Write It Well 

The most challenging of tasks for many of my students is to write a quality essay.  This rests on the fact that it’s difficult for them to organize their thoughts and put them on paper, much less do it in English.

But let this not be a deterrent.  It just takes some time, dedication, and a few good tricks to give your essay a semblance of a professional’s.  And once you have a grasp of it, your skills can be carried over into almost every aspect of communication in your own native language.   

Here are a few pointers to start you off on the right track:

1. Use ''first,'' ''second,'' or ''third,'' to help sequence your ideas.  Once you have a good feel of how to flow your ideas, you can discard them.

2. Put your thesis statement at the bottom of your introductory paragraph, and have your topic sentence at the top of each body paragraph.

3. Train yourself not to use ''because,'' or you will continue to depend on it.  Overusing it can make your writing look a tad juvenile.

4. Use metaphors and figurative language to add character and style.

5. Read from various materials so that you will become more in tune with the ways in which writers apply persuasion and wisdom. You should know a few key words to help you put in place the last pieces for a complete picture.

筆者為任教於台大語文中心外籍教師 Johnson Lai