Strategies to improve your writing skills

(adapted from the book Making the Most of College by Richard J. Light)

· Ask specific questions in class or during one-to-one meetings.

o Don't fear to ask questions. Teachers usually view students who ask questions as more committed to improving their writing than those who do not. Your classmates will not believe you are less intelligent. Ask for specific instructions on how to implement the suggestions

· Ask about recurrent feedback

o Take a proactive approach when you receive feedback. Ask your teachers to go over the feedback with them. Do not assume you understand the written comments in your essays.

· Ask for specific examples of problems.

o Ask your teachers to point out specific passages in your essay where feedback applies.

· Get help from others

o Ask a friend to read your essay or the writing center specialist. But remember that academic writing changes according to each discipline –or sometimes even according to sub-disciplines. So, make sure that the reader understands the conventions of the discipline or sub-discipline.

· Ask for strategies for revision.

o Ask your teachers to suggest writing exercises or other specific activities to help you focus your revisions.