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Default Oct 06, 2019 at 01:46 AM
  #1
I aced all my courses during my undergrad years and published a paper with the help of others, but my writing and vocabulary still suck. I was born and raised in the US, but my writing has gone downhill after taking a break from school after I graduated. Now I am looking at grad school. I may actually get accepted, but I am terrified that I regressed into a poor writer. I love reading peer-reviewed articles, but they intimidate me whenever I see many words I do not know.

Admittedly, I still have no clue when it is appropriate to use "a priori," "de facto," and "a posteriori" in a paper or a sentence. Even after having read the definitions.

Is there something wrong with me?
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Default Oct 06, 2019 at 03:57 AM
  #2
I think some people have more writing talent than others but everyone can improve by reading a lot, writing a lot and giving yourself time to edit/improve what you write. My POV is that there probably isn't anything wrong with you. You can do this!
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Smile Oct 06, 2019 at 04:00 AM
  #3
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Originally Posted by TunedOut View Post
I think some people have more writing talent than others but everyone can improve by reading a lot, writing a lot and giving yourself time to edit/improve what you write. My POV is that there probably isn't anything wrong with you. You can do this!
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Default Oct 06, 2019 at 05:17 PM
  #4
I believe the best way to improve writing is through reading. Read everything you can, starting from the classics to more modern literature.

I've never used "a priori," "de facto," and "a posteriori" in a sentence or paper. Ever. And I consider myself a highly skilled writer.
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Default Oct 06, 2019 at 05:31 PM
  #5
Do you have access to a writing tool like Grammarly or Prowriting Aid? I use Prowritingaid and I absolutely love it! I learn every time I use it. I write a piece out and plug it in and the program lets me know where I need to tweak or change something to better it. There is a free version you can use or you can purchase the web editor for 40 bucks a year.

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Default Oct 06, 2019 at 05:38 PM
  #6
I agree that reading a lot is the best way to become a better writer.
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Default Oct 06, 2019 at 07:41 PM
  #7
When I first wanted to write, I had no idea how much was involved in writing.

And with all due respect to my friends here, if you want to be better at something, you need to actually practice.

If you want to start jogging, where do you start? Or better your cooking skills? Reliable recipes, yes, but you need to do the recipes live in your kitchen. So, yes, reading quality writing is important, but so is actually writing.

Also, you'll need feedback from experienced writers and there are OODLES of writing communities online.

Here's a link for you to see:
Top Websites for Writers: 10 Online Writing Communities | Writer's Digest

Have fun!!

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Default Oct 07, 2019 at 01:06 PM
  #8
I went to school forever and have written a lot. Don't even worry about that Latin stuff--it will virtually never come up and when it does, you can just google it.

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Default Oct 08, 2019 at 04:27 AM
  #9
Hey @lillib

How to Be a Good Writer
I am an English Lit graduate and if you need an opinion or something and you want to pm me feel free. I often help people with their school work and papers. I am not an official tutor but I should be. I googled something and found this link but I havent read it yet because I am on my way to the shower. I hope it helps I just wanted to write a quick reply.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lillib View Post
I aced all my courses during my undergrad years and published a paper with the help of others, but my writing and vocabulary still suck. I was born and raised in the US, but my writing has gone downhill after taking a break from school after I graduated. Now I am looking at grad school. I may actually get accepted, but I am terrified that I regressed into a poor writer. I love reading peer-reviewed articles, but they intimidate me whenever I see many words I do not know.

Admittedly, I still have no clue when it is appropriate to use "a priori," "de facto," and "a posteriori" in a paper or a sentence. Even after having read the definitions.

Is there something wrong with me?

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Default Oct 08, 2019 at 02:49 PM
  #10
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Originally Posted by sarahsweets View Post
Hey @lillib

How to Be a Good Writer
I am an English Lit graduate and if you need an opinion or something and you want to pm me feel free. I often help people with their school work and papers. I am not an official tutor but I should be. I googled something and found this link but I havent read it yet because I am on my way to the shower. I hope it helps I just wanted to write a quick reply.

