• Grammars govern the language patterns of oral discourse
• Mechanics govern the language patterns of written discourse.

While this distinction between mechanics and grammar is nice and tidy, it breaks down in practice. Some elements of language practice pertain to both written and oral discourse. This may explain why Grammar Handbooks and online websites (e.g., The Owl at Purdue University or Grammarly.Com or Wikipedia) disagree about whether or not some elements of discourse such as Modifiers , Parallelism (Parallel Structure) , Punctuation or Sentence Fragments should be indexed under Grammar or Mechanics.

Regardless, the takeaway here is that you need a firm grounding in grammar and mechanics in order to edit your work on the work of others.

Mechanics as a Socio-cultural-historical-Rhetorical Process

Mechanics evolve  over time as technologies empower new methods of composing . 

Related Articles:

Suggested Edits

• Please select the purpose of your message. * - Corrections, Typos, or Edits Technical Support/Problems using the site Advertising with Writing Commons Copyright Issues I am contacting you about something else
• Your full name
• Your email address *
• Page URL needing edits *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Understand the logic and cognitive science behind punctuation

• Joseph M. Moxley

Featured Articles

Academic Writing – How to Write for the Academic Community

Professional Writing – How to Write for the Professional World

Credibility & Authority – How to Be Credible & Authoritative in Speech & Writing

🌟 New Update: As of JAN 30, 2024, Experience enhanced grammar and punctuation detection! 🚀

Top 10 Mechanics of Writing To Improve Writing Skills

Grammar in writing isn’t about avoiding errors but providing strength to sentences. Learning all the grammatical rules is necessary if you want to be a good writer.

Not only will it upgrade your writing skills, but it will also help shape productive text. A firm grip on grammatical aspects conveys the content with utmost clarity. Understanding the grammatical rules is vital for applying them to the content.

Writing is one of the easiest ways of showing your ideas to the world. It provides you with the self-assurance of bringing your thoughts into reality. Yet, the most unfortunate thing is when a reader fails to understand your sentences. That’s where the need for writing mechanics steps in.

What is mechanics in writing?

Have you ever wished to improve your writing skills as a content writer? You might confuse over where you should begin. Let’s start our venture with the basics. Writing mechanics make a piece of text precise and correct.

It brings an alignment in the content. Also, it focuses on correcting the spelling, punctuations, sentence structure, and everything that’s wrong.  

These are the writing rules that every writer must follow while preparing reports. In this way, their research looks authentic, and they appear to be professional in the field. The ones who don’t mind writing mechanics get undesirable results. If the content looks clumsy, how would the reader get your message?

Research says that reporting without using writing mechanics is of no use at all. They’re the set standards but considering them is still a good idea.

Top 10 Writing mechanics: Are they worth it?

Even when we start learning the basics of writing, grammar is the very first tool that we’ve to get a command on. It is a language’s structure and tone.

Writing mechanics play a significant role in this cause. When you understand them, you’ll know the usage of words and how to put them within the report. We’ve appeared with the Topmost commonly used for a more detailing session. Read on to acknowledge them.

1. Capitalization:

Capitalization highlights all the vital details in a sentence. Be it a place or people, we’ve to capitalize them to notify the reader that we’re mentioning something important. Improper capitalization might not affect the meaning behind the word, but it can misalign the text. It gives a separate identity to every written paragraph and allows a smooth flow.

At first, the rules of writing capitalization appear simple. Every writer must know to capitalize the nouns and the first word of every sentence.

If we’re adding in any quotations as an example, then capitalization is a must as well. Usually, we don’t capitalize after a colon, but there might be exceptions. What can you do if you’re unsure whether something is a noun or not?

2. Punctuation:

Do you think punctuation isn’t worth learning in English writing? Every writer must know that writing is quite challenging to understand without punctuation. Using correct punctuation allows you to convey your ideas to the readers. Punctuation as a writing mechanic is to bring comprehension to a report.

For instance, the term ‘Let’s play, john’ and ‘let’s eat Fred’ doesn’t seem different. Yet, it affects the meaning of a sentence because of a comma.

Punctuation clarifies sentence structure by separating some texts and grouping others. It includes commas, semicolons, dashes, hyphens, apostrophes, quotation marks, and so much more.

A writer should consider all of them before switching their thoughts to a paper. It’s a tiny part of a sentence, but it is more impactful. They’ll get the message while extracting all the essential points out of it.

3. Parts of Speech:

If you’re a writer, you wouldn’t be unfamiliar with the parts of speech. Words are the vital elements of each sentence. Based on their functions, parts of speech classifies into eight categories.

These categories include nouns, adverbs, verbs, prepositions, adjectives, conjunction, and interjection. Knowing the difference between all of them is essential for effective communication. Learning the definitions is not necessary, but understanding and using them properly is the key. Let’s unfold the details together.

• Noun : 

It is the easiest among all the other parts of speech. It refers to persons, things, places, animals, and events. 

• Pronoun begins with a capital letter highlighting places, persons, or things.  
• Verb:  It refers to the state of being in an action of the subject. It is another central part of speech that provides completeness to a sentence. 
• Adverb:  It usually changes the verb and adjective. Often, it describes another verb.  
• Adjective:  This part of speech improves the existence of a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It adds more data about the size and quality. 
• Conjunction:  It makes each sentence interesting to read by connecting words, phrases, and clauses.  
• Preposition  refers to the words supporting a noun or a pronoun to show time, direction, and place. 
• Interjection:  It refers to the text showing some emotions.  

4. Abbreviations:

To abbreviate is to lessen an existing word. It’s fine to use them, but there’s a series of rules for words to shorten. Ideally, readers aren’t familiar with it unless you’re going for a technical write-up.

The best way of using it is to add a full title first, followed by an abbreviation. After doing it, you can use only the acronym throughout. Try familiarizing your readers instead of leaving them to wonder what you mean.

5. Spellings:

No reader wants to read wrong spellings within the content, not selective. Improper spellings remove credibility and damage your reputation as a writer.

It might happen, but no one pays heed to it. As long as you provide a flawless piece of content with spelling errors, they’ll stick to it. The arrival of an automated writing tool allows checking up on any spelling mistakes. Yet, you can’t rely on spellers entirely; instead, you must be attentive as well.

6. Parts of sentences:

The parts of sentences show how writers shape sentences from smaller pieces. You might confuse parts of speech with sentences, but they both function differently. The position of sentences forms the basic vocabulary of grammar. It would be better for your writing career if you took some time off to learn and understand them.

There’re no such rules for sentence structuring. Writers can go with the flow without designing it, but they must meet the requirements. Sentences allow you to outshine your creativity. Parts of writing, including subjects, objects, clauses, and phrases helps clarify your sentences. Showing cordiality with creativity in paragraphs is a sign of a good writer.

7. Eliminating Repeated words:

Using synonyms and antonyms of similar words reduces continuity in sentences. Generally, repeating the exact words within the content isn’t pleasing to the eyes as well. It wouldn’t affect your goals but indeed upset a reader. Often, the audience reads written reports to enhance their vocabulary and English skills.

What if they get to read similar words twice or thrice? Will they find your text informative or productive? They won’t. Writers must remember this writing mechanic to bring uniqueness to their works. If you’ve no other choice, try to use them distantly so that it wouldn’t look crowded. .

8. Homophones and Homographs:

Beginner writers quickly get confused with this part of English speech. We’re referring to homophones, in which many words in English grammar sound and are spelled similarly. However, the meanings are utterly different. For instance, words like ‘there,’ ‘their,’ or ‘your,’ or ‘you’re’ seem similar. It sounds the like same but used in a completely different way.

On the other hand, we have homographs, the texts with exact spellings but different pronunciations and meanings. For instance, words like “lead” can be applied in two cases, one as a noun and another as a verb, in a different sense.

9. Subject-Verb agreement:

Most writers aren’t familiar with subject-verb agreement, especially the newbies. Knowing the right forms of the verb and then mixing them with the subjects makes your sentences understandable. It’s a creative practice, and only experienced writers command it. However, by this writing mechanics into their content, beginners can reach the highest level of professionalism. The subject must always relate to the verb in writing, so this writing rule makes your content amusing to read. Readers find the incorrect usage of verbs quite offensive. 

10. Run-on sentences:

Often, it might just be an illusion that your sentences have followed proper writing mechanics. A run-on sentence occurs when independent clauses are misconnected. For instance, “I love to eat pies I would eat one every day if I got the chance.”

There’re two complete sentences combined in a single one. The writers, familiar with run-on sentences, must’ve got the absence of a comma between the sentences. It’s easy to miss it if you’re unaware of this writing mechanic. The only perfect way of spotting these errors is to understand them. Of course, you wouldn’t want your readers to judge you for such minor mistakes.

Pro tips for using Writing mechanics:

Now that you’ve already made up your mind regarding your next copy, we would suggest getting a hold on the following pointers.

• Significance of Writing mechanics:

Believe it r not, writing mechanics matter even in the texts and tweets. Let’s say you send in a blog post to a social side for consideration. Odds say that they’ll be going through a massive pile of submissions. If your report has multiple grammatical errors, it might end up in the trash. When trying to become a better version as a writer, it’s always helpful to strengthen punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

• Choosing the right words:

Every form of communication requires the proper choice of words. For this purpose, avoid using words that are unclear and difficult. Instead, opt for easier words with similar meanings. Depending on the terms you select, you’ll grab the audience’s attention right away, or bore them up, so choose your texts wisely.

• Writing Regularly:

The most efficient tip for improving your writing skills is regularly practicing them. Treat writing like a full-day job , take it seriously, and stay stick to one goal until you succeed.

• Reading consistently:

Professional writers suggest reading as much as possible. After all, can you write well if you haven’t done your research? Read biographies, mysteries, creative stories, science-fiction, and everything you’re interested in. Remember that reading is the key, regardless of whether it’s in your niche or not.

