Writing Tricks for College Essays and beyond

How can you go from plain, boring messages in Whatsapp to spectacular ones? Keep listening. Learn how to impress all of your friends with these super-cool "writing tricks"!

TRICK 4: FORMATTING COMBINATION

*_text_*

TRICK 5: TO CHANGE THE FONT TO MONOSPACE

ALTERNATIVELY:

Are you writing too much? Well, don't! 

If you want to become a proud, consistent writer, just follow these two easy tricks…

TRICK 1: Set the bar ultra-low

Instead, your goal is to write only one true sentence. Just one. The beauty of that goal is that it’s really easy to accomplish. Then, if you can, keep going. That way, whatever else you write on that day is an extra. You are well above your aim. Easy, right?

TRICK 2: Don’t just get started. Make it into a habit.

So, if you want to improve your writing, don't be too demanding. Set realistic goals that will make you feel proud of yourself once you have accomplished them. Make sure that they are so easy to integrate into your routine that they can be easily turned into a habit. 

Then, proudly call yourself an accomplished writer! 

What  is a report? Why should I care? How do I go about it? Find out in today's epidode

SAMPLE REPORT TASK:

The international organization where you work has a sum of money available for making improvement to the work environment in your office to make it more productive. You have been asked to write a report for your manager in with you

Write your report.

SAMPLE REPORT ANSWER:

REPORT ON WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENTS

Introduction

The aim of this report is to outline the deficiencies in our present office environment and the suggestions which have been made for improvements, and to make recommendations for two changes.

The office environment

At present, the office suffers from a number of problems. Firstly, the air-conditioning system is antiquated and therefore noisy. This causes headaches and occasionally makes it difficult to hold telephone conversations. Also, the open office plan makes it difficult for people to concentrate on the work  as they are frequently distracted by conversations in other parts of the office. Finally, many of the office chairs are uncomfortable and employees who spend long hours in front of their computers often complain of back ache.

Staff suggestions

Staff  were consulted and they made the following suggestions: first, the air-conditioning should be replaced by a more modern, quieter system which provides cool air in the summer and heating in the winter. It was felt that this would reduce tiredness and improve morale, which would enable staff to work more productively. To deal with distractions from conversations there were two suggestions: either dividing the office with screens round each workstation, or having separate meeting rooms for necessary work discussions. Staff also requested more ergonomic office chairs.

Recommendation

As a first measure, I would recommend replacing the air conditioning and the office chairs. These two changes will have a direct effect on productivity by reducing absence due to sick leave and enabling staff to work more efficiently and more comfortably.

*****

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.

What on Earth is a proposal? Will I ever need to write one while I am in College? Well, there is an easy trick to help you with it. Here Is What You Should Do For Your PROPOSAL. Follow this sample one...

SAMPLE TASK:

“You are member of the Students’ Council at the college where you study. The principal of the college wants to make it easier for first year students from other countries to fit into college life and has invited you to send in a proposal with practical suggestions. You have been asked specifically to consider improving the range of social activities on offer and appointing students advisers to help new students.”

Write your proposal.

SAMPLE SUGGESTED ANSWER:

PROPOSAL FOR INTEGRATING NEW STUDENTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Introduction

The purpose of this proposal is to suggest ways of facilitating overseas students’ integration into this college.

Overseas students’ problems

There are two difficulties which newly arrived students have. Firstly, they are unfamiliar with the academic system in our country. Secondly, they often find it difficult to integrate on a social level with other students and the general population here.

Social activities

Judging by recent figures, it is clear that social activities organized by the college are not well attended. It has been noted that very few new students from other countries attend, especially in their first year. This may be partly due to poor publicity, but, more seriously, it may be because there is not a wide enough variety of activities attractive to foreign students. I would recommend asking new student themselves for their ideas on the kinds of social activities they would enjoy and I suggest we should invite these students to take part in organizing new activities.

Student advisers

It would also be a good idea, in my opinion, to instigate a new advisory system. This, more than anything, would overcome students’ problems with both the academic system and social aspects of their life at the college. A more experienced adviser or mentor would be responsible for helping new students from other countries to understand our system by giving them guidance and advise, while also introducing them to other students and helping them to make friends.

Conclusion

I suggest that we ask for volunteers to help with all the areas mentioned above.

