Students who have difficulties with written expression may have problems with organising their written work, structuring sentences, writing grammatically and/or spelling correctly. Remember that the aim of the writer is to convey meaning clearly. Try some of the following strategies:
- Start work on assignments early - preferably as soon as you get them.
- Spend time understanding what is required before beginning to research and write. Underline or highlight key words in the topic to help you focus on what is required.
- To reduce the possibility of straying from the topic, write it out in large letters and place it above your computer or work desk so that you can easily refer to it.
- Planning is the most important step in organising your writing. Few people can 'start at the beginning and write to the end' without planning their route.
- Learn how to develop concept maps. As you research and read, you can alter the concept map.
- Once you have a concept map you can convert the parts of it to sections, paragraphs and even sentences in your essay.
- Use a computer with software that assists reading and writing.
- Do not write long, complex sentences. It is easier to write grammatically and convey meaning clearly if your sentences are simpler.
- If you have difficulty thinking, writing, spelling and remembering all at once, try tape recording a sentence or paragraph and then writing/typing it out.
- If you have difficulty detecting errors in your work, reading aloud may help you find them.
- If you read aloud what you think you have written, rather than what you actually wrote, trying using read-aloud screen reader software and listening to it instead.
- Ask the learning skills staff at your university, a family member or a friend to read through what you have written and explain your frequent errors to you. For example, you may have problems with punctuation, capitalisation, word usage, spelling, grammar or sentence structure.
- Buy a basic grammar book from the university bookshop and revise the relevant rules. Look for a book which is not too complex, which explains rules clearly and which gives helpful examples.
- If your writing difficulties are significant but your oral language is good, consider using voice dictation software. Although this is easier for many students, it is still necessary to plan carefully, use formal academic language and adhere to word limits.
- Try not to use time extensions for assignments. If you are late with one assignment the next one (and later ones) will almost inevitably be late too, and then you will be left with less time than others for examination preparation.
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