• Reviewing and revising:

In writing, you might assume that the finishing line is the completion of an article. However, revision is equally essential. Opt for effortless and less wordy paragraphs, the ones that readers efficiently finish within minutes. It is because preceding your content with hard-to-understand texts serves no real purpose. Writing involves a lot of revision to get it ready for publishing.

Final thoughts:

Just like a mechanic is someone whose job is to maintain and repair engines, especially for vehicles. He aims to make them flawless, so the user would comfortably travel in the long haul without any nuisance. Similar is in the case of writing mechanics.

Every reader wants to read without any inconvenience, but grammatical errors and other issues might distract. In this regard, the above-evaluated writing mechanics comes in handy. Not only would they make your report perfect, but they also help improve your writing skills. Not to forget, these are the writing rules that no writer can avoid in any case, or he’ll lose his credibility.

Free Grammar And Punctuation Check!

Grammarlookup uses artificial intelligence to check grammar and punctuation mistakes in your writing, eliminate spelling errors, and highlight 1000s of style issues to make your writing exceptional.

About The Author

Muhammad Ali Sheharyar

Related posts, british vs. american english: top 21 differences.

Do American and British English have significant differences or are these slight accent problems?  If you talk to any British, they would say, Americans don’t…

Read More »

25 Most Common Confusing Words in English

We face trouble understanding a few words, as they confuse us with meaning. Then Vs. Than & Gray vs. Grey has always been giving me trouble until…

1 thought on “Top 10 Mechanics of Writing To Improve Writing Skills”

Wow what a wonderful explanation. Learnt a lot. Thank you so much.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Mechanics of Writing Composition

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In composition , writing mechanics are the conventions governing the technical aspects of writing , including spelling , punctuation , capitalization , and abbreviations . Getting your main points together can be a challenge, and one solution is to put together a draft of main ideas before writing. Some writing textbooks also include issues related to usage and organization under the broad heading of mechanics. Here are the basics of writing mechanics for students and writers.

Writing Mechanics

"Teachers using a traditional, product-oriented approach tend to focus on the formal mechanical and technical aspects of writing while paying little attention to the individual writer's communicative purposes. Thus with this approach there is a danger that, for many children, writing will become an exercise in formal mechanics divorced from personal content and intentions." Joan Brooks McLane and Gillian Dowley McNamee,  Early Literacy . Harvard University Press, 1990

In written language,  spelling  is the correct arrangement of  letters  that form  words . To improve spelling skills, you can use a memory device known as mnemonics . This memorable phrase, acronym or pattern can come in handy for remembering something like the spelling of a word. You can also increase your reading skills, make a list of common words you often misspell or mark words in a dictionary that seem to give you trouble repeatedly.

Punctuation

Punctuation is the set of marks used to regulate  texts  and clarify their meanings, mainly by separating or linking words,  phrases , and  clauses .

" [R]evision  involves  critical thinking  about content, with secondary consideration to mechanics and neatness. This does not mean that technical aspects of writing can be ignored but that introductions to a revision that seems to privilege rote application of rules and neatness over critical interaction with text (however brief it may be for beginners) conveys entirely the wrong message to young authors. As children learn the cognitive processes involved in revision, they acquire the inclination to monitor and revise their work in all areas." Terry Salinger, "Critical Thinking and Young Literacy Learners." Teaching Thinking: An Agenda for the Twenty-First Century , ed. by Cathy Collins and John N. Mangieri. Lawrence Erlbaum, 1992)

Capitalization

Capitalization is the practice of using  capital letters  in writing or printing. Proper nouns , key words in  titles , and beginnings of  sentences  are generally capitalized . You will also want to capitalize the letter "I" under all circumstances.

"Capitalization and punctuation are the mechanics of writing. They are not simply rules that we must memorize and follow; they are specific signals to the reader. These mechanics are used to determine the meaning and to clarify intent. It is possible to change the connotation  of a sentence by altering punctuation and/or capitalization." ​ Maureen Lindner,  English Language and Composition . Career Press, 2005

Abbreviations

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase, such as "D.C." for "District of Columbia."

"Mechanics, in theory, includes matters such as usage and spelling, as well as  hyphenation  and the use of  italics . Essentially, mechanics refers to a set of conventions—how to abbreviate and when to capitalize, for example." Robert DiYanni and Pat C. Hoy II,  The Scribner Handbook for Writers , 3rd ed. Allyn and Bacon, 2001

• revision (composition)
• Editing and Proofreading Marks in Composition
• Best Practices for the Most Effective Use of Paragraphs
• Definition and Examples of Periods: Full Stop
• When To Capitalize Letters in Spanish
• Writing Dates in Spanish
• Abbreviations and Acronyms for English Learners
• The Difference Between Revising and Editing
• 6 Traits of Writing
• 10 Tips for Using Abbreviations Correctly
• Focusing in Composition
• Abstracting & Transcribing Genealogical Documents
• What is Copyediting?
• How to Form a Balanced Sentence
• Conventions of Editing House Style
• Capitalization in German

• Services Growth Roadmap SEO Only Content Only SEO + Content Video
• Free Training

Writing Mechanics: The Secret to Effective Writing

In this article

Conveying your thoughts effectively in written form isn’t the easiest of things to do. It’s frustrating, not being able to get your point across because the reader can’t follow the flow of your sentences. This is where knowledge of the proper writing mechanics comes in.

Following the appropriate rules of writing is a tried and tested way of improving reader comprehension.

At our  content marketing agency , we review and compare the best writing apps and MasterClass classes so that you don’t have to. In this article, we’ll outline these rules, and the ways each one can be used effectively in your work. Before we begin though, let’s give you a bit of an idea of what writing mechanics actually are.

Disclosure: These reviews are reader-supported. We might earn a small commission if you purchase something through our site. Learn more

Make Writing Fun Again

Set and forget your writing conventions by running Grammarly in the background. Save 20% with our exclusive link .

Grammarly Best All-Around

• Only supports English
• Expensive without our link

Grammarly Premium Walkthrough Video

What Are Writing Mechanics?

Writing mechanics are the established rules that should be followed when writing sentences. They go hand in hand with grammar as the standards to follow when writing and are an important way to effectively communicate ideas.

By consensus, the rules on grammar and writing mechanics have become the official standard. They aren’t set in stone though but using them as a guide is still a good idea.

#1: Parts of speech

The classifications of parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives among others is one of the most important things to know if you’re a writer. Knowing the difference between a verb and an adverb, or a preposition from a conjunction, plays a big part in being able to communicate effectively. It’s not really necessary to be familiar with the definitions of each, but knowing how to use them properly is.

#2: Parts of sentences

There are no hard and fast rules about making sentences.

This is actually a good thing, as it allows you a lot of leeway to exercise your creativity. Knowing the parts of sentences such as subjects, objects, phrases, and clauses helps to give your sentences cohesion.

Being able to observe harmony while being creative with sentence structure is the sign of a good writer.

#3: Sentence errors

Sometimes, even sentences that seem to be correct may still not follow proper writing mechanics.

Run-on sentences, dangling participles, and faulty parallelism among others, are easy to miss if you aren’t familiar with them. The only way to actually spot these errors is to know what to look for. Ultimately, you should be aware of these types of sentence errors to avoid committing them yourself. At our  content marketing age ncy , our writers use Grammarly to follow the appropriate writing mechanics.

#4: Subject-Verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is easy to miss, especially for novice writers. Knowing the proper or singular forms of verbs and then matching them to the subject as is required makes your sentences easier to understand.

Subject-verb agreement also makes your work more enjoyable to read. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can be grating to a reader, especially if committed often in a single work.

#5: Capitalization

Improper capitalization may not exactly affect the meaning behind the words that you use, but it does help keep your sentences organized. Capitalization signals to a reader the important details in a sentence.

People, places, and ideas that are capitalized give them a hint as to the significance of that word. Capitalization also helps your sentences and paragraphs flow better as it signals the beginning of each sentence that you use.

#6: Punctuation

There’s a joke that can easily convey the importance of proper punctuation. The difference between ‘Let’s eat, Fred,’ and ‘Let’s eat Fred’ is a simple comma, but it changes the meaning significantly. One is a dinner invitation, the other is cannibalism!

Using the correct punctuation gives you the ability to convey your ideas to the reader exactly as you intended. Punctuation may be a small part of the sentence as a whole, but it definitely has a big impact.

#7: Spelling

No one really wants to see bad spelling, certainly not a discerning reader. Improper spelling takes away from your work and gives a reader fewer reasons to finish it.

Fortunately, most modern text programs have spell checkers that can identify errors. You really shouldn’t be too complacent though. Even spell checkers can miss words that are spelled correctly but used improperly.

#8: Abbreviations

Never use abbreviations that aren’t familiar to your readers unless you’re trying to hide the meaning intentionally. The best practice would be to use the full title first, followed immediately by the abbreviation.

Once this is done, you could use the abbreviation instead. Familiarize your reader with the abbreviations that you use, don’t let them have to wonder what they actually mean.

#9: Homonyms, homographs and homophones

This is a part of English speech that can easily confuse a novice writer. A lot of words in the English language sound alike or are spelled alike but have different meanings. The words ‘ there,’ ‘their,’ and ‘they’re,’ or ‘you’re’ and ‘your’ come easily to mind. They sound the same but are significantly different.

Words like leaves can have different meanings depending on the context. It may be the singular present tense of leave, or the plural of leaf. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the difference.

#10: Eliminating redundancy

Using synonyms, and antonyms of words reduces redundancy in sentences. It’s not a thing that would really affect the ideas that you want to convey, but it can be off-putting to a reader. Try to limit using similar words, at least in the same sentence or paragraph.

If you must repeat words, try to space them out so that they don’t seem too jarring. If you run out of synonyms, you could always use the negative of an antonym to convey the same idea. Additionally, with an AI writer , the possibilities for creating engaging and persuasive content are endless.