@sarahsweets - Thank you! I have not yet figured out how to use this PsychCentral site, but I can use all the help I can get! I like to edit my own papers, so I save the editing of grammar as the very last step. That said, I forgot a lot of the rules of grammar, and I need to build my vocabulary. I also want to study for the GRE (though it isn't needed for my Master's of Science program I am applying to, but it will be needed in about 4 years when I apply to PhD programs in criminal justice or interdisciplinary studies - that is, if my health doesn't take a toll). Either way, I want to enrich my life with learning how to write better. I've read so many peer-review journals but very few fiction books. The writing styles are all different, but the ways in which the authors utilize words are impressive. Even when I read posts on PsychCentral, I'm impressed by the writing of professionals. I write so basic. I don't know how I got straight-A's as an undergrad, or how I got to publish a peer-reviewed paper from my honor's thesis, but I can only assume that it was the help of others, not my writing alone. I've read so many of my peers' papers, and they wrote way better than me (even though some didn't earn the high grades I had earned, which baffled me).

My words are so simple, with the exception of the jargon I know. I want to learn more strong verbs, better transitions, better nouns, and how to write more succinctly. I'm so verbose, and that is not good. I like details so much that I forget that people only want to see the forest - the big picture.

Anyway, I'll PM you - probably next month because my energy levels are being used up this month with my my new VA appointments, my interview on Thursday with a criminal justice professor, and with really wanting to get used to being in this online support group - which has helped me adjust better to my new living arrangements.

I probably won't need help with my papers, since I want to really master those on my own and show my own work without any influences other than the professors I'd be working with (hopefully next year - Fall 2020, or no later than Spring 2021). But, what I do need help with is practice exercises such as: Write a sentence with X, Y, and Z. Then you'd correct it and suggest changing it, or suggest that I write it in a different way to see the difference in styles, etc.

Also, I don't mind constructive criticism. If I babble on, you can always "out me" and suggest an alternative way of writing more succinctly, or omitting things that I really didn't need to say, or showing me where my wordiness is. Those are critical flaws I have, and I'm okay with criticism and correction.

Thank you so much for offering!

I hope you have a very relaxing and fun day today! I will definitely PM you by next month, if not sooner if I can.
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Default Oct 08, 2019 at 02:57 PM
  #11
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Originally Posted by sarahsweets View Post
Hey @lillib

How to Be a Good Writer
I am an English Lit graduate and if you need an opinion or something and you want to pm me feel free. I often help people with their school work and papers. I am not an official tutor but I should be. I googled something and found this link but I havent read it yet because I am on my way to the shower. I hope it helps I just wanted to write a quick reply.

@sarahsweets

You actually can be an official tutor and get paid for it. I'm not sure if there are companies out there. I once volunteered for an Immigration-based Company to help Asian Immigrants learn the English language, though I only got trained for a few hours (received a certificate) and tutored (for free) at the 0 to 1 level of English (I taught adult immigrants the ABC's and writing simple sentences, without knowing their language at all).

Anyway, you're more advanced than that, but there are organizations that would pay you, or there are ways for you to start your own tutoring business, I think. I have no idea how that would work, but if you know English really well, I'm sure you'd make a great tutor!

Maybe community colleges might consider hiring you part-time for their English/Communications departments. Maybe your former professors can make suggestions as well - at the University level.

--These are just thoughts for consideration.
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Default Oct 08, 2019 at 03:04 PM
  #12
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Originally Posted by HappyCrafter View Post
When I first wanted to write, I had no idea how much was involved in writing.

And with all due respect to my friends here, if you want to be better at something, you need to actually practice.

If you want to start jogging, where do you start? Or better your cooking skills? Reliable recipes, yes, but you need to do the recipes live in your kitchen. So, yes, reading quality writing is important, but so is actually writing.

Also, you'll need feedback from experienced writers and there are OODLES of writing communities online.

Here's a link for you to see:
Top Websites for Writers: 10 Online Writing Communities | Writer's Digest

Have fun!!
@HappyCrafter - Thank you for the link! You're right! I need to practice. The problem is, when I practice, I'm way too verbose. So, I need to practice and get feedback.

I get writer's block or maybe writer's anxiety so easily. I don't procrastinate, but I tend to throw every idea I can think of out there so that I don't forget it (or so that I don't dissociate and forget it), but then it becomes so much that I need to tighten, condense, omit, and reword. It takes a lot out of me to write an essay, but I really love to do it. I just don't have all the skills yet to do it faster. My energy also gets depleted easily.

I'll check out the website referral.
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Default Oct 08, 2019 at 03:10 PM
  #13
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Originally Posted by LiteraryLark View Post
I believe the best way to improve writing is through reading. Read everything you can, starting from the classics to more modern literature.

