Adjusting to Writing for College
As you begin your journey into writing for college, you will have to make some adjustments in the language and style of your writing.
Below are several guidelines on common writing issues that students have when adjusting to writing in a more rigorous and academic way in college.
Use this post as a reference for you. I have provided examples as well as links to more thorough explanations.
Writing in college has certain expectations, to meet these expectations you will need to avoid using the following (follow links to more discussion about each topic):
1. The pronoun you and its forms (your, you’re).
3. Beginning sentences with There or It. Instead, begin sentences with clearly understood subjects. It can be used if a clear noun reference is used first.
Example
Unacceptable - There are many volunteers helping Hurricane Katrina victims.
Acceptable – Many volunteers are helping Hurricane Katrina victims.
4. Ending sentences with prepositions.
Example
Unacceptable – Where are my keys at?
Acceptable – Where are my keys?
5. Incorrect subject-verb agreement.
Example
Unacceptable – We was anxious about the first day of classes.
Acceptable – We were anxious about the first day of classes.
6. Fragment sentences
Example
Fragment: Zoe looked close to tears. Standing with her head bowed.
Revised: Zoe looked close to tears, standing with her head bowed.
Fragment: The climbers had two choices. To go over a four-hundred-foot cliff or
to turn back. They decided to attempt the climb.
Revised: The climbers had two choices: to go over a four-hundred-foot cliff or
to turn back. They decided to attempt the climb.
Example
Comma splice: My sister decided to paint her house last summer, thus, she had to buy some paint.
Revised: My sister decided to paint her house last summer; thus, she had to buy some paint.
My sister decided to paint her house last summer, so she had to buy some paint.
My sister decided to paint her house last summer; she had to buy some paint.
8. Run-on sentences
Example
Run-on: The governor promoted one tax reform it was a reduction in the capital gains tax.
Revised: The governor promoted one tax reform which was a reduction in the capital gains tax.
9. Use of the word things and other vague words such as stuff.
Example
Vague: My job requires many things.
Revised: My job requires many skills.
10. Use of pronouns that or which as references to people.
Example
Incorrect: The police chief which wrecked his cruiser was not hurt.
Revised: The police chief who wrecked his cruiser was not hurt.
Incorrect: Only one person that applied for the job was invited to interview.
Revised: Only one person who applied for the job was invited to interview.
11. Use of non-parallel word choices.
Example
Non-parallel example: James’s suit was wrinkled, mismatched, and he needed to wash it.
Revised to Parallel example: James’s suit was wrinkled, mismatched, and dirty.
Non-parallel example: Alice likes reading books, attending plays, and to search for Beatle memorabilia.
Revised to Parallel example: Alice likes reading books, attending plays and searching for Beatle memorabilia.
Non-parallel example: Listening to music, watching television or to read a book are good ways to relax.
Revised to Parallel example: Listening to music, watching television or reading a book are good ways to relax.
12. Use of passive voice sentence patterns.
Example
Passive: The case was accepted by the lawyer.
Preferred active voice: The lawyer accepted the case.
*Active voice is more direct, not as wordy as passive voice.
13. Use of the following words and slang
Use of get or forms of get. I got an “A” on my last exam. I received an “A” on my last exam.
Use of guy. I met a nice guy. I met a nice man.
Use of super. That dance was super exciting. That dance was extremely exciting.
Use of huge. That day was a huge experience for me. That day was a significant experience for me.
Use of due to the fact. I was tired due to the fact that I slept for only an hour. I was tired because I slept for only an hour.
Use of I feel, I think, I believe, in my opinion, or in my personal opinion. (The reader knows you feel, think, believe or have an opinion because the statement is not cited.
In my personal opinion, COTC is a wonderful school. COTC is a wonderful schoo