The Proper Mechanics of Writing: A Summary

Let’s go over some of the most important mechanics of writing that you need to be familiar with before you get started on your masterpiece.

• Mastering the proper usage of quotation marks.
• Ensuring that both grammar and spelling are correct. Knowing grammar rules is extremely vital.
• Mastering punctuation.
• Knowing how, where, and when to use apostrophes.
• Creating a concise topic sentence or thesis.
• Being able to form coherent sentence structures and avoiding sentence fragments.
• Ensuring that capitalization is used properly.
• Having a mastery of the English vocabulary.
• Knowing how to formulate concise paragraphs that are not too wordy.

Hopefully, this article has enlightened you on the proper use of grammar and writing mechanics to improve your overall writing skills .

Effectively conveying your thoughts on paper is admittedly much easier when both the writer and the reader understand each other. If you still have questions about the topic, feel free to contact us for more information or read our review on the best grammar checker.

Get long-term ROI.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

9 Getting the Mechanics Right

“correctness” in writing.

Many students assume—or fear—that college writing is judged primarily on its grammatical correctness. Ideas, evidence, and arguments matter more than the mechanics of grammar and punctuation; however, many of the rules of formal writing exist to promote clarity and precision which writers much achieve in order to effectively convey ideas, evidence, and arguments. In addition, texts that observe the rules of formal written English tend to be more persuasive by making the author appear well informed and careful. Writing replete with errors does not make a great impression , and most educators want to help students present themselves well. Correctness, then, isn’t the most important thing, but it does matter.

Another common assumption among students is that one is either good at grammar or not good at grammar, and that such is one’s immutable fate. Not true. Once you master a particular rule or practice, it becomes second nature, and then you can focus your attention on mastering another. I finally nailed down commas and semicolons in college and some finer points of grammar in graduate school. I do a lot of formal writing in the course of my career, and I still look things up in a writing handbook from time to time. You can master the practices of formal written English, and college is a great time to use the feedback from your professors to identify your common errors and learn to correct them.

In thinking about correctness, it’s important to recognize that some rules are more important than others. Joseph Williams helpfully distinguishes three kinds of rules. [1] First, there are rules that are basic to English, such as “the car” not “car the.” For example,

INCORRECT: I thought whether true claims not.

CORRECT: I hadn’t thought about whether the claims were true.

If you’ve gotten most of your formal education in English, you probably observe these rules routinely. If your writing has mismatches of number (singular/plural) or tense, it might be due to haste or carelessness rather than unawareness. Similarly, capitalizing the first word of a sentence and ending with appropriate punctuation are basic rules that most people comply with automatically when writing for a professor or in other formal situations.

Williams’ second category is comprised of rules that distinguish standard written English from the informal variants that people use in their day-to-day lives. Most students with middle-class and non-immigrant backgrounds use informal vernaculars that closely parallel standard written English. Students with working-class or more modest backgrounds or who are members of transnational and multi-lingual communities may use informal variants of English in their everyday lives that are quite different from standard written English. It’s an unfortunate reality of social inequality that such students have to expend more effort than their middle-class English-speaking counterparts to master the standard conventions. It’s not really fair, but at least the mechanics and rules of formal writing are documented and unambiguous. Learning to communicate effectively in different social contexts is part of becoming an educated person.

Some examples:

INFORMAL:We ain’t got no more of them cookies.

FORMAL: We don’t have any more of those cookies.

INFORMAL: My coat, my phone, and my keys was all lock in the car.

FORMAL: My coat, my phone, and my keys were all locked in the car.

INFORMAL: u shd go 2 café b4 wrk bc coffee

FORMAL: You should go the café before work to get some coffee.

The informal versions are clearly English, and they’re widely understandable to others. The first and second examples contain choices of tense, number, and punctuation that are inappropriate in standard written English even though they don’t actually impede communication . Most students already understand that these first two categories of rules (rules fundamental to English and the rules of standard written English) are obligatory for formal writing.

There is a third category of rules that Williams notes and enthusiastically criticizes; he calls them “invented rules” because they usually arise from busybody grammarians rather than enduring patterns of customary language use. Some invented rules Williams calls “options”: those that your reader will notice when you observe them and not care if you don’t. Here’s an example of the fabled don’t-end-a-sentence-with-a-preposition rule :

OBSERVING THE RULE: With which concept can we analyze this problem?

IGNORING THE RULE: Which concept can we analyze this problem with?

Some grammarians would claim that only the first version is correct. However, you probably have the (accurate) impression that professional writers are much more likely to choose the second version. This rule does not reflect real-life customary practice, even in standard written English. That’s why Williams calls it an “invented rule.” Most of your professors are fine with the second version above, the one that ends a sentence with a preposition.

Similarly, there’s this murky idea out there that one should not split infinitives ; that is, one should not have any words between “to” and the verb that follows. Here’s an example:

OBSERVED: to go boldly where no one has gone before

IGNORED: to boldly go where no one has gone before

Again, while some grammarians have argued that conscientious writers should avoid splitting infinitives, most professional writers have ignored that claim. The second version, which puts the adverb (“boldly”) within the infinitive (that is, between “to” and “go”) makes for a perfectly clear and pleasing phrase. The invented rule about splitting infinitives is an attempt to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. If you want to give your writing more of a scholarly air, you could observe some or all of these optional rules. But, unless your professor has a particular penchant for one of these invented rules, you can safely ignore them.

Williams calls the second sub-category of invented rules “folklore.” They’re invented rules (like “options”) in that grammarians think writers should observe them, but, in reality, no one does. Williams gleefully lists instances in which the very grammarians who propose these rules go on to unselfconsciously violate them. [2] You may have heard of these rules, but they’re widely considered absurd.

For example, some grammarians are dismayed that people use “that” and “which” interchangeably, and they argue that writers should use “that” to indicate restrictive elements and “which” to indicate non-restrictive elements. A restrictive element is one that makes a necessary specification about something; a non-restrictive element is one that simple adds extra information. Consider these two examples:

The party that Alex went to was shut down by the police.

The party which Alex went to was shut down by the police.

For almost all readers, versions 1 and 2 are saying the exact same thing. For the persnickety grammarian, version 1 is specifying the party that Alex went to, and not the party that, say, Jordan went to, while version 2 is simply inserting extra information about Alex’s attendance at the party. According to these grammarians, “that Alex went to” adds critically needed information (restrictive) while “which Alex went to” adds bonus information (non-restrictive).

As Williams and some others explain: it’s bullshit . Professional writers use commas and carefully chosen words to do the job of distinguishing restrictive and non-restrictive elements, and they choose whichever relative pronoun (“that” or “which”) sounds better in context. You could observe the distinction between that and which if you like, but no one would notice. More importantly, observing this invented rule wouldn’t necessarily make your writing any clearer, more concise, or more graceful.

There is one rule that Williams calls “folklore” that you probably have to observe in college papers nonetheless: that is, the rule that you can’t start sentences with But, And, So, For, or Yet (or other coordinating conjunctions) . I’m sure you could browse through assigned readings and articles published in major newspapers and magazines that violate this so-called rule. Here are two examples that took me about 10 minutes to find:

From the front page of the New York Times January 7, 2014 : [3] “But since the financial crisis, JPMorgan has become so large and profitable that it has been able to weather the government’s legal blitz, which has touched many parts of the bank’s sprawling operations.” And a little further down we see, “Yet JPMorgan’s shares are up 28 percent over the last 12 months.”

From a news article in Science , December 21, 2007 : [4] “Altered winds blew in more warm air from the subtropics only in models in which mid-latitude oceans warmed as observed; apparently, the warmer oceans altered the circulation. And that ocean warming is widely viewed as being driven by the strengthening greenhouse.”

If you’re writing a paper for my class, feel free to begin sentences with conjunctions. As the above examples show, it’s a concise way to support clarity and effective flow. However, I suspect most instructors still hold to the old rule. Thus, you shouldn’t start sentences with “And,” “But” or other coordinating conjunctions unless you’ve been specifically invited to.

There are countless other rules that I don’t discuss here. The point of these examples is to show that you don’t have to observe every little rule you’ve ever heard of. There are some elements of mechanics that you have to master; I summarize some common ones below. These practices will gradually become second nature. It’s sometimes hard to know at the outset which rules are standard, which are options, and which are folklore. With the help of a good handbook and your instructors, you’ll learn them over time. The larger point I want to make here is that that observing rules isn’t about traversing a minefield of potential errors; it’s just about learning and adopting the practices appropriate to your audience, which is one of the first rules of writing well.

Elements of punctuation and language you must master

If you’ve gotten most or all of your formal education in English, you’ve mastered the vast majority of the real rules of grammar. Most of the students I work with just have to nail down a few additional practices to produce appropriate academic writing. There isn’t any great secret to learning them; they’re learned through repeated practice and feedback.

1. Comma usage

I didn’t really master correct comma usage until my college years. There was a year or so in which I constantly checked my work against a style guide, but since then I haven’t often had to think about commas. Here’s a brief run-down of the rules of comma usage that I see many students violating.

A. Use a comma to join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction:

CORRECT: Her misdeed was significant, but the punishment was excessive.

ALSO CORRECT: Her misdeed was significant but justified by the circumstances.

In the first example, the comma is telling the reader that one clause (her misdeed was significant) is ending and another (the punishment was excessive) beginning. The second example does not use a comma, because the words that follow “but” (justified by the circumstances) do not add up to an independent clause; they make a dependent clause that could not stand alone as a sentence.

Note: “Because” is NOT a coordinating conjunction. It’s a subordinating conjunction. Therefore, it does not use a comma:

INCORRECT: Conspiracy theories can be compelling, because many people distrust the government.

CORRECT: Conspiracy theories can be compelling because many people distrust the government.

