The rules of Grammar

Grammar is the structural backbone of any language. From constructing sentence forms to
expressing ideas clearly, grammar rules guide writers, speakers, authors, and more to not only
scribble words on a piece of paper but also add a sense of understanding and emotion.
Applying these rules accurately is also critical to effective communication. While English
grammar rules might seem straightforward (especially compared to other languages), minor
mistakes dramatically alter the meaning of writing. Misusing a comma or tense can blur your
narrative, causing confusion and misunderstanding. That's why grammar mastery isn't just
pedantic –– rather, acing the basic structure of a sentence and beyond maintains the integrity
of your message. A tool to be sharpened, correct grammar communicates with your readers
effectively. In freelance writing, your words are your currency, and grammar is the mint certifying
their value.

Whether you write, copy edit, or proofread, grammar takes the writer, editor, and reader to the
shared destination. These linguistic signposts are even more critical for independent writers, as
they have to build their own credibility among prospective clients. Master the following 12
grammar rules to help your writing achieve maximum impact:

What are the rules of grammar?

Whether you write, copy edit, or proofread, grammar takes the writer, editor, and reader to the
shared destination. These linguistic signposts are even more critical for independent writers, as
they have to build their own credibility among prospective clients. Master the following 12
grammar rules to help your writing achieve maximum impact:

1- Subject and verb agreement: In English sentences, subjects and verbs must be in sync. When
they agree in number, sentences flow with a natural rhythm, establishing logical coherence. For
example, this grammar rule is why we write "The dog chases its tail" (singular subject, singular
verb) and not "The dog chase its tail" (singular subject, plural verb). And don’t get confused with
the "s" at the end of the verb –– adding the "s" doesn’t make it plural.

2- Adjectives and adverbs

Artists of language, adjectives and adverbs add vivid details to narratives. Adjectives describe
qualities of objects, people, and places (nouns), while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and
other adverbs. In the phrase "The quick brown fox," the adjective "brown" describes the fox. In
the phrase "He runs swiftly," the adverb “swiftly” modifies the verb "runs."
3- Punctuation

When considering grammar rules, how to use commas and other punctuation marks correctly is
a hot topic. Punctuation (like a comma, semicolon, and period) signals when to pause and stop
— much like traffic lights — and can steer readers off course when misused. For example, "Let's
eat, Grandma" reads much differently than "Let's eat Grandma," and the only difference is a
comma.

4- Sentence structure

A well-structured sentence is like a well-constructed bridge — it carries the reader from one idea
to another. Typical sentence structure is a subject, verb, and object, and following this is an
excellent way to increase your writing fluency. For example, "John (subject) scrolls (verb) the
smartphone (object)."

5- Verb conjugations and tenses

In the English language, verbs conjugate according to tense, such as the present perfect tense.
Like placing markers on your narrative's timeline, correctly adding verb tense avoids disorienting
mistakes that disrupt writing's flow and logic. For instance, using "She danced" (past tense)
rather than "She dances" for a past event.

6- Quantifiers

Quantifiers are words or phrases placed before nouns to indicate quantity. Using quantifiers
correctly adds precision to writing. For example, "Many freelancers" or "A few computers" paints
a clearer picture than simply "freelancers" or "computers."

7- Active voice

Active voice casts your subject as the doer of the action in a sentence. It creates dynamic,
engaging sentences, making your writing more effective. For example, "The designer created
the web page" (active voice) is more precise and direct than "The web page was created by the
designer" (passive voice).

8- Correct article usage

The words "a," "an," and "the" — called articles — play a significant role in writing. Using articles
correctly determines whether you're referring to something specific or generic, enhancing your
piece’s clarity. For example, when you say, "I saw a laptop in the breakroom," the reader is
unsure which laptop you're referring to. If you say, "I saw the laptop in the breakroom," it's clear
that you're referring to a specific machine.

9- Correct preposition usage

Prepositions connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other sentence parts. They provide details
regarding direction, location, time, or manner, and using them properly adds valuable complexity
to all types of writing. For example, saying "The report is on the desk" clearly shows the report's
location. Saying "The report is in the desk," misusing the preposition, is quite confusing.

