Formal writing needs consistency. Do not shift person: “If one studies hard, you will pass” should be “If you study hard, you will pass.”
Avoid squinting modifiers, which could describe either of two words: “Students who revise often score highly” (often revise or often score?). Rewrite: “Students who often revise score highly.”
Cut redundancy: “In my opinion, I think the ending is weak” repeats itself. Precise, concise writing earns more credit than padded writing.
Worked example
Remove the redundancy: “The two friends met together at 12 noon midday.”
- Met already implies together.
- 12 noon and midday mean the same.
Answer:The two friends met at noon.
Key words
- redundancy
- unnecessary repetition
- consistency
- staying the same throughout
- squinting modifier
- a modifier that could apply to two words
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.9-10.1a