“Because,” like other subordinating conjunctions (such as “although,” “unless,” or “until”), is meant to knit together one indivisible thought; hence, no comma. Including a comma weakens the connection in the mind of your reader.

B. Use a comma to mark the end of an introductory element

CORRECT: While we were eating, the baby crawled out of the room.

CORRECT: Alongside the road, we found the perpetrator’s gun.

CORRECT: Because many distrust the government, conspiracy theories can be compelling.

The first example would be comically confusing without the comma. The second example shows how the comma helps your reader separate the introductory element from the part that followed. The third example might be confusing. The sentence from part A, above, beginning with “Conspiracy theories” does not use a comma, but in this example, a dependent clause is serving as as an introductory element.

Learn these rules, and if you hate them, learn to love them. In college, writing stops being about “how well did you understand fill-in-the-blank” and becomes “how professionally and strongly do you argue your point.” Professionalism, I have found, is the key to the real world, and college is, in part, preparing you for it. If you do not learn how to write in a way that projects professionalism (i.e. these rules), then expect to get, at best, Cs on your papers.

Kaethe Leonard

C. Use a comma to set off non-essential information (so-called non-restrictive elements)

Both of these sentences are correct, but they convey different ideas:

EXAMPLE 1: Gathering places vital to their communities are worth the investment.

EXAMPLE 2: Gathering places, vital to their communities, are worth the investment.

The first says that only those gathering places that are vital to their communities are worth the investment (implying that some are not vital and therefore not worth investing in). In that first example, “vital to their communities” is a restrictive element. In the second example “vital to their communities” is extra information. The sentence implies that gathering places in general are worth the investment (ostensibly because they’re vital to their communities). The commas mark the phrase as non-essential information, which is a non-restrictive element. In writing the second sentence, you might enclose the non-essential information in parentheses instead.

2. Use punctuation and coordinating conjunctions to avoid sentence fragments

At some point, you were probably instructed that all sentences must have a subject (which includes a noun) and a predicate (which includes a verb) and that they must be written to stand alone. Consider this example of a sentence fragment :

INCORRECT: When you go to the supermarket. You don’t often think about the work behind the scenes.

It has a subject (you) and predicate (go to the supermarket), but the “when” indicates that the sentence is incomplete. When people write sentence fragments, they usually have the missing elements in the preceding or following sentences, so it’s really a punctuation error.

CORRECT: When you go to the supermarket, you don’t often think about the work behind the scenes.

ALSO CORRECT: You don’t often think about the work behind the scenes when you go to the supermarket.

In the first version the dependent clause (the part that couldn’t stand alone) comes first, necessitating a comma. In the second, the main clause (the part that could stand alone) comes first, so no comma is used.

3. Use punctuation and coordinating conjunctions to avoid run-on sentences and comma splices

A run-on sentence (one that smooshes two sentences together) may be incorrectly connected with a comma, which is then called a comma splice. This error is easily corrected with punctuation and some coordinating words.

INCORRECT (run-on): The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest literary works it had a major influence on Mesopotamian culture.

INCORRECT (comma splice): The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest literary works, it had a major influence on Mesopotamian culture.

Clearly, the writer wants the reader to see these two sentences as connected. He or she has three options to show their reader how the sentences relate.

CORRECT OPTION 1 (semi-colon): The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest literary works; it had a major influence on Mesopotamian culture.

The semi-colon is an elegant and underutilized option. By joining two sentences with a semi-colon, the writer can subtly tell the reader that the epic’s earliness and influence, together, make it important.

CORRECT OPTION 2 (comma and coordinating conjunction): The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest literary works, and it had a major influence on Mesopotamian culture.

The use of “and” in this option also tells the reader to put the two claims together. A more specific conjunction—such as “but,” “so”, or “yet”—is usually a better choice than “and” or a semi-colon because it would provide more information about how the two claims relate.

CORRECT OPTION 3 (separate sentences): The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest literary works. It had a major influence on Mesopotamian culture.

If you don’t want your reader to consider the two sentences closely related, you can convey that by choosing separate sentences. With the Gilgamesh example, you might choose this option if the paragraph is mostly about the influence of the epic on Mesopotamian culture but you have a good reason to include a sentence about how early it is. These two sentences would function well as the first two sentences of an introductory paragraph.

4. Use colons correctly for lists, quotations, and explanatory information

INCORRECT: We packed: clothes, camping equipment, and a first-aid kit.

CORRECT: We packed the essentials: clothes, camping equipment, and a first-aid kit.

For lists, use a colon when the part before the colon can stand alone as a sentence. Otherwise, leave the colon out (“We packed clothes, camping equipment, and a first-aid kit”).

INCORRECT: Mitchell explains that: “Part of the fascination of Gilgamesh is that, like any great work of literature, it has much to tell us about ourselves.” [5]

CORRECT: Mitchell explains the power of the epic: “Part of the fascination of Gilgamesh is that, like any great work of literature, it has much to tell us about ourselves.” [6]

You can use a colon to introduce a quote if the parts before and after the colon can stand as complete sentences. A comma is an option here as well. Introducing a quote with your own complete sentence and a colon is another underutilized trick in student writing. Recall from Chapter 5 that you have to use source material within your own analytical thread. Introducing a quote with your own complete sentence can make it immediately clear why the quote you choose is important to your argument.

5. Use modifiers clearly and precisely

Modifiers are words and phrases that add information to a sentence. They specify the meaning of (that is, they modify) a noun or verb. Sometimes the modifier is misplaced, ambiguous, or not clearly pertaining to a noun or verb (a so-called dangling modifier). These problems can lead the reader to wonder what exactly you’re claiming.

MISPLACED: The ski-jumper looked sleek in his new suit weighing only 140 pounds.

CORRECT: The ski-jumper looked sleek wearing a new suit and weighing only 140 pounds.

The suit didn’t weigh 140 pounds (one hopes); the ski-jumper did.

AMBIGUOUS: When formal rules and day-to-day practices differ, they should be changed.

CLEAR: Formal rules should be changed to match day-to-day practices.

CLEAR: Day-to-day practices should be changed to match the formal rules.

In the first version, it’s not clear what should be changed. The two clear versions make it obvious what the author is arguing.

DANGLING: Walking down the street, the houses glowed pink in the sunset.

CORRECT: Walking down the street, she saw houses glowing pink in the sunset.

The first version suggests that the houses were walking down the street. The pronoun to which that first phrase refers (“she”) is missing. The second version corrects that by bringing in the needed pronoun.

6. Choose correct words

Many wrong-word errors that I see seem to be artifacts of the spell-checkers built into word-processing programs. For example, I often see “costumers” where students meant “customers,” “defiantly” instead of “definitely” and, somewhat comically, “martial” instead of “marital.”

Other wrong-word errors come from homonyms, two or more words that sound the same, such as the there/their/they’re or your/you’re errors. In college writing, another common one is the misuse of effect/affect. Use “effect” if you’re talking about the result of a cause as a noun, and “affect” if you mean influence or talking about emotion in psychology (in which case it’s pronounced AF-fect).

CORRECT: The effects of the conflict have been long-lasting.

CORRECT: The conflict has affected everyday life throughout the country.

CORRECT: Research shows that the presence of living plants impact both cognition and affect.

“Effect” can also be a verb, in which case it means to bring about:

CORRECT: The conflict effected major international policy changes.

That sentence is saying that the conflict brought about policy changes. If you wanted to say that the conflict influenced (but did not itself cause) policy changes, you would write that the conflict affected policy changes.

The dilemma of gendered language in English

What to do about gender with an unspecified subject? In the past, the consensus was to always use “he” and readers were supposed to understand that the subject might be female. As you know, that’s no longer accepted . The culture of formal academic writing hasn’t settled on a widely supported solution yet, which creates a pervasive problem for the student writer.

Informally, using “they/their” as the neutral singular is becoming a common practice. For example, if a Facebook friend hasn’t specified a gender, Facebook used to exhort you to “write on their timeline” for “their birthday.” I hear this more and more in spoken language as well. For example, most people who hear this sentence spoken wouldn’t note a glaring problem: “A doctor who makes a mistake is often too scared to admit their slip-up.” However, in an academic paper, that sentence would be considered a pronoun-antecedent error because “doctor” is singular and “their” is still considered plural. Most of your professors still don’t accept they/their as a gender-neutral singular possessive. Hopefully in coming years, academic writing will come to accept this perfectly reasonable solution to the gendered language problem, but we’re not there yet.

My first semester in college, it was my standard practice to rotate back and forth between the male and female pronouns. I did not want to appear sexist and was unsure how to avoid doing so. Referring to the same hypothetical person in one of my papers I wrote, “When one is confronted by new information that does not fit tidily onto her personal map…” Later in the paragraph I referred to the same individual by saying, “This new information demands that he forsake the world of the Cave in which he had been raised.” Obviously, in retrospect, that was confusing and certainly not the best option. But it illustrates the point that this can be a challenging dilemma. Thankfully for you, three more appropriate solutions are provided in this chapter.

Peter Farrell

So what to do? Here are three possible solutions.

• Choose plurals when possible . For example, “Doctors who make mistakes are often too scared to admit their slip-ups.”
• Write “he or she” or “his or her” if it’s not too repetitive . You don’t want to have more than two or three such “ors” in a paragraph, but a couple wouldn’t be tedious for the reader. For example, one might write, “A doctor who makes a mistake is often too scared to admit his or her slip-up. He or she might be forbidden from doing so by hospital attorneys.”
• Consider whether a real-life example is better than a hypothetical subject . Long passages about hypothetical people and situations often lack argumentative force. If you’re writing a paper about medical errors, you might do better to replace hypothetical claims like the above example with real-life examples of physicians who have made mistakes but were reluctant or forbidden to acknowledge them. Better yet, discuss the results of studies of medical errors and their outcomes. In addition to solving the gendered language problem, real examples are more persuasive.

