Most academic writing is in sentences. That helps the reader follow what you're saying, because usually
One sentence = One idea
Each sentence has two basic parts: What it's about and What you're saying about it. As long as you have that basic two-part unit, you can add extra pieces before it (1), after it (2), or both (3).
| Good writing is a useful skill. | Good writing shows the author's meaning. | |
| (1) | In academic work, good writing is a useful skill. | Among other things, good writing shows the author's meaning. |
| (2) | Good writing is a useful skill for all students. | Good writing shows the author's meaning, especially when working with difficult ideas. |
| (3) | In academic work, good writing is a useful skill for all students. | Among other things, good writing shows the author's meaning, especially when working with difficult ideas. |
Sometimes, the extra piece is a whole mini-sentence itself. If you do that, join them with particular words (e.g. "because" - see Tip 4 for more detail).
| Good writing is a useful skill, because it shows the author's meaning. |
COMMON MISTAKE
When you have two ideas, don't just run them together with a comma. Either start a new sentence (1) or show how they're connected (2).
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X Good writing is a useful skill for all students, it shows the author's meaning. |
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| (1) | Good writing is a useful skill for all students. It shows the author's meaning. |
| (2) | Good writing is a useful skill for all students, because it shows the author's meaning. |
COMMON MISTAKE
If a sentence has a joining word (e.g. "because"), it can't stand on its own - it can only be added to a sentence (1).
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X Good writing is a useful skill for all students. Because it shows the author's meaning. |
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| (1) | Good writing is a useful skill for all students, because it shows the author's meaning. |