Writing, like playing the piano, takes practice to do well. Whether you’re writing for fun or for school, English writing exercises improve your skills. Visit these seven places to find help with grammar, learn about punctuation, inspire creativity, and learn to write better now. 1. University Writing Labs If you need a refresher course, one obvious place to look for hands-on practice is at a nearby university. Enrolling in a composition class can build your skills in everything from spelling and grammar, to punctuation and style. However, classes can be costly, ...

You say you want to learn how to write a romance novel? I don’t blame you. Romance novels are hot, and I’m not just talking about the stories they tell. In the U.S., romance novels command the largest share of sales over all other types of fiction. The large market means plenty of publishing opportunities for aspiring novelists. That doesn’t mean you can crank out any old story, add love scenes, and slap a romance label on it. Like other genres, romance has rules and conventions to follow. Learn the ...

Crafting stories, poems, and other kinds of great creative writing isn’t something most people can do with ease. It’s hard to pinpoint what makes a piece of creative writing interesting (Engaging characters? Clever wordplay? Rhyme and meter? Stunning plot twists?) and even harder to do those things well. After all, there’s a reason people like Stephen King get paid the big bucks. But even Mr. King studied writing and worked on his craft at one point, which is why we wanted to offer up these 12 creative writing exercises to ...

Publishing your academic writing in a journal is crucial to advancing your career and becoming an expert in your chosen field. Standards are high and you usually only get one shot, so don’t waste it! Make your paper the best it can be before submitting. Read the journal. Just because a particular publication covers your field doesn’t necessarily mean that your article will be a good fit. Learn the aims of the particular publication, and then take it a step further by looking at the articles they choose to publish. ...

Is the English language trying to trip people up? Because it sure seems that way. Otherwise, why in the world would someone have created homonyms? You know homonyms. They’re those pesky words that sound alike, look alike, or (for the particularly cruel ones) do both. In fact, most of the time when people speak about homonyms, they are actually talking about two other distinct groups of words that both fall under the homonym umbrella – homophones and homographs. Homophones are words that sound the same – hence the use of the ...

Learning a new language and getting all the nuances and colloquialisms down pat is tough. It’s even tougher when the native speakers around you are saying things incorrectly as much (or more) than you are! Unfortunately, many Americans not only use words and sayings incorrectly on a regular basis, they have no idea that they’re doing so. Sometimes it’s because they were taught a misquoted version of what was once a common saying. Other times they might have misunderstood a phrase and intuited their own meaning so that it made ...

Finding a publisher for your writing is a bit like arranging a blind date for your best friend. It’s all about compatibility. Use these matchmaking tips to increase the odds of finding the perfect fit for your writing, and publishing your hard work. 1. Locate likely prospects. The wider the publisher “dating pool” the greater your chance of finding a perfect match for your writing. Even if you already have a couple of markets in mind, it doesn’t hurt to have a backup or two on standby in case your ...

Unsure if you're catching all of your errors? Our academic proofreading services can give you peace of mind. Simply contact us to learn how we can help ensure your documents are flawless. Many students begin college unprepared for and overwhelmed by the high standard of writing that professors immediately expect from them. Improving your college writing skills is one of the best ways to decrease your stress and improve your grades in college. These 10 tips will help you focus on how to communicate your ideas in a ...

Unsure if you're catching all of your errors? Our academic proofreading services can give you peace of mind. Simply contact us to learn how we can help ensure your documents are flawless. Academic writing is an essential skill set that all students must develop. In order to succeed in the competitive world of academia, you must be able to communicate your ideas with grace, clarity and power. These ten tips will help you enhance and polish your academic writing so that you can impress your peers, professors and ...

Unsure if you are catching all of your errors? Our business proofreading services can give you peace of mind. Simply contact us to learn how we can help ensure your documents are flawless. Writing for business is different than writing for any other audience. The way you communicate in business correspondence can, after all, directly impact your reputation, credibility and success in the business world. These 10 simple techniques will help you refine and perfect your business writing so that your words have the impact and power necessary ...