Remember, it’s about precision and respect. Whatever you do, don’t just write “he” for doctors, attorneys, and construction workers and “she” for nurses, social workers, and flight attendants. You also shouldn’t just write “he” or “his” for everything, expecting your readers to mentally fill in the “or she” and “or her” themselves. Doing so seems lazy, if not actively sexist . Showing respect through precise language about gender makes you seem much more credible.

This chapter does not (and could not) provide a complete run-down of formal English language usage. You would do well to bookmark a couple good reference sources to consult when questions arise. If your writing usually has a lot of errors in it, don’t despair. Identify one or two practices to master and then learn them, using the feedback from your instructors as a guide. You can’t become a flawless writer overnight (and no one writes flawlessly all the time). But over the course of a few semesters, you can certainly produce more precise text that presents your ideas in their best light.

Exercises and other resources

• Purdue OWL offers excellent exercises in grammar and mechanics. If you keep getting dinged in your papers for misplaced apostrophes, for example, you can review a lesson and find exercises on that topic.
• Most college libraries subscribe to online reference sources for their students. Go to your library’s website and look for proprietary guides like the Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style . These are often of much higher quality than the first few hits you get on Google.
• In Andrea Lunsford’s The Everyday Writer 5th ed. (New York: Bedford-St.Martin’s, 2012) she includes a list of the 20 most common errors in student writing . This site, like Diana Hacker’s, also offers free online exercises in mechanics.
• The three types of rules are explained in Williams and Bizup’s Style . Williams first described invented rules in J.M. Williams, “A Phenomenology of Error,” College Composition and Communication, 32, no. 2 (1981): 152-168. ↵
• J.M. Williams, Phenomenology of Error ↵
• Peter Eavis, “Steep Penalties Taken in Stride by JPMorgan Chase,” New York Times , January 7, 2014, page A1. ↵
• Richard A. Kerr, “Global Warming Coming Home to Roost in the American Midwest,” Science 318, no. 5858 (2007): 1859. ↵
• Stephen Mitchell, Gilgamesh: A New English Version (New York: Free Press, 2004). ↵
• Ibid. ↵

Writing in College Copyright © 2016 by Amy Guptill is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Feedback/errata.

Comments are closed.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Unit 4: Writing Mechanics

Writ course learning outcomes (lo) addressed.

• COMPOSE complete sentences and paragraphs using effective vocabulary  (LO 6).
• EXPRESS a clear written argument (LO 7).
• PROVIDE evidence in support of arguments (LO 8).
• APPLY basic principles of quotation and/or paraphrase integration (LO 9).

Rubric Spotlight

• Errors that are absent or minor
• An assured and sophisticated command of grammatical structures, punctuation, mechanics, usage
• Language use that enhances your message

Putting the Pieces Together Copyright © 2020 by Andrew Stracuzzi and André Cormier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development 

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting  students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page  if you have any questions or comments.

All the best,

Social Media

Facebook twitter.

• Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style

For many students, the discussion of grammar, mechanics, and style is intimidating. There are rules, and lots of them. And when rules are broken, some kind of inquisition or punishment is bound to follow. Any student who has experienced an instructor’s editorial comments (also known as the red pen “blood” in the margins of a paper) knows what it feels like to be a hapless violator of the rules.

Rules Matter

In academic writing, it is your job to make sure that the people who read what you write (your instructor and classmates) understand what you are trying to say. If your thoughts are not arranged appropriately, your readers may get confused. If you do not acknowledge and employ the rules of grammar, mechanics, and style, you are at a distinct disadvantage as a communicator.

The Grammar Report

Being able to identify grammatical, mechanical, or stylistic problems that exist in your writing is one way to improve your writing. These problems may have been with you for some time, failing to be identified, researched, and remedied.

The Grammar Report assignments will assist you in not only identifying your problem, but also you help you seek out examples of the problem, research the rules related to the problem, and finally “reporting” on your experience to your classmates. Indeed, the process is not just about you addressing a writing problem; it is about sharing your experience and remedies, so that you can teach others to avoid writing errors.

Improving Grammar, Mechanics, and Style

There are a wide variety of resources to support your research. A good place to start is the free online textbook,  Successful Writing . You can use the find/search feature of your browser to look up particular topics and use the practice exercises to work through the process of identifying and correcting errors.

Here are some online resources that you may find useful, as well:

• Capital Community College’s Guide to Grammar and Writing
• Grammar Book
• Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL)
• Grammar Girl

At some point, you may find that you share the same grammatical, mechanical, or stylistic problems with others in this course. Take a moment to look at the  most commonly occurring grammar errors listed in the “Attending to Grammar” materials developed by the Dartmouth Writing Program. Of the top 20 grammar errors listed, consider which ones are common to you. Then make sure you make every effort to eradicate them from your writing.

• Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : http://lumenlearning.com/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Authored by : Daryl Smith O' Hare and Susan C. Hines. Provided by : Chadron State College. Located at : http://www.csc.edu/ . Project : Kaleidoscope Open Course Initiative. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Image of red pen. Authored by : Daniel Silliman. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/9aZyfs . License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (Access Requires Login)

• Overview of Instructor Resources

An Overview of the Writing Process

• Introduction to the Writing Process
• Introduction to Writing
• Your Role as a Learner
• What is an Essay?
• Reading to Write
• Defining the Writing Process
• Videos: Prewriting Techniques
• Thesis Statements
• Organizing an Essay
• Creating Paragraphs
• Conclusions
• Editing and Proofreading
• Peer Review Checklist
• Comparative Chart of Writing Strategies

Using Sources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Formatting the Works Cited Page (MLA)
• Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA)
• APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Definition Essay

• Definitional Argument Essay
• How to Write a Definition Essay
• Critical Thinking
• Video: Thesis Explained
• Effective Thesis Statements
• Student Sample: Definition Essay

Narrative Essay

• Introduction to Narrative Essay
• Student Sample: Narrative Essay
• "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
• "Sixty-nine Cents" by Gary Shteyngart
• Video: The Danger of a Single Story
• How to Write an Annotation
• How to Write a Summary
• Writing for Success: Narration

Illustration/Example Essay

• Introduction to Illustration/Example Essay
• "She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D" by Perri Klass
• "April & Paris" by David Sedaris
• Writing for Success: Illustration/Example
• Student Sample: Illustration/Example Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay

• Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
• "Disability" by Nancy Mairs
• "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise" by Alex Wright
• "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard
• Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast
• Student Sample: Compare/Contrast Essay

Cause-and-Effect Essay

• Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Essay
• "Cultural Baggage" by Barbara Ehrenreich
• "Women in Science" by K.C. Cole
• Writing for Success: Cause and Effect
• Student Sample: Cause-and-Effect Essay

Argument Essay

• Introduction to Argument Essay
• Rogerian Argument
• "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman
• "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin
• How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material
• Writing for Success: Argument
• Student Sample: Argument Essay
• Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
• Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
• Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
• Mini-lesson: Fragments I
• Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
• Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
• Mini-lesson: Parallelism
• Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
• Mini-lesson: Capital Letters
• Grammar Practice - Interactive Quizzes
• De Copia - Demonstration of the Variety of Language
• Style Exercise: Voice

Why Are Writing Mechanics Important? (8 Key Reasons Explained)

Written language has added complications not seen in spoken communication. Careful attention must be paid to all the elements to ensure the message is conveyed accurately. Most people understand that grammar plays a crucial role in written language, but the importance of writing mechanics is not widely considered.

Writing mechanics are the rules and conventions for written language. They include spelling and punctuation, critical factors in written language, which can clarify the meaning or confuse the reader. Logical presentation and correct word choice, also a part of writing mechanics, affect meaning.

Some people may not understand the term writing mechanics, but they are familiar with the skills as they are taught in school.

The Reasons Writing Mechanics Are Important

There are many features of spoken language that assist in adding to the meaning. The tone of voice, inflections, and stress patterns give additional information not present in written language.

The physical environment, hand gestures, and facial expressions may help clarify a spoken message. These are also unavailable in written communications .

Written communication must be more precise and accurate to convey the intended meaning. Writing mechanics standardize how written language is presented to clarify the intent and content.

What Are Writing Mechanics?

Writing mechanics are the elements and conventions governing written language. Writing mechanics include punctuation, spelling, logical presentation, and correct word choice.

Writing mechanics are taught in school, usually under the subject of grammar. Teachers focus on assisting students with written language, as most have well-established spoken language skills by the time they reach primary school.

Why Is Punctuation Important?

Punctuation is important as it replaces the emotions conveyed by facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures. It also organizes information into discrete units that are more understandable. In spoken language, pauses help with information organization.

Why Does Capitalization Affect Meaning?

Capitalization allows our eye to automatically screen for important information such as subject and location. Capitalization makes a difference in meaning by indicating proper nouns.

Some words, known as capitonyms, are two words that are the same, but their meaning differs because one has a capital letter. Here are some examples:

• China (country) and china (porcelain)
• March (month) and march (walking)
• August (month or a name) and august (adjective)

Capitalization shows the beginning of a new sentence, which enables the words to make sense. A capital letter with a full stop tells the reader to take a breath.

You might also like: Does Grammar Matter Anymore?

Exclamation Marks, Question Marks, And Full Stops Meaning

Exclamation marks are one of the few tools in writing mechanics that help the writer express emotion . They are written at the termination of a sentence to express strong emotions such as surprise, anger, or excitement.

Questions are usually indicated by intonation in spoken communication. Sometimes question words such as what, who, or where are omitted, and the intonation alone show s that the speaker is asking a question.

Written language cannot show intonation, so all questions are marked with a question mark instead of a full stop.

Full stops, exclamation and question marks indicate the end of the sentence and are critical in allowing the reader to understand the text.

Commas Make A Difference In Meaning

Commas are critical in allowing the reader to understand the sentence correctly. Confusions easily occur when there are no commas.

