Words and sentences

We talk and write in ideas.

We have to convey those ideas to listeners or readers.

We use words to express ideas and we group words into structures to make sense.

• Essays are a collection of ideas linked together, which combine chapters to cover a subject.

• Each of these chapters will be argued and supported by examples towards a conclusion.

• Within each chapter or section will be coverage of an aspect or topic of the subject.

• Each topic is formed as a set of paragraphs.

• Paragraphs are made up of thematic groups of sentences on a similar idea or a progression of an idea towards a conclusion.

• Each sentence conveys one idea.

• Each sentence is terminated with a full stop.

• Sentences need a verb and a subject and an object.

Let's colour code that

Let's take an example that is closer to what we are talking about with your essays:

Let's colour code the nouns. Kirchner is a noun since it's his name. Paintings are nouns since they are objects.

Now, let's colour code the verbs as well (verbs are actions words or 'doing words')

Now, let's colour code the adjectives too (adjectives describe nouns - like 'red' in 'the red hat'. What kind of hat? A red one.)

Now, let's colour code the adverbs as well (adverbs describe verbs - like 'slowly' in 'He read the book slowly'. How did he read? 'Slowly'.)

Now, let's add all the parts in brackets to the colour coding

• Sentences should contain a verb an object and a subject

• Shorter sentences are better

• Better sentences convey one idea

• Longer sentences can get confusing or lose the line of the argument

Either of these two versions will do since the ideas are so short. Although there are two ideas: he paints exciting paintings and he also does so quickly. But, they are not long, drawn out or difficult to remember at the same time. The second idea is connected to the first.

Let's compare that to this:

Let's try that in the online editor at http://www.hemingwayapp.com/

The first version is almost completely red. That means that it is difficult, complex and confusing as a piece of writing. It is very hard to read.

The second version is almost completely white but, it has an adverb which makes the writing less punchy and succinct. It makes the writing weaker and is colour coded blue.

The third version omits the sentence with the adverb in it completely (it is a redundant repetition and is unnecessary). Now this last version reads best of all.

• Write a draft in Google Docs

• Keep it short and simple. One idea, one sentence.

• Go back through your writing and look for 'and'.

• Can you replace any 'and' you find with a full stop and capital letter (make two sentences)?

• Copy a paragraph into Hemmingwayapp.

• Work with it until you get rid of all red and yellow coloured text.

• Then try to get rid of any blue adverbs or green passive voiced text - don't worry too much about these. If you get rid of all the red, that is usually enough.