Questions about word choice where the focus is on etymology or grammar may be more on-topic at Stack Exchange's English Language & Usage site.
0
votes
2answers
148 views
Is there anything wrong with saying “Thanks” several times in the same email? If not, how could I correct it?
E.g. here is an email I just sent:
Hello X,
Okay I see - thanks very much for all the code! I'll definitely have
to take some time to study it before I can ask any questions. :)
Also - ...
2
votes
3answers
589 views
A more specific type of “nervous laughter”
A handful of my friends have an odd trait where they say something and immediately laugh after it in an attempt to judge its success. The topic is usually a rant along the lines of, "These people have ...
1
vote
3answers
89 views
Does this convey that I recommend the anthology I'm reviewing?
Here's a snipped-up version of a review of an anthology I wrote a while back (full original review here). Most of the stories were pretty good, a few were superb, and there were a few poor ones. For ...
1
vote
4answers
219 views
Complimenting on solid structure with no major flaws
When reviewing fiction, there's a certain quality that's very important to me, which I can best describe as being "solid." By which I mean: the story is well thought-out, well constructed; it flows ...
3
votes
3answers
790 views
Is Postscript still useful in the age of email?
"Post script is usually written when a writer forgets to write something on the main body of the letter and wants to add on to what he had written on the letter." But in this age of email and word ...
3
votes
4answers
122 views
Is this clearly expressed: “The real power is information”
I want to say that information is the real power in the world. I want to say it in one clean (short) sentence. Is the following good enough? (My mother language isn't English.)
The real power is ...
4
votes
5answers
416 views
How to refer to character of focus in a story
I find that when I write, I'm not always sure how to refer to the character of focus. You can only say "he/she" so many times before it feels choppy and repetitive. Constantly referring to character ...
1
vote
7answers
1k views
Write a resume objective that expresses my desire to hone and sharpen my skills
I wish to convey to prospective employers that I not only want to use my skills, but hone and sharpen them as well.
Does the below paragraph do justice to it?
Do you have any suggestions?
Does the ...
12
votes
7answers
1k views
Why does using this “-ing” verb construction make my writing weaker?
I had to write a scholarship essay, wherein I wrote this sentence:
Over the ensuing years I read as much as I could, trying to increase my knowledge and understanding of my own language.
I sent ...
7
votes
4answers
813 views
Common words to avoid when writing formally
I am rather useless at writing formal English and sometimes find that I can come across informal with my choice of words. So I wondered what common words and phrases should be avoided when writing an ...
3
votes
3answers
381 views
What is a systematic way of using Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases?
I'm new to the book, and not sure where to start. Please share some ideas on how you as a writer use Roget's. I love that the book has so many different words and I would like to know how you use ...
2
votes
3answers
247 views
Please help me polish this paragraph.
I'm learning English as a foreign language. In one of my writings, one paragraph goes:
But it's not saying we just indulge ourselves and turn into wild beasts. We train our brain hard so that we ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Critical review of blog post
I wrote a blog post a long time back. For this post I chose a writing style very different from what I'd read or what I'd seen before. Some guys did criticize me and others did acknowledge me for the ...
14
votes
13answers
1k views
How much swearing is TOO much? (And how much is not enough?)
I've noticed that some of the most successful writers refrain from using profanity, such as Stephanie Meyer and Norman Mailer. Are readers turned off by swearing in books?
More importantly, is it ...