“Let’s eat Jane” is a very different meaning to “Let’s eat, Jane.”

All Punctuation Clarifies Meaning

All punctuation clarifies the meaning, giving more information about the words. Colons, hyphens, semi-colons, and speech marks supply the reader with details not included in the words.

Paragraphs are sometimes referred to as conventions, and other teachers include them in punctuation. Paragraphs indicate a shift in the topic or the direction of the message. They signal to the reader that a change is coming, even if it is a slight one.

A chapter shows a completely new topic of discussion. It is used in novels to show a change in perspective or location. Many writers skillfully use chapters to build tension and lead readers to continue reading.

Spelling Is Important For Written Communication   

Spelling is the basic tool for combining letters to make words that have meaning. Having the ability to spell allows a person to communicate through writing.

Poor spelling skills severely hamper a writer’s ability to communicate effectively in a written format. One only has to consider the trials suffered by people with dyslexia to understand why spelling is such a critical element in writing.

The writer must use the vowels and consonants correctly to convey meaning. Consider these words, which all have a different meaning based on a change in only one letter:

Skilled readers use word closure to make sense of misspelled words, but it places a lot more pressure on the reader, and the meaning may be misunderstood. In some cases, readers may be unable to understand the message or understand it incorrectly. 

Choosing The Correct Word Affects Meaning

Choosing the correct word is sometimes interlinked with spelling. For example, it is vital to know which of the following word to choose:

• To, too, two
• You’re, you
• Where, were, we’re
• Their, there, they’re
• Effect, affect

During spoken communication, the conversational participants can immediately ask for and give clarification. Writers have one chance to communicate their message. They must choose the most appropriate word.

The following sentences show the change in meaning by changing one word:

• The man walked across the street.
• The man strolled across the street.
• The man rushed across the street.
• The man dawdled across the street.
• The man stumbled across the street.

Changing the verb gives us more information that changes the meaning subtly but importantly. If this were an eyewitness account of a road accident, the verb chosen would provide critical information that may affect the outcome of the investigation.

Also try: Does Grammar Include Spelling And Meaning?

Logical Presentation Affects The Meaning

One of the mechanics of writing is presenting information in a logical order. This element affects the reader’s grasp of the message the writer wishes to convey. It can be as important as spelling.

Readers expect the writer to convey information sequentially and logically ; confusion reigns when this does not happen.

An example of an illogical instruction for medicine:

Inhale two puffs, shake vigorously. The patient may use the medication and then wonder what should shake vigorously.

Do not use if cloudy. This instruction may have people looking to the skies to determine if it is safe to use the medicine.

Writing mechanics are as important as grammar in written language. They make sense of the words and give additional information. It is important to choose the correct punctuation, spelling, logic, and words, as there is only one chance to convey the meaning in written communication.

You might like: Do Native Speakers Make Grammar Mistakes?

Recent Posts

Can I Teach IELTS Without a Certificate or Qualifications?

The IELTS test is a key part of many non-native speakers' journey into entering a university in a native English-speaking country, such as the UK, or Canada. Teaching IELTS is a great way to gain...

How Bad Grammar Can Change Meaning (Real Examples)

Many people dismiss grammar as being unimportant. They claim that grammar adds little meaning to communication and is an unnecessary complication. Although grammar may change over time, it is still a...

In academic writing, ‘structure’ refers to the organisation and arrangement of the content within your assignment or research paper. A well-structured academic assignment follows a clear and logical format that helps the reader understand your argument, research or analysis.

In brief, an effective assignment involves:

• Following guidelines when planning your assignment’s structure , an understanding of the question, a content plan, and the identification of essential elements.
• Ensuring each assignment includes properly structured introductions , body paragraphs and conclusions .
• Well-written paragraphs , containing one primary idea, appropriate evidence and explanations to support your point.

Importance of structure

Structure in academic writing is important for several reasons, including ensuring clear and effective communication of ideas and providing a logical flow of information. Additionally, well-structured writing allows you to highlight important points and arguments by using clear topic sentences, as well as headings and subheadings if required.

Overall, a good structure improves readability and understanding. Your analysis and evidence might be at a high level, but if your writing doesn’t communicate this clearly, your readers may have difficulty engaging with it.

Structuring an assignment

How you structure your assignment will vary depending on the type of assignment and any specific requirements or guidelines provided by your instructor. Here are some general guidelines that you can adapt to suit your assignment type:

Understand your assignment question. Before you start structuring your assignment, make sure you thoroughly understand what you are being asked to write. Pay attention to the topic, scope, required format, and any specific instructions provided. Refer to the Getting started guide for more information on unpacking a question.

Calculate roughly how many paragraphs you will need to write to meet the required word count. This will help you determine how many main points you can make, which will then help create an outline.

Word Count Calculator

Use our handy calculator to determine roughly how many words you should use per paragraph of your assignment.

Enter assignment requirements

Keep in mind that this calculator should be used as a rough estimate for your paragraphs. You should aim for quality over quantity in your writing and ensure your ideas are expressed clearly, concisely, and are backed up by quality and credible evidence.

Plan your content. Consider what information and arguments you need to include in your assignment. Create a rough outline that lays out your assignment’s main sections and topics. This outline will serve as the foundation for your structure. Refer to the recommended structure on the assignment types page to create a more in-depth outline for each assignment type.

Include the essential elements. Most assignments will require an introduction, a body, a conclusion and a reference list.

Note: All assignment types have different structure and format requirements. This information on this page is intended as a general guide, so ensure that you check the assignment types page for any specific elements necessary for your assignment.

Introductions

Introductions are an important part of your assessment and will “set the scene” for your reader.

Your introduction should convey the message you will be presenting in the rest of your assignment and state the specific points you will be making without going into too much detail. A good way to start your introduction is to begin with a global statement, i.e., something that will capture the reader’s attention and provide context for the topic you are discussing, such as background information or a brief history of the subject. This can be followed by rewriting your assignment question as a statement, including your argument or stance on the topic*. Finish your introduction giving a brief overview of your paper and by mentioning the key points or sections it will cover.

*Note: In some assignments, particularly essays, you will need to include a thesis statement in the introduction.

Assignment example

• A global statement paragraph, followed by
• a context/background/relevance paragraph, followed by
• a thesis/argument paragraph.

Assignment question:

Will artificial intelligence ultimately benefit or harm humankind?

Introductory paragraph

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly advancing technology that has grown in application and efficiency in the past decade. There have been benefits and concerns regarding its use in different fields (e.g., healthcare).

With the release and popularity of generative AI, communities globally are experiencing firsthand how AI can improve efficiency and personalisation while also experiencing a rise in ‘AI-anxiety’ - “worries surrounding a lack of protection for online data privacy, job loss, and the possibility of overall human obsolescence” (Leffer, 2023).

Ultimately, artificial intelligence will benefit humankind; however, precautions should be taken to mitigate any potential for harm. This can be accomplished in several ways, including government regulations for the ethical collection and use of data, increased human oversight to prevent bias in training data, and investment in job protection for our future workforce.

You can expand on the background of your topic in the body of your assignment if needed. Generally, you wouldn’t include citations in your introduction as it should be primarily made up of your own ideas and opinions; however, if you reference specific sources or quotes, you will must cite them appropriately.

While some people prefer to write their introductions first, another strategy is to write it after the rest of your assignment. This way, you can easily refer to the content you’ve written in the body of your assignment. Whichever way you write it, you should always review your introduction alongside your content to ensure that it flows with the assignment and doesn’t introduce any information you haven’t included in your body paragraphs.

The body of an assignment forms the bulk of your word count/content and is where you present and expand on your main arguments and provide analysis and evidence to support your thesis or central topic.

• Divide the body of your assignment into logical sections or paragraphs. If your assignment covers multiple subtopics or themes, consider organising the content logically, such as broad to specific (e.g., global to local) or chronologically.
• Each section or paragraph should focus on a specific point related to your topic and contribute to the overall coherence of your assignment. These sections should flow logically and sequentially.
• Start each section or paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of that section.
• Provide relevant and reliable evidence, such as data, quotations or examples to support each point.
• Include analysis and interpretation of the evidence to support your arguments and explain the significance of your facts.
• Acknowledge (and perhaps refute) opposing viewpoints or counterarguments if applicable.
• Properly cite all sources used within the body of your assignment, following the referencing style specified in your assignment guidelines.
• Use linking sentences or phrases to ensure a smooth flow between sections.

Paragraph structure

A well-constructed paragraph is essential for conveying your ideas clearly and effectively. Body paragraphs typically consist of the following elements:

PEEL method

• Point: The topic sentence is the most crucial element of a paragraph. It states the main idea or point of the paragraph, providing readers with a clear indication of what to expect. It should be concise and specific.
• Evidence: After presenting the topic sentence, you need to provide evidence or examples to support your main idea. This can include data, facts, quotes from reputable sources, or examples from your research. Your evidence should be relevant and directly related to the topic sentence.
• Explanation/analysis: It’s not enough to merely present evidence; you also need to explain or analyse how the evidence supports your main idea. Demonstrate your critical thinking and understanding of the topic by explaining the significance of the evidence and its implications.
• Linking: Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas within the paragraph and to link the paragraph to the preceding and following ones. You can do this by highlighting similarities, contrasts or other relationships between the ideas, repeating key terms or concepts. This helps maintain coherence and flow in your writing. Examples of transitional words include ‘furthermore’, ‘in addition’, ‘however’, ‘conversely’, and ‘therefore’.

Paragraph example

• A topic sentence/point, followed by
• a paragraph of evidence, followed by
• an explanatory paragraph, followed by
• linking to other paragraphs.

There is a serious and legitimate concern that gen-AI is likely to reproduce and reflect the bias that already exists within human society.

The tools are trained on existing data, and if bias exists within that data, it is likely to be taken on by the AI tools, cannot think critically. Evidence of this bias has already been seen in policing and recruitment functions, where Gen-AI tools are likely to replicate the existing racial and gender biases that already exist within these particular industries (Gonzales, 2023).

