Monthly Archives: January 2014

Language/Writing Tip 19

Spot the stylistic problems in this passage: “Inspiration is something of a strength in this little text, and with that I’m thinking more or less of its rather positive qualities. The sentences are fairly short and, on the whole, clear, … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 18

Words, words, words, words. 1) “borrow” A bad joke is worth a lengthy explanation:  “Can I borrow an egg?”  “Will you return it?” If returning the item is not an option, “borrow” can sound strange. (Unlike native speakers, Slovenians rarely … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 17

Spot the howler in this sentence: “I have learned few things over the years,” said my dad, with a wistful and knowing look. Here, “few things” is a synonym for “I have learned virtually nothing…” Sometimes a missing article does … Continue reading

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Reminder: Doctoral Sessions at the ESSE Conference

Applications to take part in the Doctoral Sessions at the ESSE Conference must be sent no later than 28 February 2014. Young scholars who are writing their PhD theses in English Studies and are at least in the second year … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 16

Don’t start two sentences in a row with the same word. An example: “Yet despite his frustrations, he never established his own institution, even though his reputation would have allowed him to do so. Yet since the 1990s, American education … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 15

Want to make your writing splendidly dull? No problem. Just repeat words, preferably vague ones: “The good thing about the novel is that it’s a good read.” Less obviously: “Something that we might consider is that some things are not … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 14

The phrase “puts it nicely” or “shows nicely” can sound patronizing and, sometimes, downright grotesque. 1) Patronizing. “Shakespeare puts it nicely when he has Hamlet say, ‘To be or not to be…’” Well done, Bard! (The problem here seems to … Continue reading

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