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Written languages substitute symbols, arbitrary letters or characters for spoken sounds. Static images transform the sounds into words linked by spelling, word order, punctuation, and grammar. Spoken and written English share the same vocabulary, word order, and grammar, but only writing requires spelling, punctuation, indentation, and additional criteria. Though writing requires these additional skills, it dispenses with pronunciation and the need to produce language in real time. Writing lets you take your time before you hit "send" or "save." Now we can write, spell check, and revise to our heart's content.
Improving your English writing skills requires an overview of the subject. The Online Writing Lab at Purdue (OWL) is the best place to get this that I know of. Look at their site map to see a great outline. Mastering the elements presented here will make you a good, effective writer.
Even the most casual writing has more structure and organization than every day social chatting we do with strangers in the checkout line. Face to face "small talk" about the weather or other neutral topics is how we socialize with others. Writing is the opposite of face to face and only meets human socialization needs in a small way. Books on English writing skills can help you get started as well.
Just as spoken English varies according to situation, written English includes shopping lists, notes, email, texting, chat, instant messaging (IM), and graffiti. Instructions come with every product and require more refined writing skills so that most people can understand them. Advertising, business letters, media, packaging, magazines, newspapers, books, and now Kindles all use written English in various ways. Through written language the knowledge of the ancients comes to us, long after their spoken words have vanished in the breeze. Most of today's world cultures are founded on written language, which for us today means "translated into English." All major religions revere the written words of their founders, whether Confucian, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Taoist, or neo-Platonist. No one can dispute that written language can be ultimately powerful. "The pen is mightier than the sword" is a common expression of this idea. The U.S. was formed by a written document, our Declaration of Independence.
What does this mean to someone trying to improve writing skills? Number one, know the purpose of your writing. What are you trying to accomplish? Are you trying to keep in touch with an old friend by email, or writing a memo to your boss explaining why you deserve a raise? Are you making notes to yourself or composing an article for a scholarly journal? Another way to put this question is who is your audience? Forgetting why you are writing almost guarantees you will wander off course. Mastering your language expression in English will take a long time. In fact it is a lifelong pursuit because no one is yet perfect.
Improving your English writing skills requires an overview of the subject. The Online Writing Lab at Purdue (OWL) is the best place to get this that I know of. Look at their site map to see a great outline. Mastering the elements presented here will make you a good, effective writer.
Even the most casual writing has more structure and organization than every day social chatting we do with strangers in the checkout line. Face to face "small talk" about the weather or other neutral topics is how we socialize with others. Writing is the opposite of face to face and only meets human socialization needs in a small way. Books on English writing skills can help you get started as well.
Just as spoken English varies according to situation, written English includes shopping lists, notes, email, texting, chat, instant messaging (IM), and graffiti. Instructions come with every product and require more refined writing skills so that most people can understand them. Advertising, business letters, media, packaging, magazines, newspapers, books, and now Kindles all use written English in various ways. Through written language the knowledge of the ancients comes to us, long after their spoken words have vanished in the breeze. Most of today's world cultures are founded on written language, which for us today means "translated into English." All major religions revere the written words of their founders, whether Confucian, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Taoist, or neo-Platonist. No one can dispute that written language can be ultimately powerful. "The pen is mightier than the sword" is a common expression of this idea. The U.S. was formed by a written document, our Declaration of Independence.
What does this mean to someone trying to improve writing skills? Number one, know the purpose of your writing. What are you trying to accomplish? Are you trying to keep in touch with an old friend by email, or writing a memo to your boss explaining why you deserve a raise? Are you making notes to yourself or composing an article for a scholarly journal? Another way to put this question is who is your audience? Forgetting why you are writing almost guarantees you will wander off course. Mastering your language expression in English will take a long time. In fact it is a lifelong pursuit because no one is yet perfect.
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