Using Patterns of Speech in Writing. One of the problems with the multiple ways people can communicate with each other is when some of the shortcuts or patterns of communicating (talking, emailing, texting, iming) accidentally find their way into our writing. Writing takes a more formal tone and demeanor -- and by that we don't mean stuffy or dull, just not full of slang or colloquialisms. Writing will always be a more formal way of communicating than talking. Another type of speech that has invaded writing is the use of clichés (similar to jargon), such as: at the end of the day, this day and age, in today's society, in a nutshell, facts of life, cut and dry, calm before the storm, in the nick of time, writing on the wall, it came as no surprise, as luck would have it, scratched the surface, benefit of the doubt, under the gun, cream of the crop, one fell swoop, unvarnished truth. Even worse? Using the wrong words in an attempt to write a common cliché. For example, one of our students meant to use the cliché, dog-eat-dog world, and instead wrote it as a doggie-dog-world. Back to the main page of The Top 15 Writing Flaws That Can Lead to Lower Grades Looking for more writing assistance? Go to our sister site, EnhanceMyWriting.com: Indispensable Writing Resources.
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!]
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Dr. Randall S. Hansen, CEO of 
Dr. Katharine Hansen, Creative Director of 