I've never used "a priori," "de facto," and "a posteriori" in a sentence or paper. Ever. And I consider myself a highly skilled writer.
@LiteraryLark

I've seen those Latin phrases in peer-reviewed papers on occasion. I am just curious why the author(s) chose to use those words, as opposed to alternative words/phrases. I also wondered if those words are warranted, given the statistical analyses they were describing.

My goal is to learn how to be a better writer for peer-reviewed papers (scientific papers). This is why I thought of those words. Plus, I like cool words like that. --I know that sounds silly, but, like a child, I want to learn how to use them and when to use them and why I'd be using them.

I also want to learn how to be more economical with my writing, and to be more parsimonious. I'm verbose, and that's a horrible character flaw of mine. I explain too much, and it's probably due to a combo of things, including my anxiety, my low confidence at times, my fears, etc.
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Default Oct 08, 2019 at 07:26 PM
  #14
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Originally Posted by lillib View Post
@HappyCrafter - Thank you for the link! You're right! I need to practice. The problem is, when I practice, I'm way too verbose. So, I need to practice and get feedback.

I get writer's block or maybe writer's anxiety so easily. I don't procrastinate, but I tend to throw every idea I can think of out there so that I don't forget it (or so that I don't dissociate and forget it), but then it becomes so much that I need to tighten, condense, omit, and reword. It takes a lot out of me to write an essay, but I really love to do it. I just don't have all the skills yet to do it faster. My energy also gets depleted easily.

I'll check out the website referral.
@lillib

I hear you; I have to write ideas down and when I sit down to write, it starts out jumbled and sometimes I leave it for a day or so and go back to it. That's part of the process and getting thoughts organized. And I write every day! I have to! It is wonderful for getting the toxic waste I inherited off of my chest and out of my head.

Another thing, babes, you are learning about your writing, your style and what works for you, in your uniqueness! Experiment and have fun!! xoxox

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Default Oct 10, 2019 at 01:43 PM
  #15
As you know, some of your posts on the Psychotherapy thread caught my attention. So I decided to see what other sorts of things you post here. (FYI, it would not be easy to trace my history on PC in a similar way as I closed my account with years of posting a while ago, and the current one is... well, more current and limited.)

I just wanted to respond to this and say that, IMO, you are already a terrific writer! One reason I was drawn to your posts on the other forum: they are not only very rich in interesting and valuable information but are also heartfelt and expressed very well - very clear, thoughtful, logical and graphic in ways that do not disturb but have an effect to draw in someone who loves depth and quality

I tend to be super conscious and sometimes paranoid about my writing as well. What adds to it is that English is not my first language, and I never feel confident enough that I can master it well enough in the ways I would like to. It is my language of preference now, both spoken and written (over my mother tongue), but I always carry a certain level of insecurity and self-doubt that I could ever use it in a way that aligns with my internal standards. I know that I have a good affinity for this language (studied a few other languages as well before)... also for appropriate grammar and using words and descriptions meaningfully in any language. I won competitions in essay writing and grammar in my childhood, in my first language. In other words, I know I am naturally articulate and am often praised for it. Native English speakers now often use me as an editor or to write essays from scratch. Still, there is always self-doubt. I am not sure about you - for me, it stems from some very high standards regarding quality, accuracy and precision. Part of me loves to have these standards because it calls for continuous improvement, but part of me does not like it so much because I often procrastinate due it, I withhold my input, expressions and publications due to feeling it is not good and complete enough yet. Also, I have lived in the US now for many years, and previously in the UK, and I often hate that I have an accent to my speech that I just cannot shred.

What I've found the most (mentally) helpful is to get external feedback on my writing. >90% of the time it is abundantly positive and encouraging, which counters my sometimes delusional and overly self-critical feelings that cause stagnation and creative blocks. Practically, I really don't think I need much help and can improve my vocabulary, grammar, style etc via quality reading books and articles, which is already my first favorite activity anyway.

As you can see, I also tend to be quite verbose... but I have many opportunities that actually force me to be succinct and make better, focused, more linear and easier summaries. Maybe exercise writing limited-word abstracts or tailoring your thought to different kinds of audiences. In any case, I mostly just wanted to say (after this ramble) that I like what I have seen of your writing style a lot. Depth and examining issues from many different angles just cannot come in 5-10 sentences usually! And being so sensitive to quality won't make it easier to accept the flaws. It opens up our complex abilities and strengths though to coming up with really unique, innovative analyses and discussions! A continued desire to improve is great as well, IMO al least
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Default Oct 10, 2019 at 05:41 PM
  #16
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Originally Posted by Xynesthesia2 View Post
As you know, some of your posts on the Psychotherapy thread caught my attention. So I decided to see what other sorts of things you post here. (FYI, it would not be easy to trace my history on PC in a similar way as I closed my account with years of posting a while ago, and the current one is... well, more current and limited.)

