Problems+and+Solutions

=Student problems in writing and possible solutions.=

Problem # 1 The sentence __**structure is mixed up**__ example: example: example:

Problem #2. The __**organization**__ of the essay is not clear example: example: example:

Problem #3. The essay sounds like **__someone talking instead of someone writing.__** Words are left out, phrases are too informal and things are not explained in the writing. example:"Today, I'm going to talk about..." The following is a response to a student writing  Writing is different than speaking in that when we speak we exagerate to show emotion. We can also see the whole picture with our eyes when someone is speaking. We can't do this in writing. You wrote, " Teenagers don't care about their health. This is an absolutely false statement. When you write "Teenagers" you automatically are referring to all people all over the world between the ages of 13 to 18. You are stating that all people between the ages of 13 to 18 do not pay any attention whatsoever to their health. This is clearly wrong. However, if you were talking to a normal parent who has teenagers living at home, you might hear them SAY such a blanket statement. In writing essays, it is important to 'hedge your bet' and write more accurately (*see below).

*Hedgeing your bets-->Using words like 'might', 'most', 'probably' is "hedging your bet". When a writer 'hedges a bet', they are writing more accurately. You can't say accurately, for example; "All women wear make-up." That is not accurate. A writer can write with some accuracy, however, if they hedge their bet by changing a few words: "It is widely known, that most women in America wear make-up."

Problem #4. Article use and singular/plural nouns example: example: example:

Problem #5. Essay uses such expressions as 'a lot of', 'kids' example: example: example:

Problem #6 Don't know the proper rules of writing essays example:.uses contractions; 'they're' example: uses 'I' or 'we' example:

Problem #7 Sentences or phrases in a __**sentence are left out**__ and consequencly the meaning of what the writer is trying to say is lost. example:. example: example: [ You wrote, "Teenagers don't care about their health; they just want to become a man." This sentence makes no sense. I was a teenager and I didn't want to become a man and how does this tie into caring for your health? When we write, our words become real, but they can not carry the job of creating understanding unless you use the best words possible and more words to illustrate what you are trying to say .]