Past Work Analysis Project - Part II: Further Reading 1. Research Based on my work in Part I, I have identified the following three priorities for improvement: Wordiness/Lengthiness, Conciseness, and Smoother Transitions. When it comes to my strengths in writing, I would say I am best at implementing good syntax, usage of varied vocabulary, and having strong analytical skills. 2. Report Priority 1: Rambling/Over-Complexity/Lengthiness Explanation of the Issue: In a lot of my writing there is always a consistent problem, my writing tends to be too complex and lengthy. This issue is most apparent in my Monster Synopsis where my passion for the subject overtook the main focus and priority of the assignment – to diagnose a fictional character with a psychological disorder according to DSM-V criteria. Passion enhances writing, making it more engaging, but excessive enthusiasm can shift focus away from the main purpose of a work. And it is something I would like to work on and eliminate from happening as often to have more polished writing. (Write a 100-word explanation of how this issue appears in your writing, patterns you noticed, and why you prioritized it.) Sources to Address This Issue: 1. https://library.guilford.edu/c.php?g=111810&p=1832540 - (Write a 2-sentence summary of its advice and how it helps): This source explicitly states ten strategies to reduce wordiness, including cutting redundancy, removing intensifiers, replacing verb phrases with single verbs, and using active voice. Since my writing tends to be excessively lengthy due to over-explanation and complex sentence structures, these strategies will help me be able to refine my work into a more polished and direct style. 2. https://www.fordham.edu/academics/academic-resources/writing-center/writingresources/logic-andrhetoric/wordiness/#:~:text=A%20sentence%20is%20too%20wordy,tenses%2C%20and %20choosing%20better%20adjectives - (Write a 2-sentence summary of its advice and how it helps): This source mentions a couple of things of note: wordiness comes from trying to sound professional or complex; A sentence is too wordy if it can be shortened without losing meaning. I am quite guilty of making both of these mistakes, it reinforces the idea that strong writing is something that gets to the point and is concise, without being excessively lengthy. Priority 2: Conciseness Explanation of the Issue: Conciseness is an area I struggle with because I tend to use more words than necessary to make a point. In my Monster Synopsis, I went on lengthy segments of thorough analysis, that while engaging, could have been greatly simplified. I desire to maintain a balance of complexity and conciseness in my writing, As my writing can strike that equal balance with some tweaks in my writing habits. Overall, my writing would greatly benefit from being more concise, as it would make my writing not only easier to read but also more engaging. Good writing is not only easy to read but is also artistic and full of personality, conciseness plays a crucial role in this aspect of writing. That is why being concise in writing is extremely important, no matter the context. (Write a 100-word explanation of how this issue appears in your writing, patterns you noticed, and why you prioritized it.) Sources to Address This Issue: 1. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conciseness-handout/ - (Write a 2sentence summary of its advice and how it helps): This source provides strategies to eliminate wordiness, such as removing redundant words, replacing weak verb phases, and cutting unnecessary qualifiers. These tips will help me refine my writing and make my arguments more concise. 2. https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/writing-clearly-concisely - (Write a 2-sentence summary of its advice and how it helps): This source explains how to write cleanly and concisely by eliminating unnecessary phrases, redundancies, and filler words. It also emphasizes using active voice, avoiding wordy sentence structures, and selecting precise words to enhance clarity and readability. Priority 3: Smoother Transitions Explanation of the Issue: I noticed that all 3 of the essays I picked for this assignment have unusually poor transitions and some usage of informal language (which highlights the costs of procrastination), and even in my more polished works, I do think I struggle with implementing smooth transitions. For example, in my Social Psychology Journal Review, there are many instances where paragraphs end abruptly, with no smooth or natural transition to maintain good flow throughout the work. If writing does not flow smoothly, it will confuse the reader (and possibly even yourself), which is why good transitions are a MUST in any form of writing. They ensure a piece of writing feels natural and has a clean flow, allowing for the most eloquent reading experience. I want to refine my transitions to strengthen my flow and style. I already do well with the main content of the body paragraphs, it is the transitions/beginnings of the paragraph I struggle the most with, and would like to work on and improve on. (Write a 100-word explanation of how this issue appears in your writing, patterns you noticed, and why you prioritized it.) Sources to Address This Issue: 1. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/transitions_and_transitio nal_devices/index.html - (Write a 2-sentence summary of its advice and how it helps): This guide explains how transitions connect paragraphs and create a logical flow in writing. It specifically highlights strategies like referencing key phrases from previous paragraphs and ensuring transitions are articulate, making writing more cohesive and structured. 2. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/ - (Write a 2-sentence summary of its advice and how it helps): This source/guide explains how transitions help create logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections, making writing clearer and overall more cohesive. It provides a list of effective transitional words and phrases while also emphasizing the importance of proper structuring of ideas in a way that naturally leads from one to the next.