I just wanted to respond to this and say that, IMO, you are already a terrific writer! One reason I was drawn to your posts on the other forum: they are not only very rich in interesting and valuable information but are also heartfelt and expressed very well - very clear, thoughtful, logical and graphic in ways that do not disturb but have an effect to draw in someone who loves depth and quality

I tend to be super conscious and sometimes paranoid about my writing as well. What adds to it is that English is not my first language, and I never feel confident enough that I can master it well enough in the ways I would like to. It is my language of preference now, both spoken and written (over my mother tongue), but I always carry a certain level of insecurity and self-doubt that I could ever use it in a way that aligns with my internal standards. I know that I have a good affinity for this language (studied a few other languages as well before)... also for appropriate grammar and using words and descriptions meaningfully in any language. I won competitions in essay writing and grammar in my childhood, in my first language. In other words, I know I am naturally articulate and am often praised for it. Native English speakers now often use me as an editor or to write essays from scratch. Still, there is always self-doubt. I am not sure about you - for me, it stems from some very high standards regarding quality, accuracy and precision. Part of me loves to have these standards because it calls for continuous improvement, but part of me does not like it so much because I often procrastinate due it, I withhold my input, expressions and publications due to feeling it is not good and complete enough yet. Also, I have lived in the US now for many years, and previously in the UK, and I often hate that I have an accent to my speech that I just cannot shred.

What I've found the most (mentally) helpful is to get external feedback on my writing. >90% of the time it is abundantly positive and encouraging, which counters my sometimes delusional and overly self-critical feelings that cause stagnation and creative blocks. Practically, I really don't think I need much help and can improve my vocabulary, grammar, style etc via quality reading books and articles, which is already my first favorite activity anyway.

As you can see, I also tend to be quite verbose... but I have many opportunities that actually force me to be succinct and make better, focused, more linear and easier summaries. Maybe exercise writing limited-word abstracts or tailoring your thought to different kinds of audiences. In any case, I mostly just wanted to say (after this ramble) that I like what I have seen of your writing style a lot. Depth and examining issues from many different angles just cannot come in 5-10 sentences usually! And being so sensitive to quality won't make it easier to accept the flaws. It opens up our complex abilities and strengths though to coming up with really unique, innovative analyses and discussions! A continued desire to improve is great as well, IMO al least
@Xynesthesia2

Thank you so much for your reply. Your writing is superb! I would never have guessed that English is your second language, at least for the U.S. But the UK uses English, correct? Forgive me if I'm wrong, since I don't know much about the UK. From what I've read or seen in movies/shows/films, the UK has such a sophisticated language that I'm in awe sometimes when I hear their language and use certain words in their vocabulary. You definitely reveal such strengths in your writing.

I was born here, but I was also poor growing up. Studies have shown that youth in more affluent homes learn more words than their less affluent counterparts. I'm a statistic in that regard; I was raised primarily around slang instead of proper English. I grew up in various 'hoods, as they would say in slang. I may be half-Japanese and half-White, but my mixed race with Asian does not mean that I'm smarter, well versed, or well poised. I'm one of the few races with this mix who have been seen among homeless populations, veteran populations, or in clinical settings. Like one of my mentors said to me, I'm an "outlier."

I need improvements in my writing in these areas: 1. tightening sentences, and 2. learning stronger verbs and nouns. I also need a refresher on grammar.

It sounds like you are doing really well with your acclimating to the U.S.! I would have never guessed from your writing that you were from another country. That's amazing!
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Default Oct 10, 2019 at 08:02 PM
  #17
I lived in the UK for a few years before moving to the US. Originally, I am from a country within Eastern Europe where English is not the first language. My mother tongue is very different from English (the structure of grammar and everything is very different), but I actually like English better now. I was born, raised, lived my life and did my education up to college in my first language, which is quite difference from English in many ways. Did my PhD in a European country where English was the work language, but not recreational. Then moved to the UK, and eventually US. Speaking foreign languages was not the norm in my family of origin back in Eastern Europe - actually I am the first, and I also have a cousin who immigrated to the US. Both of us learned everything on our own, via our experiences - foreigns languages were never spoken or exercised in my family of origin. But my parents did pay and encourage classes for me to learn some basics during elementary, middle and high school.

