In this article, we are specifically exploring some common writing problems for college students. Creating projects and writing essays are the major tasks at any academic phase. They can prove to be challenging for students if they are not adept at writing. We are going to discuss some basic problems here that plague anyone who has writing problems.

Agreement

Agreement errors are made most commonly by students. It is one of the major difficulties students face in writing. Do not shift the person through a piece without proper reason. That especially applies to switch from the third person such as he, she, or it to second.

Do not make the same mistake when handling singular nouns either. Keep using it unless there is a logical reason to change to the plural. For instance, “Everyone should know what they want”. The more correct way to put it would be “Everyone should know what he or she wants”.

Also, watch out for collective nouns. Try to use the appropriate pronouns with them. Furthermore, switching tenses mid-sentence is a sign of poor writing skills. So, avoid slipping into the past tense after starting with the present and vice versa.

Awkward Sentence Construction

Awkward sentence constructions have imprecise logical errors that make them hard to comprehend. At times, a statement can prove to be awkward if the key term is not clear. For example, if you write something like “the essay is based upon a decision-type format”. This is confusing and highly amateur. Use the correct terms to make the thing as clear as possible.

Awkwardness in sentences is not solely related to the inability to express. It most often creates a gap between you and the reader. Saying something when it is not required or failing to explain an important point both distance you from the audience. Usually, an overlong sentence is marked as “awkward” by an examiner. Most often it is wise to divide a sentence into two to give it clarity.

Pay Attention to Citation

Any quoted material that you add in your work needs to be handled carefully. Carefully look through citation styles and follow them for websites, books, or articles. Avoid the use of fillers in citations. For example: In her article “The Triumph of Time” Mary McGregory analyzes the final act of Hamlet. The reader can figure out that “The Triumph of Time” is an article because of the quotation marks. A book would be mentioned in italics. However, why is it necessary for the audience to know this? Only include the title if the reference location is contextual for the argument. To sum it up, sticking strictly to the relevant details only is highly appreciated by the teacher.

Avoid Using Cliches

Commonplace expressions have no place in academic and literary writing. There are several ways you can use cliches without even being aware of it. We are going to highlight two that are seen most often so you can avoid them in the future.

Cliché #1

It is most common for students to write “the author sends a message” in English essays. It is never as simple as that. Authors are able to communicate a range of complicated concepts in a variety of ways. It is impossible for any form of social communication to send a singular message to the audience. What is more specific for literary work is that no two readers can decipher the same messages from them. Students are at fault when they reduce an intricate work of art to a single sentence.  There are much better ways to address the prominent ideas the author is referring to. Just stay away from the concept of “sending a message” and you will be able to find other ways to analyze the work.

Cliché #2

Another error made while writing literary essays is claiming that you could or could not identify with a character. Perceive characters as tools. They should rather be seen as an “it” instead of “he” or “she”. A character is merely the writer’s tool to manipulate ideas. They are meant to set emotions and ideas into a fictional background.

You can or cannot identify with the characters if you want. But what you really need to focus on is whether you agree or disagree with the concept behind them. Literary characters are not real people. In some instances, they might be real once, but they are not in the work you are analyzing. Trying to identify with them can give the impression of an uncritical disposition.

Combine Sentences

Make an effort to combine short sentences into longer ones, to avoid a choppy effect. For example: “This is the ultimate challenge. It developed from ignoring our responsibilities for years. Now the price must be paid. We need to come to terms with it.”

A more correct way to present it would be: “The ultimate challenge, developed due to our predecessors evading responsibility for years. Now we all have to pay the price.” Take not that subordinate clauses are most useful to combine sentences. This example shows how a list of brief ideas can turn into a clear cause and effect process.

Comma Splices

Complete statements or independent clauses should not be linked together by commas.  A comma is not meant for separating two independent clauses. Doing that causes a “comma splice”. Following is an example:

“The book is on the table, it once belonged to my mother.” The comma here should either be replaced by a period or semi-colon. A dash is sometimes applicable too in such situations. But not recommended always. Or, as variety in the length and rhythm of a sentence is essential, use subordination: “The book, which once belonged to my mother, is on the table.”

Documentation

Make sure that you fully comprehend the documentation system while writing a paper. Do not select a format on your own. If there is any confusion be sure to ask your instructor which style is expected from you. Documentation is highly necessary every time you cite someone else’s ideas or words. It is important to refrain from dishonest use of other literary works. The correct use of sources will be appreciated by the teacher. Even the slightest mistake of not giving credit where it is due can be perceived as plagiarism. Therefore, it is important to know all the technical details before submitting a completed paper. Once you have handed it in, it is difficult to give a reason for these errors. Hence, go through everything carefully and make any alterations beforehand.

These were our 7 basic solutions to mistakes that are most often unknowingly made by students. These might seem minor on their own but they make the difference between good grades and failure. Students can always take additional help from writing services like 6DollarsEssay. We have expert writers who know how to craft the best essays and projects. Being professionals in their field, they will always provide you with top quality content. Also, we have the most affordable prices to cater to all clients. All it takes is a few keystrokes to reach us. We will not disappoint you with the service we offer.