Writing Tricks for College Essays and beyond

How to link two independent clauses or sentences into a compound sentence using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). From a semantic point of view, this would be the equivalent of having a marriage of two strong, independent people. Individually, they can survive, but together, they're stronger. Coupling sentences in this way —using a comma plus a fanboy— is the equivalent of getting to read their the wedding vows. This strategy is the same as making sure that we explicitly know the connection between them: reason, addition, contrast, surprising contrast, etc...

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.

In this episode, we will talk about "the colon". This is a very interesting piece of punctuation that can allow us to expand on ideas, to create lists, and to alter sentence structure for impact. Listen to this episode, pay attention to the syntax involved, and I hope that you can make your writing far more interesting from now on!

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.

Do all sentences need to follow the structure subject + verb + object, or can we design more exciting ways to express thoughts? Find out in today's episode, in which we will combine syntax and punctuation to create meaning.

OUTLINE: 

1. Reviewing previous episodes

2. How to begin a sentence following the standard sentence structure (subject + verb+ object)

3. How to begin with an adverbial clause or prepositional phrase

4. How to begin with one -ed adjective: Scared, ...

5. How to begin with two -ed adjectives: Scared and confused, ...

6. How to begin a sentence with an -ing adjective: Hoping that no one would recognise her, …

7. How to begin a sentence with a simile: Like a bullet, 

8. How to begin a sentence with a condition: If I see her, …

9. Sandwich techniques: I can, of I see her, tell her.

10. How to use sentence length to make our writing interesting: using long sentences for content and short ones for impact

KEYWORDS:

Sentence structure, adverbial starts, -ed adjectives as openers, -ing starts, simile, condition, sandwich techniques, sentence length

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.

Commas and disjuncts. What are they? How should you go about them?

OUTLINE: 

1. Introduction (reviewing previous episodes): Forcing non-essential information and clauses into a sentence requires commas

2. How to punctuate personal opinions

- What are disjuncts?

- Some examples of disjuncts

- What are conjuncts, adjuncts and disjuncts?

- How to identify disjuncts: Sarah, unfortunately, has to work late.

KEYWORDS:

conjuncts, adjuncts, disjuncts, opinions, commas

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.

Using the comma to add extra, non-essential information to sentences.

OUTLINE: 

1. Introduction: Reviewing previous episodes

2. How to use commas as a means to include non-essential, additional info: non-defining relative clauses

- My neighbour, who is from France, is an idiot.

3. Why we should not use commas with defining relative clauses

- My neighbour who is from France is an idiot.

KEYWORDS:

commas, relative clauses, defining relative clauses, non- defining relative clauses

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.

Other comma uses: from places to time, from adjectives to lists, from extra info to the Oxford comma, and everything in between...

OUTLINE:

1. How to use commas to separate a city and its state 

2. How to pile up prepositional phrases of place

3. How to use commas with dates: American and British systems to write dates 

4. How and when to use commas with coordinating adjectives

5. How to use commas when calling people out (vocative): “Let's eat, Grandpa!” Vs. “Let's eat Grandpa!”

6. How to use commas with lists (the listing comma)

7. How, when and why to use the Oxford comma:

- She went to the pub with her boyfriend, an idiot and a clown.

- She went to the pub with her boyfriend, an idiot, and a clown.

KEYWORDS:

commas with places, commas with times, commas with adjectives, commas with vocatives, listing comma, the Oxford comma 

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 will happen if I want to begin my sentence with a negative adverbial? Would it be enough with a comma, or is there a higher price to pay? Jump right into the fascinating world of negative inversions...   

1. Introduction: A review of the previous episode; it is OK ro move an adverbial to the beginning of the sentence as long as I promise to give you a comma.

2. What happens if I want to move a negative adverb to the beginning of a sentence? Negative adverbial openings cause negative inversions. This implies a whole change in syntax and sentence structure. The statement follows the syntax of  a question. 

- I have never read a more boring book.

- Never have I read a more boring book  

3. Suggestions and further practice

KEYWORDS:

Subject, verb, object, adverbials, negative adverbials and adverbs, syntax, structure of a declarative sentence, structure of an interrogative sentence, negative inversions

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.

Can I challenge the common sentence structure "subject + verb + object/complement"? What if I feel like starting with place or time? Can I go for it? Sure, as long as you promise to add a comma...

1. Introduction: A review of the previous episode; he position and order of adverbial groups within a sentence.

2. What happens when we move adverbials to the beginning of the sentence? Brief pauses (when speaking); adding a comma (when writing) => 

   - In England, people drive on the left. (Place)

   - Tonight, you must do your homework. (Time)

   - Slowly, he was writing his essay. (Manner)

   - Because I like her, I will tell her. (Reason)

   - If I see her, I will tell her. (Condition)

3. Why do natives sometimes forget about the commas with adverbial starts?

4. Why do I need to add commas after opening adverbials if natives don't do it?

KEYWORDS:

Subject, verb, object, adverbial of place, adverbial of time, adverbial of manner, adverbial of reason, syntax, position of adverbials within a sentence, sentence structure, comma, adverbial openings, prepositional phrases, clauses 

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.