Though gen-AI analysis of data and information is significantly quicker and, therefore, more efficient than human analysis, uncritiqued biases in the data will only further harm disadvantaged communities and reinforce existing stereotypes and prejudice.

As a result, and similar to the case of automation, it is necessary to ensure that gen-AI is not making bad decisions without human oversight.

Other things to remember when writing paragraphs

• Make sure all the sentences in the paragraph closely relate to the main idea presented in the topic sentence and are clearly organised, with one naturally leading to the next.
• Correctly cite and reference any information or ideas from your sources.
• It is essential to clearly distinguish between your original ideas and those derived from other sources. Often, a topic sentence or sentence where you provide an analysis or explanation of the evidence you present won’t require a citation. However, if your idea builds upon existing literature, it’s important to acknowledge that literature in your writing, as it demonstrates academic integrity and shows that your ideas are informed by relevant research. For assistance with this, view our Integrating sources guide .
• While there’s no fixed rule for the length of a paragraph, it should be long enough to fully develop the main idea and provide adequate support and analysis. In academic writing, paragraphs often range from three to eight sentences or around 200 words, but longer paragraphs can be appropriate in certain contexts.

Conclusions

The conclusion signals to the reader that the discussion is coming to an end. Take the time to write a well-structured conclusion to ensure your work is complete and well-rounded. In the conclusion, aim to:

• summarise the main points of your assignment
• restate your central argument and its significance
• leave the reader with a thought-provoking or conclusive statement.

Remember, a good conclusion will help reinforce the key takeaways for the reader and leave them with an understanding of the topic and why it matters.

Ensure that you do not include any new information in your conclusion that has not been mentioned elsewhere in your work. The conclusion functions as a summary, revising content you have covered in the body of your assignment.

Conclusion example

• A central argument restated, followed by
• a paragraph which summarises the main points, followed by
• a conclusive statement.

Gen-AI has the potential to revolutionise how we work and live; however, to be an overall positive change for humanity, solutions to challenges presented by gen-AI should be reviewed and considered carefully to mitigate any harm to humankind.

Since the launch of Chat-GPT in 2022, significant attention has focused on gen-AI’s ability to increase productivity and efficiency, with early adoption industries like healthcare, communication and science freeing up human workers to focus on creation and innovation. However, with the global impact of the technology, evidence shows that developing countries and minority groups will be the least likely to reap benefits, as it is already enhancing existing disparities. Further, there are significant concerns have been raised around privacy and exploitation, reinforcement of bias and prejudice, and job loss through automation. It is important to confront these challenges as they arise, focusing on public education, critical review of training data, and continued training and investment in humankind’s role in the workforce.

Gen-AI development, adoption, and integration must be considered, as well as critical and consultative, to create a human-centred, equitable future for all, where everyone receives the benefits of this remarkable technology.

Reference lists

Include a list of all the sources used in your assignment, following the appropriate referencing style (e.g., APA, Chicago).

Remember that the structure and requirements of academic writing may vary by discipline and institution. Always refer to your specific assignment guidelines and seek feedback from your instructor or advisor to ensure your work meets the expectations of your academic audience.

Essay Writing: Common Grammatical and Mechanical Errors

• Essay Writing Basics
• Purdue OWL Page on Writing Your Thesis This link opens in a new window
• Paragraphs and Transitions
• How to Tell if a Website is Legitimate This link opens in a new window
• Formatting Your References Page
• Cite a Website
• Common Grammatical and Mechanical Errors
• Additional Resources
• Proofread Before You Submit Your Paper
• Structuring the 5-Paragraph Essay

Another Source

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) has a list of common writing errors.

Purdue is also a great resource for citation & formatting rules.

Purdue OWL: Proofreading

Common Mistakes: Presented by the University of Minnesota

Content by the University of Minnesota's  Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

This list includes brief examples and explanations for you to use as reminders while you are editing your papers. If you would like to learn more, take a short writing course, set up an individual appointment at Student Writing Support, or consult a handbook for complete explanations.

1. Sentence Fragments

Make sure each word group you have punctuated as a sentence contains a grammatically complete and independent thought that can stand alone as an acceptable sentence.

Incorrect (the second sentence is the fragment): Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example. the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.

Revised: Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the cloth contains the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.

Incorrect: Scientists report no human deaths due to excessive caffeine consumption. Although caffeine does cause death in certain animals.

Revised: Scientists report no human deaths due to excessive caffeine consumption, although caffeine does cause death in certain animals.

2. Sentence Sprawl

Too many equally weighted phrases and clauses produce tiresome sentences.

Incorrect (There are no grammatical errors here, but the sprawling sentence does not communicate clearly and concisely.): The hearing was planned for Mon., Dec. 2, but not all of the witnesses could be available, so it was rescheduled for the following Friday, and then all the witnesses could attend.

Revised: The hearing, which had been planned for Mon., Dec. 2, was rescheduled for the following Friday so that all witnesses would be able to attend.

3. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Place modifiers near the words they describe; be sure the modified words actually appear in the sentence.

Incorrect: When writing a proposal, an original task is set for research.

Revised: When writing a proposal, a scholar sets an original task for research.

Incorrect: Many tourists visit Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans and military personnel are buried every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Revised: Every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., many tourists visit Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans and military personnel are buried.

4. Faulty Parallelism

Be sure you use grammatically equal sentence elements to express two or more matching ideas or items in a series.

Incorrect: The candidate's goals include winning the election, a national health program, and the educational system.

Revised: The candidate's goals include winning the election, enacting a national health program, and improving the educational system.

5. Unclear Pronoun Reference

All pronouns must clearly refer to definite referents (nouns). Use "it," "this," "that," "these," "those," and "which" carefully to prevent confusion.

Incorrect: Einstein was a brilliant mathematician. This is how he was able to explain the universe.

Revised: Einstein, who was a brilliant mathematician, used his ability with numbers to explain the universe.

Incorrect: Because Senator Martin is less interested in the environment than in economic development, he sometimes neglects it.

Revised: Because of his interest in economic development, Senator Martin sometimes neglects the environment.

6. Incorrect Pronoun Case

Determine whether the pronoun is being used as a subject, an object, or a possessive in the sentence, and select the pronoun form to match.

Incorrect: Castro's communist principles inevitably led to an ideological conflict between he and President Kennedy.

Revised: Castro's communist principles inevitably led to an ideological conflict between him and President Kennedy.

Incorrect: Since strict constructionists recommend fidelity to the Constitution as written, no one objects more than them to judicial reinterpretation.

Revised: Since strict constructionists recommend fidelity to the Constitution as written, no one objects more than they [object] to judicial reinterpretation.

7. Omitted Commas

Use commas to signal nonrestrictive or nonessential material, to prevent confusion, and to indicate relationships among ideas and sentence parts.

Incorrect: When it comes to eating people differ in their tastes.--  (eww!)

Revised: When it comes to eating , people differ in their tastes.

Incorrect: The Huns who were Mongolian invaded Gaul in 451.

Revised: The Huns, who were Mongolian, invaded Gaul in 451.

8. Superfluous Commas

Unnecessary commas make sentences difficult to read.

Incorrect: Field trips are required, in several courses, such as, botany and geology.

Revised: Field trips are required in several courses, such as botany and geology.

Incorrect: The term "scientific illiteracy," has become almost a cliché in educational circles.

Revised: The term "scientific illiteracy" has become almost a cliché in educational circles.

9. Comma Splices

Do not link two independent clauses with a comma (unless you also use a coordinating conjunction: "and," "or," "but,"' "nor," "so," "yet"). Instead, use a period or semicolon, or rewrite the sentence.

Incorrect: In 1952, Japan's GNP was one third that of France, by the late 1970s, it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.

Revised: In 1952, Japan's GNP was one third that of France. By the late 1970s, it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.

Incorrect: Diseased coronary arteries are often surgically bypassed, however half of all bypass grafts fail within ten years.

Revised: Diseased coronary arteries are often surgically bypassed; however, half of all bypass grafts fail within ten years.

10. Apostrophe Errors

Apostrophes indicate possession for nouns ("Jim's hat," "several years' work") but not for personal pronouns ( "its," "your," "their," and "whose"). Apostrophes also indicate omissions in contractions ("it's" = "it is"). In general they are not used to indicate plurals.

Incorrect: In the current conflict its uncertain who's borders their contesting.

Revised: In the current conflict, it is [it's] uncertain whose borders they are [they're] contesting.

Incorrect: The Aztecs' ritual's of renewal increased in frequency over the course of time.

Revised: The Aztecs' rituals of renewal increased in frequency over the course of time.

11. Words Easily Confused

"Effect" is most often a noun (the effect), and "affect" is almost always a verb. Other pairs commonly confused: "lead"/ "led" and "accept"/ "except." Check a glossary of usage to find the right choice.

Incorrect: The recession had a negative affect on sales.

Revised: The recession had a negative effect on sales. (or) The recession affected sales negatively.

Incorrect: The laboratory instructor choose not to offer detailed advise.

Revised: The laboratory instructor chose not to offer detailed advice.

12. Misspellings

Spelling errors are usually perceived as a reflection of the writer's careless attitude toward the whole project. Do not allow your hard work to be marred in this way! In addition to comprehensive dictionaries, you may want to use electronic spell-checkers, spelling dictionaries, and lists of frequently misspelled words found in handbooks.

All Content by the University of Minnesota's  Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

A Monroe College Research Guide

                 THIS RESEARCH OR "LIBGUIDE" WAS PRODUCED BY THE LIBRARIANS OF MONROE COLLEGE                    

• << Previous: Cite a Website
• Next: Plagiarism >>
• Last Updated: May 23, 2024 11:09 AM
• URL: https://monroecollege.libguides.com/essaywriting
• Research Guides |
• Databases |

Santa Clarita Valley's #1 Local News Source

From drab to fab: elevate your essay writing with powerful techniques, sponsored post.

