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The 10 Most Common Mistakes People Make When Writing English Articles and How to Avoid Them

Jett Powell

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Writing an English article can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write clear, concise, and engaging articles that will capture your readers' attention.

Emigrating to Australia: The 10 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

by Christina Zierold

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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1. Not proofreading

One of the most common mistakes people make when writing English articles is not proofreading their work. Proofreading is essential for catching errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It can also help you to improve the flow and clarity of your writing.

When proofreading your work, take your time and read it carefully. Look for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You should also check for any awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.

2. Using too much jargon

Another common mistake people make when writing English articles is using too much jargon. Jargon is specialized language that is used by a particular group of people. While it can be helpful to use jargon to explain technical concepts, you should avoid using too much of it in your articles.

If you must use jargon, define it the first time you use it. This will help your readers to understand your article.

3. Not organizing your thoughts

Before you start writing, it is important to organize your thoughts. This will help you to write a clear and coherent article.

One way to organize your thoughts is to create an outline. An outline will help you to identify the main points of your article and to organize them in a logical order.

4. Not using transitions

Transitions are words or phrases that connect the different parts of your article. They help to make your writing flow smoothly and to guide your readers through your article.

There are many different types of transitions that you can use. Some common transitions include:

To introduce a new idea: "In addition," "Furthermore," "Moreover"
To compare two ideas: "Similarly," "In contrast," "On the other hand"
To summarize a point: "In summary," "To sum up," ""

5. Not using active voice

Active voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence performs the action. Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence receives the action.

Active voice is generally more clear and concise than passive voice. It is also more engaging for readers.

Here is an example of a sentence in active voice:

The boy kicked the ball.

Here is an example of the same sentence in passive voice:

The ball was kicked by the boy.

As you can see, the sentence in active voice is more clear and concise. It is also more engaging for readers.

6. Not using parallel structure

Parallel structure is a grammatical construction in which two or more elements of a sentence have the same grammatical structure.

Parallel structure can help to make your writing more clear and concise. It can also help to create a sense of rhythm and flow in your writing.

Here is an example of a sentence with parallel structure:

The boy ran, jumped, and played.

Here is an example of the same sentence without parallel structure:

The boy ran, jumped, and he played.

As you can see, the sentence with parallel structure is more clear and concise. It also has a better sense of rhythm and flow.

7. Not using strong verbs

Strong verbs are verbs that are active, vivid, and specific. They help to create a clear and concise writing style.

Weak verbs are verbs that are passive, vague, and general. They make your writing less interesting and less engaging.

Here is an example of a sentence with a strong verb:

The boy kicked the ball.

Here is an example of the same sentence with a weak verb:

The boy moved the ball.

As you can see, the sentence with a strong verb is more clear and concise. It is also more interesting and engaging.

8. Not using specific nouns

Specific nouns are nouns that refer to a particular person, place, or thing. They help to make your writing more clear and concise.

Generic nouns are nouns that refer to a general class of people, places, or things. They make your writing less specific and less interesting.

Here is an example of a sentence with a specific noun:

The boy kicked the soccer ball.

Here is an example of the same sentence with a generic noun:

The boy kicked the ball.

As you can see, the sentence with a specific noun is more clear and concise. It is also more interesting and engaging.

9. Not using vivid language

Vivid language is language that is descriptive and evocative. It helps to create a clear and vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Vague language is language that is general and unclear. It makes your writing less interesting and less engaging.

Here is an example of a sentence with vivid language:

The boy kicked the soccer ball with all his might, sending it soaring through the air.

Here is an example of the same sentence with vague language:

The boy kicked the ball.

As you can see, the sentence with vivid language is more clear and vivid. It is also more interesting and engaging.

10. Not using correct punctuation

Correct punctuation is essential for making your writing clear and easy to read. Punctuation marks can help to indicate pauses, intonation, and emphasis.

There are many different types of punctuation marks, including commas, periods, semicolons, colons, and dashes. Each type of punctuation mark has its own specific purpose.

It is important to use punctuation marks correctly in order to avoid confusing your readers. If you are not sure how to use a particular punctuation mark, consult a grammar guide.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write clear, concise, and engaging English articles that will capture your readers' attention. Remember to proofread your work, avoid jargon, organize your thoughts, use transitions, use active voice, use parallel structure, use strong verbs, use specific nouns, use vivid language, and use correct punctuation.

With a little practice, you can become a skilled writer of English articles.

Emigrating to Australia: The 10 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

by Christina Zierold

4.2 out of 5