Tag Archives: language

Language/Writing Tip 37

Avoid using the same conjunctions again and again. “But” and “as” are two main culprits here. Showing contrast: “The academic year is almost over, BUT that doesn’t mean I have stopped already. Some students are tempted to stop, BUT I … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 36

The semi-colon is a wonderful half-break in a sentence; a fine way of not-quite stopping the flow of words. And that sentence is simply wrong. There is no call for a break before the fragment “a fine way…” It is … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 35

As is often the case, this is one you all know: “Only after I arrived at the store I remembered that my wallet was still at home.” No. You need an inversion. When you start a sentence with “Only after…,” … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 34

This week a few presentation tips. Adapt them according to the class and subject matter: – Your first sentence does not have to be “This presentation is about…” Think of movies that start with action scenes before the opening credits … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 33

A few notes on abstracts. – avoid footnotes (they get very ugly very fast, especially if the abstract appears in two or more language – three harmless-looking footnotes become six) – try to pack everything init to a single paragraph; … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 32

Here’s a structure to ponder: ‘Ludwig Wittgenstein is one of the most influential philosophers of language who explained the essential role of “family relationships” in his influential works.’ The phrasing is complicated and and, in fact, wrong (since there are … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 31

Try to avoid “in… in…” patterns. Use adjectives or adverbs to soothe the reader’s eye and ear. 1) “In an interview in 2001, Obama states…” vs. “In a 2001 interview, Obama states…” 2) “In general in Atwood’s work…” vs. “Atwood’s … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 30

Lists. Always a thrilling topic. Make sure to order your lists clearly. If you mention “The works of Tolstoy, Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Hemingway, Faulkner and Woolf…,” you can arrange them: 1) alphabetically: “The works of Chekhov, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Faulkner, Hemingway, Tolstoy … Continue reading

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Language/Writing Tip 29

The author and punctuation. 1) Instead of “the author,” just write the author’s name. E.g. NOT “The author’s novel…” but “Hemingway’s novel…” Two more details: i) remember, in literature papers, to avoid Slovenian-style initials – NOT “C. Dickens” but “Charles … Continue reading

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ELOPE X – Autumn

Dear SDAŠ friends and members, ELOPE Volume X – Autumn (2013): Studies in the English Language and Literatures in Slovenia (Eds. Smiljana Komar and Uroš Mozetič) is now available online (http://www.sdas.edus.si/vol10-2.html). If you’re a SDAŠ member and haven’t received your … Continue reading

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