• May 28, 2024

Essays. The mere word can make some students groan and break out in a cold sweat. Some of them don’t know where to start, and others wonder, “How do I make my essay better to get a good grade?” But essays don’t have to be your nemesis. With the right tools and tricks, you can transform your essays from drab to absolutely fabulous!

Whether you panic at the sight of a blank page or feel like your texts always end up being a confusing jumble, you’re in the right place. And yes, sometimes it helps to get extra guidance from websites like WritePapers when it comes to academic writing. Yet, with the strategies we’ll talk about here, you can start crafting those A+ essays your teachers will rave about. 

Let’s ditch the dull texts and get creative!

Spice Up Your Sentences

Basic sentences get the job done, but they won’t make your essay pop. To really elevate your writing, you should experiment with different sentence structures and words. 

Think about how you can add flair to your writing strategies. A mix of sentence lengths is a great starting point. Short, punchy sentences can create emphasis. Longer, detailed sentences are perfect for describing complex ideas. 

And don’t forget the power of those vivid verbs! They bring your writing to life. Instead of describing something as “interesting,” try words like “fascinating,” “captivating,” or “riveting.”

Master Transitions

Smooth transitions are essential for creating a strong, cohesive essay. Imagine trying to cross a river without any bridges…it’d be tough! Effective transitions show the relationships between your ideas, taking your reader on a clear and logical journey. 

Using signal words and phrases is a cornerstone of successful transitions. For example, if you’re adding onto a previous point, words like “furthermore” or “additionally” work wonders. Want to show contrast? Try “however” or “on the other hand.” To demonstrate cause and effect, use words like “consequently” or “therefore” are your friends. 

But transitions can be more subtle than just these signal words. A well-placed example or brief anecdote can seamlessly move from one concept to the next.

Apply the Right Evidence

Using relevant evidence is one of the best essay writing strategies. But simply dropping a quote won’t cut it. The real magic comes from analyzing and integrating evidence into your own words. Explain why that particular quote or piece of data backs up your argument. 

Moreover, you should provide context for your evidence. Don’t let it stand alone in a disconnected way – weave it seamlessly into your writing. 

And lastly, remember that variety is key when it comes to essay writing tips. Mix up the types of evidence you use – a poignant quote, a relevant statistic, or a vivid example – to keep your reader engaged and make your points even more convincing.

Don’t Skip the Revision Step

Never underestimate the power of thorough revision. It’s where you can refine your ideas, polish your writing, and truly make your essay better. 

One crucial step in the revision process is to take a break after writing your first draft. Returning to your work with fresh eyes lets you catch those sneaky errors or confusing passages you might have glossed over initially.

Reading your work aloud is another invaluable strategy! Hearing your words spoken out loud helps you notice awkward phrasing or areas where the flow feels off. This is a simple yet highly effective way to identify where you might need to focus on how to improve writing skills.

Finally, remember that revision isn’t just about fixing typos (although those are important, too!). Take a step back and ask yourself the big questions: 

• Is your thesis statement crystal clear? 
• Is your essay well-organized? 
• Does each paragraph seamlessly support your main argument? 

If you find yourself needing guidance or an extra set of eyes, don’t hesitate to seek out help with writing. There are numerous resources available, including online platforms and essay writing services, that can provide valuable feedback and help you take your writing to the next level.

Embrace Your Voice

One of the easiest ways to fall into the “drab essay” trap is by trying to sound overly formal or academic. While correct grammar and good structure are non-negotiable, letting your own voice shine through is what makes your writing memorable. Think about these tips:

• Write like you talk (but a bit more polished). Imagine you’re explaining your essay topic to a friend. What kind of language would you use? Keep the tone engaging and natural.
• Don’t be afraid of strong opinions. Essays are opportunities to argue your point of view. Using words like “clearly,” “undoubtedly,” or “importantly” adds conviction to your statements.
• Own your perspective. Share insights or experiences that relate to your topic. This sets your essay apart from the crowd.

Your writing doesn’t have to be filled with complex jargon to be impressive. Clarity, confidence, and a dash of personality can create an engaging essay that your teachers won’t soon forget!

Final Thoughts

Essays aren’t always the most thrilling thing in the world. But with the strategies we talked about, you can learn to craft sentences that make your reader lean in, not zone out. You’ll master the art of making your ideas flow effortlessly, and you’ll use evidence like a pro to back up your arguments.

The revision process allows you to look at the piece of writing from another perspective. Don’t be afraid to read your essay out loud, get feedback from others, and ask those big-picture questions about your organization and thesis statement. 

And hey, we all need a little extra support sometimes! There are tons of amazing resources out there to help if you need guidance on how to write better essays.

Most importantly, don’t try to sound like someone you’re not. Let your personality be reflected in your writing. Share your unique perspectives, use vivid language, and express your opinions with confidence. Your teachers will notice the difference!

Related To This Story

Masha bucher attends the milken institute global conference, named milken young global leader, your guide to cycling the camino de santiago, summer skincare products: look for these ingredients  , tips for authenticating watches: how to verify originality, how to effectively manage incontinence with the right pads: expert tips , 15 projects to make with svg files, latest news.

Four-car crash results in 1 transported to hospital 

Case continued for Saugus woman charged in fentanyl OD 

College Brief for May 30

Hart’s Class of 2024 is encouraged to find the way 

Chiquita Canyon hosting in-person sessions to provide help for relief fund Friday, Saturday  

Sign up for the, morning rundown.

Filled with the top stories to start your day, and emergency news alerts. 

25060 Avenue Stanford, St. 141

Valencia, CA, 91355

Main Desk: 661-259-1234

Newsroom: 661-255-1234

Advertising: 661-287-5564

Have a news tip? Let us know!

News Sections

• Coronavirus
• Environment
• Politics & Government

More Sections

• Video + Podcasts
• Sunday Signal
• Subscribe to Print
• Classified Ads
• Event Calendar

THIS WEEK Wednesday, May 29 | 6:15 pm |   Monthly Storytelling Showcase with Corey Rosen Friday, May 31 | 6:00 pm |   CinemaLit: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

HOLIDAY HOURS | Juneteenth | Wednesday, June 19 | Independence Day | Thursday, July 4

TAKE A LOOK |   Mechanics’ Institute Quarterly Newsletter

You are here

Writers' lunch: writing a great essay moderated by sheryl j. bize-boutte, friday, june 21, 2024 - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

Join  Mechanics' Institute  for a discussion on the topic "Writing a Great Essay" with  Nigel Hatton ,  devorah major , and  Jeanne Powell . This event will be moderated by  Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte .

This Writers' Lunch will be held on Friday, June 21 at 12:00 pm online via Zoom. This special session of Writers' Lunch celebrates  Juneteenth  (June 19). To learn more about this federal holiday, we highly recommend reading  this featured essay on Juneteenth , complemented by  Frederick Douglass' 1852 keynote which asks, "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?"

FREE - all are welcome!

Dr.  NIGEL HATTON , Associate Professor at UC Merced, specializes in literature, philosophy, and human rights. His research and teaching span the areas of literature and philosophy, human rights and literature, critical refugee studies, and narrative medicine. Dr. Hatton received the dual Ph.D. in Modern Thought & Literature and The Humanities with a PhD minor in Political Theory from Stanford University, and master’s degrees from Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Jesuit University of San Francisco. He has volunteered as an instructor, tutor, and consultant in California prisons since 2003 and occasionally lectures in the Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University. Dr. Hatton teaches undergraduate courses such as "Human Rights & Literature," "Toni Morrison & James Baldwin," and "Literature & Philosophy." This coming fall, Dr. Hatton will lead a five-part seminar on James Baldwin at Mechanics' Institute, starting with James Baldwin's life and essays before moving into Baldwin's novels.

A California born, granddaughter of immigrants, documented and undocumented,  devorah   major  was San Francisco’s Third Poet Laureate. She is a poet, novelist, short story writer and essayist. She has seven books of poetry, four poetry chapbooks, two novels, two biographies for young adults, and a host of short stories, essays, and individual poems published in anthologies and periodicals. Most recently, seven essays by her have been published in the Legion of Honor’s 100th Anniversary Catalogue released this year and the De Young Museum’s 125th anniversary catalog released in 2022. A baker of pies and lover of jazz her poetry has carried her to many countries where she has performed with and without musicians. In 2022 she received Italy’s Regina Coppola International Literary Award. A Willow Press Editor’s Choice, her seventh book of poetry,  Califia’s Daughter , was published by Willow Press. She will put down her pen to march, act, and call for justice.

Dr.  JEANNE POWELL  is a published poet and essayist. Her books include  Carousel  from Regent Press, and  Deeply Notched Leaves  from Taurean Horn Press. She was the long-time host for "Celebration of the Word," a weekly open mic in San Francisco. Her small press has published 20 local authors in 20 years. Dr. Jeanne's film essays appear at  starkinsider.com/author/jeannep . She has taught in the Upward Bound Project at University of San Francisco and in OLLI classes at San Francisco State University. She has been featured in the Quiet Lightning series at Museum of African Diaspora and in the Poetic Tuesdays series from Litquake. She is a graduate of the Rooted & Written program at SF Writers Grotto and the Anaphora Arts residency. Dr Jeanne holds degrees from Wayne State University and University of San Francisco.

This event will be conducted via Zoom. Register and you will be emailed the Zoom credentials.

About the Moderator

Join us, share, and learn!

Writers' Groups

Future Writers' Groups

May 30 - 11:00 am

Jun 5 - 12:00 pm

Jun 6 - 11:00 am

Jun 11 - 11:00 am

Jun 13 - 11:00 am

Jun 20 - 11:00 am

Support Mechanics’ Institute as we continue to foster creativity in our community through the programs and services offered year-round.