[Iloveleonardo]

So, I have really BAD grammar and it's affecting my story writing abilities. I love writing and I do have really good ideas but I can't get it across properly because I can't even write properly. How can I improve my grammar, punctuation and overall writing style, I already know reading is a huge factor so I got that down, but what else can improve it???
Thanks in advance

[skibur]

(Original post by Iloveleonardo)
So, I have really BAD grammar and it's affecting my story writing abilities. I love writing and I do have really good ideas but I can't get it across properly because I can't even write properly. How can I improve my grammar, punctuation and overall writing style, I already know reading is a huge factor so I got that down, but what else can improve it???
Thanks in advance

Read for a start

Edit: skim read that post, didnt see you already read

[phoenixflyhigh]

Try some online software or take classes, since you can not imorove on your own... you'll need someone to guide

[twinlensreflex]

Have you searched for any exercises or things online? I just put 'english grammar exercises' into google and it came up with loads... Or perhaps consider getting a tutor? Or a friend to mentor you?

[Publius]

Read, learn, and practice. Grammar is an art form: it takes time and practice to develop your own style, and to nourish it until your habits become engrained.

You should be reading what you write as you write it - so if you can read adequately you should be able to determine what sounds right and what does not.

[Weeves]

I know this is probably no help, but it's something to reassure you about I guess...
Anyway, often the best books are the worst written (grammatically)


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[DotComBoom]

OP, I was kind of the same as you, but I hated reading so I was in an even worse position but one day I just loved writing and literature.

I think the key thing was that I found an author who I just loved. I analysed and began to use their style so naturally my grammar, punctuation, vocab all improved.

I would say as well to try and read a quality newspaper a day, that is very important.

Good luck!

[phoenixflyhigh]

Hi,

I am sorry but I kinda disagree, you can not improve by copying someones style. You need to know the basics, else you'll make mistakes.

It's just my opinion.
All the best

[SKETCHit]

Read. Read, and read.
Oh, and write more. If you keep writing and thus practicing your skills, you'll undoubtedly find you have 'natural flair' and talent. I know it sounds cliched but it's true. Like someone said, grammar is an art form. But u have to develop your own style; and the only way to do this is by writing more and practicing.
Good luck.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Terence_A.]

The thing with grammar is that when you finally 'get it', it all seems so obvious, but when you're in the process of trying to understand the rules it's hard. Some things you should focus on:

- Learn how the use the apostrophe.
- Figure out correct sentence contruction: subject, object and verb (Many uni students don't).
- Main and subordinate clauses.
- And for Christ's sake! There is usually no need for a ';', but students love them . . .?
- One of the best tips for writing: Read everything you write, if it doesn't sound like it is written well, it isn't - writing should sound like formal speech.


People are saying, 'Read, read, read'. Actually, I would say 'Write, write, check'. The best form of practice is always application. If you try, you will succeed, but nobody is perfect so don't worry. Good luck!

We will make a G-Nazi of you yet!

[Publius]

Nothing wrong with the semi-colon if it's used correctly; though i do agree that it is probably the most abused of all punctuation marks.

[C_G]

Just read over your writing very carefully and try not to make grammar and punctuation too complex at first. Build it up, and slowly but surely you will get to where you want to be.

[Mr Einstein]

The best thing to remember about grammar is that it is essentially a collection of unwritten rules which are in perpetual change, don't be afraid to flaunt them occasionally. That is all part of the process.

Language evolves.

[Presenttime]

That's good that you love writing, therefore you must love reading too ? !

[Finbarr]

(Original post by Terence_A.)
- And for Christ's sake! There is usually no need for a ';', but students love them . . .?
- One of the best tips for writing: Read everything you write, if it doesn't sound like it is written well, it isn't - writing should sound like formal speech.

Really good and also not so good advice there. Semicolons can be sublime. Also, while you've written "if it doesn't sound...it isn't", and that's really good advice, then second bit "writing should sound like formal speech" is not the case. Formal writing should indeed sound like formal speech; yet, even that said, many, although by no means all, formal speakers sound extremely dull.

Writing should above all sound interesting, read interesting-ly. It should carry and convey enthusiasm and life, and make the reader want to read. Even so-called formal writing. Perhaps especially formal writing.

[Ra Ra Ra]

(Original post by Iloveleonardo)
So, I have really BAD grammar and it's affecting my story writing abilities. I love writing and I do have really good ideas but I can't get it across properly because I can't even write properly. How can I improve my grammar, punctuation and overall writing style, I already know reading is a huge factor so I got that down, but what else can improve it???
Thanks in advance

I have to ask...what do you read? Twilight, for example, has grammatical errors riddled throughout the series. It's not a good book to read at all. Reasoning With Vampires actually pulls out quotes from the Twilight novels and explains how they're grammatically incorrect (among other things), which has helped me a lot in improving how I write. You could always check that out (though it doesn't focus so much on grammar these days, so go back about a year and a half to find the good stuff).

http://reasoningwithvampires.tumblr.com/

[C_G]

Also, use this to check mistakes, and learn from them. Using it myself now for the first time, so I can't guarantee how good it is.

EDIT: It's ****.

[Olympiad]

When you're reading, try annotating some of the pages - it sounds so stupid but it will help trust me.
For example: "Lizzy, once a young, funny, lively girl. Her life changed, within a second..."

So you can annotate it by saying "young, funny, lively" -> use of three emphasis what her true personality was like, before the "major" event took place. We learn about her character through this.
The "..." creates suspense, causing you to read on. A long with this, the short concise sentence causes the reader to feel sorry for Lizzy, even though we don't know what the event is, yet.

By doing this, is will cause you to read and think beyond the words on the page, which is necessary in order to improve your grammar.