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MyCollegeSuccessStory.com:
The Top 15 Writing Flaws That Can Lead to Lower Grades
A review of the top 15 college student writing flaws that
can lead to lower grades, along with suggestions on how to fix
them and improve your writing.
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., and Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.
Writing is a major component of academic success. College students, regardless of
major, write a lot over the course of their studies. You'll write first-year English papers,
lab reports, history papers, term reports, case studies, and more. Writing is a major
component of many college classes, and the better you can write, the better your grades.
How can you write better? By reviewing the most common writing mistakes made
by college students -- and learning how to avoid them in your writing.
To assist you in avoiding these flaws in your writing, here are the top 15 writing flaws that
can lead to lower grades. Take note of these flaws and take the time to fix them on
all your written projects that you complete in the future.
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Poor Organization
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Failure to Support Thesis
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Misspellings and Typos
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Inadequate Citation of Your Sources
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Confusing Sentence Structure
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Using Sentence Fragments and Run-On Sentences
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Incorrect Word Usage
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Little Evidence of Research
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Little Evidence of Understanding Topic
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Poor Punctuation
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Poor or Nonexistent Transitions
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Vague Pronoun Reference
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Overuse of Passive Voice
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Weak Vocabulary or Overuse of Jargon/Buzzwords
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Using Patterns of Speech in Writing
Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information
(definitions and links) on key academic terms by going to our
College Success Glossary. [Coming soon!]
Dr. Randall S. Hansen, CEO of EmpoweringSites.com, has been empowering people his
entire adult life -- to help them better their lives. In fact, empowerment is part of his professional
philosophy statement. He is also founder of
Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most
comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well as founder of
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press
as well as a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds
of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts
empowering workshops around the country. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the
college level for more than 15 years.
Dr. Katharine Hansen, Creative Director of EmpoweringSites.com,
is a former speechwriter and college instructor who provides content for several of our sites, including
Quintessential Careers,
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com, and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. She also edits
QuintZine, an electronic newsletter for job-seekers,
career counselors, and students. She is author of Dynamic Cover Letter for New Graduates; A Foot in the Door: Networking Your
Way into the Hidden Job Market; and, with Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., Dynamic Cover Letters
and Write Your Way to a Higher GPA, all published by Ten Speed Press.
She can be reached by e-mail at kathy@quintcareers.com.
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