I definitely learned the basics of the English language in the classes in my home country, especially during high school. But learned to use it really in different countries in Europe, and eventually here in the US. All as an adult. But whatever extra sophistication I've picked up and practice now is the result of my individual exploration, I think. I think it it reflects my standards, who I am and how I like to do things. Some say we cannot learn / change effectively as adults - not my experience
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Default Oct 10, 2019 at 08:43 PM
  #18
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Originally Posted by Xynesthesia2 View Post
I lived in the UK for a few years before moving to the US. Originally, I am from a country within Eastern Europe where English is not the first language. My mother tongue is very different from English (the structure of grammar and everything is very different), but I actually like English better now. I was born, raised, lived my life and did my education up to college in my first language, which is quite difference from English in many ways. Did my PhD in a European country where English was the work language, but not recreational. Then moved to the UK, and eventually US. Speaking foreign languages was not the norm in my family of origin back in Eastern Europe - actually I am the first, and I also have a cousin who immigrated to the US. Both of us learned everything on our own, via our experiences - foreigns languages were never spoken or exercised in my family of origin. But my parents did pay and encourage classes for me to learn some basics during elementary, middle and high school.

I definitely learned the basics of the English language in the classes in my home country, especially during high school. But learned to use it really in different countries in Europe, and eventually here in the US. All as an adult. But whatever extra sophistication I've picked up and practice now is the result of my individual exploration, I think. I think it it reflects my standards, who I am and how I like to do things. Some say we cannot learn / change effectively as adults - not my experience
@Xynesthesia2

You cease to amaze me! Your writing is way better than mine, and your English is way better than mine! I honestly would never have noticed or even detected that you were not from here had you not said anything. You ROCK!

So you know three languages - two being English for different countries (UK and US)? That's awesome! I had a hard enough time with Spanish, but English (my native tongue) remains challenging for me. I really don't know why. It's not that I cannot write with the vocabulary I have at my disposal, it's really that I haven't read that much during my childhood. I think there's something different about learning as an adult versus learning as a child, which is why traditional (young) students are often prized over non-traditional (older) students. My straight-A's mean not much compared to someone who earned straight-A's in high school. My grades in high school were average and fluctuating, from A's to D's - sometimes in the same subject. The funny part about my background is that I would start out with a bad grade and end with a good grade in some high school courses, and then the reverse would happen in other courses. I earned better grades in college than I did in high school. Here, in the U.S., your high school grades matter a lot for college and beyond. I suppose at the graduate level, however, there are some few who can excel despite their academically impoverished childhoods. It's sad to see the disparities connected with socioeconomic status and, in some cases, race/ethnicity in the US. I'm not sure if the same disparities exist in other countries. --That would be an interesting factor.

Anyway, you write really well! And you seem to adjust really well to different countries and settings, based on what you've shared. That's a lot of gifts and talents to have! And, your strengths against other dominant manipulators are amazing. I do like what you shared in your other post. I made a bunch of comments, but please tell me if I've said something incorrect or offensive. I try to consider so many things that, in my writings, I may come off as a bit arrogant, opinionated, or biased - which I will have to work on. I fluctuate between wanting to voice my opinion and try things new to feeling afraid and sometimes ashamed. I know where those feelings come from, but I try to hold on as best I can and continue learning. Communication is hard all around - even written communication.

YOU WRITE REALLY WELL! You know English really well!
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Default Oct 10, 2019 at 09:06 PM
  #19
Thanks, that means a lot. As I said, I do obsess about my language and expression.

You say in your profile that you have DID. Can that be the source of why, you think, you lack abilities?
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Default Oct 10, 2019 at 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Xynesthesia2 View Post
Thanks, that means a lot. As as I said, I do obsess about my language and expression.

You say in your profile that you have DID. Can that be the source of why, you think, you lack abilities?
DID could be a source. It is there because I was so traumatized that my own self-worth was fractured, hidden and replaced with alternate personalities. I was not strong enough to be me and fight back, so some other part was created to succumb to the survival needs at hand. I was told not to write in a diary, to keep secrets. So writing became a betrayal, and something I felt I was not good at. I write now because it is healing and freeing. It is a way for me to tell my secrets. But I doubt myself a lot.
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