Academic writing is tiring. You start with an idea, but then it is up to you to research your point and back it up. The same goes for a non-fiction book – an idea isn’t enough. The research, and documenting that research, is a huge part of both of these enterprises. Finishing a research paper, […]
Help My English – ESL Tips from a Professional Editor
Expressing oneself clearly can be difficult when it comes to any language. Putting the concepts which appear so clear and self-evident in your head onto paper – with no feedback or interaction to let you know what you could have done to improve your statements – is typically a trial-and-error procedure. It appears to move […]
When to Use a Colon
Few punctuation marks confound as much as one that should be one of the simplest, the colon. Use of the colon has many writers scratching their heads. It’s either not used when it should be, or used way more often than it should be. Normally, it’s the last thing a writer will even think about, […]
When to Use a Semicolon
In normal prose, a semicolon is used between two independent clauses to indicate a closer connection between them– whether logical, causal, sequential, or associative – than would be implied by a period. The difference can be illustrated by the following two passages: 1. You need to prepare for your trip. It often rains in London. […]