Three of the Most Common Errors:
Please keep a self-editing eye on these most common stylistic errors:
- Over-use of the pronoun “I” and “me”: professional writers focus on the reader(s).
- EXAMPLE: “I am currently a fourth year student in the faculty of Kinesiology. I have had experience with fitness and health growing up as a competitive dancer, cheerleader and hockey player. I now use my knowledge from kinesiology as a professional dancer to further train myself and teach. I volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House through my sorority, and at the SPCA when I have time. If my dance career does no work out, I plan to apply to vet school once I have completed my undergrad.”
- REWRITE: As a student of Kinesiology with experience in fitness and health, competitive dance, cheer-leading and hockey, my studies are useful for training and teaching with my focus on a career in dance or, if necessary –veterinarian studies. Volunteering with my sorority at the Ronald McDonald house and the SPCA have been rewarding experiences.
- Do not end a sentence with a two-letter word; always rewrite and you will have a better sentence.
- EXAMPLE: ” Firstly, I had to the opportunity to define a term In my field of profession and educate my peers on it.”
- REWRITE: I had to the opportunity to define a term in my field of profession and educate my peers.
- Avoid the Negative:
- EXAMPLE: “If Toku chooses to just rely on walk-in customers for business and not participate in marketing efforts similar to its competitors, Toku is expected to continue losing customers and market share to other competitors. Consequently, this may adversely affect the company’s profitability.”
- Re-Write: If Toku increases their marketing efforts and improves marketing strategies, they can expect to regain lost customers and increase their customer base and likewise increase profitability.
- NOTE: How re-phrasing in the positive also eliminates all sorts of unnecessary words.
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