Welcome to the English Composition Writing FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). This FAQ addresses difficulties that many new college writers have with mechanics, style, content, and structure. While meant for the neophyte writer, even experienced writers may benefit from some of the answers to the following questions. We can all use a review.
The FAQ is divided into several sections, each containing areas that many new writers find troublesome at first. Additional examples should appear under each answer to further clarify the issue involved.
Comments, questions, and submissions can be submitted at the bottom of the page as comments. [Note: Please check back frequently if your questions have not yet been answered. Unlinked questions have not been answered yet. —Ed.]
Start Here
- How do I get started writing?
- What questions do I need to ask as a writer?
Content Questions
- How does a “topic” differ from a “subject”?
- What is a strong subject for an essay?
- What is meant by “purpose” in an essay?
- What is “audience”?
- What is a “thesis statement”?
- Is there anything to avoid when writing a thesis statement?
- What is “interesting detail” and how do I use it?
- What is “development” or “support”?
- Where do I go for essay subject ideas?
- What is a strong title and how do I write one?
- Are there different types of essays?
Mechanics and Grammar Questions
- What’s the difference between plurals and possessives?
- What is a “comma splice”?
- What is a “run-on” sentence?
- What is a “sentence fragment”?
- How do I know when I need to use a comma?
- Is a comma really necessary after the last element in a list of three or more?
- How do you use a semicolon?
- What is “subject/verb agreement”?
- What is “pronoun/antecedent agreement”?
- What are “coordinating conjunctions”?
Structural Questions
- What is a “thesis statement” and how do I write a strong one?
- What are some guidelines for writing a thesis?
- What is a “topic sentence”?
- How does an “opening sentence” differ from a “topic sentence”?
- How do I write a strong title?
- How do I write a strong introduction?
- What is the “body” of an essay?
- How do I write an effective conclusion?
- What is “unity”?
- What is “point of view”?
- How should an essay be organized?
- How do I get the ideas from my head to the paper?
- What are “transitions”?
- How do I present titles of other works in my essay?
Stylistic Questions
- What is “tone”?
- What is wrong with “it”?
- Why is the pronoun “this” ambiguous?
- What is the “passive voice”?
- What is “word choice”?
- What is an “awkward sentence”?
- What is “redundancy”?
- What is “wordiness”?
- What is “hyperbole”?
- When is something “clichéd” or “trite”?
- How can my writing be more persuasive?
Writing About Literature
- What tense do I use when writing about literature?
- How do I present titles of poems, novels, etc. in my essay?
- How do I incorporate quotations into my writing?
- How do I begin reading poetry?
Writing for the Web
- What is “usability”?
- How do I write on a wiki?
- How do I write on a blog?
- How do I make appropriate comments?
Revision and Editing
- How about some general writing tips?
- Editing? Proofreading? Revision?
- Is there a general checklist of items to look for when editing?
- What are some basic editing strategies for new writers?
Miscellaneous