*****

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE

What's the Single Most Important Thing You Need To Know About PROPOSALS? No, not that kind of proposal... Proposals in an academic setting.

What Is a proposal, what is a report, and How Do they Work? Keep listening: here Is What You Should Do!

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.  

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English,  you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends  – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

So, you want to write addictive articles. What's the first step? The title. How do you write a “clickbait” one? Find out here...

- Write something shocking: “Computer games are way too soft; we want brutality!”

- Leave your reader interested: “You'll never believe the kind of night life waiting for you in Madrid!”

- Use mysterious explanations: “Madrid at night  is like a jungle: here's why…”

- Go for lists: “Top 5 places to see (and to be seen) in Madrid.”

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.  

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English,  you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends  – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

What are the top six steps that can turn your last article into a viral one? Is there anything you can do, or anything that you should avoid? Find out in today's episode 

OUTLINE: 6 EASY STEPS TO WRITE AMAZING ARTICLES AND BLOGPOSTS

STEP 1. Select your topic. Narrow it down.

STEP 2. Address your audience's needs. Pick three words to describe them. For example, professional, single, men.

STEP 3 Get your ideas in one place:

- Do your research. Find out statistics, quotes by well-known people, definitions, anecdotes, etc.

- Gather it, compile it, reference it.

- Play around with the things that you have found. Sift through your if, sprinkle it here and there

STEP 4. Write your first draft. Retain a nice, conversational tone by directly addressing your audience.

STEP 5. Go for a coffee. Come back to your first draft. Read it. Be brutal. Ask yourself, is it working? Is it too general? Unclear? Choppy? Remember, you want your reader to walk away knowing EXACTLY how to enjoy great discos in Madrid at the weekend!

STEP 6. Tighten your draft. Go for another coffee. Read it, improve it, keep working on it until you consider that your target reader will be satisfied with the result of your article.

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.  

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English,  you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends  – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

As we have covered in the previous episode, writing an article in an English exam context is just a way to show your examiners that you can write in a personal, direct, engaging way. What are the kind of things you will have to write about? Is there a sample article we could analyse? Can we have a glimpse of the features that will make it successful? Find out in today's episode.

ARTICLES - SAMPLE EXAM TASK

You see the following announcement on your college noticeboard.

MY BEST FRIEND

Tell us about your best friend for the college newspaper.  We want to know:

We will publish the most interesting articles next week.

SAMPLE ANSWER:

AN INSEPARABLE FRIEND

Leah has been my best friend from that they when, aged seven, I climbed onto the school bus to go to my new primary School.

I wandered nervously down the bus, which was full of noisy kids shouting and laughing excitedly, and found a place beside a quiet girl with fair hair and friendly green eyes.

We were both very shy, so we didn't talk much to each other on the way to school, although we smiled at each other timidly. And when we went into class we naturally sat down at the same table. Gradually, we got to know each other: we played together in the playground, we visited each other's houses, and our parents soon became firm friends as well.

We still share each other's secrets and we have complete confidence in each other. When either of us as a problem, the other is always ready to help. We have so much in common that we spend most of our free time together. We've even been on holidays together sometimes. And we still share the same table at school 10 years later!

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.  

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English,  you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends  – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

What is an article? Or, at least, what do examiners mean by an article? What is the difference between an article and other academic genres? What are the top 5 things to bear in mind when writing one? Find out in today's epidode.

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.  

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English,  you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends  – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

Let's have a look at a sample review of a restaurant. I hope it will inspire you to feel confident and to post something online!

REVIEW

THE LOTUS FLOWER

I tried the Lotus flower for the first time this month with my family for my dad's birthday, and I realised that it was easily the best Chinese restaurant we've eaten in.

The surroundings were very modern, yet it still felt airy and cosy. The waiters were very welcoming and helpful, and not too rushed, as is often the case in some popular restaurants.

As I was eating with a group of six, we managed to try a good range of items on the menu; between us, we couldn't find single thing that wasn't satisfying and delicious. Every dish featured wonderful combinations of flavors. All the ingredients were clearly fresh and of the highest quality, and I thought the seafood was particularly tasty. My parents felt we were given very good value for money, because that meal came to about 10€ per person, which they thought was very reasonable.

All of us would highly recommend this restaurant, and it is just a short walk from our house, we will definitely be back for many more dinners!

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.  

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English,  you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends  – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.