Descriptive writing
- Exercises to show improved vocabulary and style.
- Creating more descriptive writing.
Punctuation
- How to use parentheses ( ).
- The parts that make up sentences.
- How to use a colon :
- How to use a comma ,
- How to use dashes - -
- How to use a semi-colon ;
- How to use a slash /
Varying sentence patterns
- Putting a clause inside a sentence to give more information.
- Putting a conditional ('if') phrase at the start of a sentence.
- It is possible to start a sentence with a list. However, this should only be done occasionally. …
- Placing a preposition at the start of a sentence.
- Putting a sub-clause in front of the main clause.
- It is possible to start a sentence with a verb.(note: the verb is often in the present continuous …
- Putting spoken words at the start of a sentence.
- The simplest sentence pattern in English, and how to vary it.
- Using the passive form.
Linking phrases
- Stating a point, although admitting it is not as strong as the main point.
- Stating what the opposite side or idea is.
- If X is true, we can therefore take Y to be true.
- Pointing to the key point among what could be several examples.
- Phrases to state a point is generally true.
- How to give examples to prove a point.
- Adding personal opinion into the argument.
- Ways to link ideas.
- What many people believe, which may or may not be true.
- Linking to an argument made earlier in the writing.
- Writing a point again to make it easier to understand.
- Adding a second point to support the first point.
- If point A happens or is true, then point B must happen or is true.
- Making a second point or example similar to the last one, therefore strengthening the idea.
- Making a statement that the reader probably already knows but is important.
- Summarising all the previous points into a conclusion.
- Moving to a new point within an argument.
- Stating what another argument or opposite idea would be.
Literary Devices
- Using words that start with the same sound.
- Describing one thing in order to help a person understand a different thing.
- Repeating words or phrases at the start of clauses.
- Repeating vowel sounds in a sentence.
- Reversing the parts of a sentence to make a memorable phrase.
- Repeating consonant sounds in a sentence.
- Repeating words at the end of sentences to emphasise a point.
- Using a substitute word or phrase to avoid saying an offensive word.
- Using many qualities of one object to help describe a different object.
- Using exaggeration to make a point.
- The various forms of irony.
- Philosophical sayings that combine simple words with deep meaning.
- Using the qualities of one object to help describe another object.
- Words that sound like sounds.
- Using two opposite words to create an unusual description.
- A situation which has an interesting contradiction in logic.
- Creating memorable writing by repeating a structure.
- Using human qualities to describe non-human things.
- A play on words.
- Questions that don't require an answer.
- Words that end with the same sound.
- Saying something you don't mean in order to insult.
- Long comparisons using 'as' or 'like',
- Comparing two things by using 'as' or 'like'.
- Mixing up languages and using foreign words incorrectly.
- Using a part of an object to represent a whole object, or a whole object to represent a part.
- Saying something is smaller or less important than it really is.
Essay writing guides
- Adding sentences to help support a paragraph's main idea.
- Using a sentence that tells a reader what a paragraph will be about.
- The common school essay with introduction, main points, and conclusion.
- Building an essay that argues for or against a point.
Essay examples
- Essays between 200 and 800 words, as seen in IELTS and school exams.
- Essays used at a university level.
Email examples
- Writing to a business to ask more about services and prices.
- Emails for a job application.