10- Proper use of modal verbs

"Could," "should," "might," and "must" are modal verbs conveying necessity, possibility,
permission, or ability. Using them accurately adds depth to the writing and communicates your
meaning accurately. For example, "You must shut the computer down now" conveys a sense of
urgency.

11- Homophonic words

Homophones are words that sound exactly like other words but have their own unique meaning
and, in some cases, spelling. Popular examples include "there," "their," and "they're," "break" and
"brake," and "course" and "coarse." Recognizing and using these linguistic doppelgängers
correctly boosts the clarity of writing.

12- Double negative

Did you know that two negatives in a sentence often create a positive? This can be confusing,
which is why we recommend avoiding double negatives. For example, swapping "I don't need no
help" for "I don't need any help" accurately communicates that you don't actually need help.

How to write good Essay

Essay writing can be divided into three main parts:

i.Introduction

The writer introduces the topic/subject in few sentences organised into a paragraph

which may contain general statement, question, definition or specific explanation.

Introductory part must be catchy to capture the attention of the readers.

ii. Body

This aspect should consist of more sentences arranged into paragraphs. Every

relevant point must be arranged in single paragraph with detailed explanation. A

topic sentence (conveying the main idea of the paragraph) may be written in the

introductory part, middle or concluding part of each paragraph.

iii. Conclusion

The conclusion expresses the summary, re-statement or emphasizes basic

information or ideas in a piece of writing. Conclusion can also include

recommendations and suggestions for future research or direction of a discourse.

Paragraph Development

A paragraph is a unit of expression. It consists of sentences expressing relevant ideas or

information about a subject or topic. A good paragraph must possess three basic features:

Unity: Every paragraph must comprise of sentences discussing same idea, information or

subject. To enhance unity the rule is one topic or subject should be discussed in each

paragraph. An introduction of another subject destroys the unity of a paragraph. The use

of topic sentence promotes unity in a paragraph. It is both restrictive and precise by

discussing a single subject and at the same time, providing information on the writer’s

intention about the topic. For example, the paragraph below illustrates the use of a single idea:

The Locust

The locust is a species of grasshopper. Locusts are found in all

continents of the world except Antarctica. In Africa, there are ten

species of locusts. They are very common in tropical areas, except

where it is wet. Locusts live in two forms or phases as they are

called: the solitary phase, and the gregarious phase. In the solitary

phase, they live alone like any other grasshopper, and cause little

damage. But if their numbers increase, they can become swarms big

enough to darken the sky, and they are very dangerous.

Compare the above with:

The locust is a species of grasshopper. Locusts are found in all continents of the world except
Antarctica. In Africa, there are ten species of locusts. They are very common in tropical areas,
except where it is wet. Bees are also very dangerous and they can, as they

are said to have done before, wipe off a generation of farmers.

Locusts live in two forms or phases as they are called: the solitary

phase, and the gregarious phase. In the solitary, they live alone like any other grasshopper, and
cause little swarms big enough to darken the sky, and they are very dangerous.

Transitional phrases/words/devices

To achieve coherence in paragraph development, transitional words/phrases are employed.

Sentences are linked together through the use of transitional words to form a paragraph

and to link one paragraph to another. Linking words are also used to put ideas together and

properly connect parts of a sentence. Their uses establish coherence in a piece of writing.

For example, because, as if, for, as, though, since, for the purpose, as though, are used to

indicate relationship of causes or reason(s). Moreover, also, at the same time, in the same

vein, show a relationship of addition.

Types of Letter-writing

There are three types of letters: formal, semi-formal and informal.

Formal writing - application for job placements, invitation letters, report writing,

articles for publication, letters to the Editor. etc

Semi-formal – articles or letters to acquaintances or distant relations.

Informal letter – letters to parents, friends, family members.

Note: Basic differences between the three types of letter are reflected under organization,

opening/salutation, body, conclusion and closing.

Types of Essay Writing

A consideration of the content of writing relates significantly to types. There are five

types of essay/ composition. These are:

1. Definitive Writing

This is a type of writing which provides meaning(s) of words, phrases or sentences

used in a piece of work/work of art. It defines clearly technical/specialised terms for

reader(s) to understand. A good definition must contain:

a concept

the use of article a/an/the

a class/device

feature of the concept e.g.

A square is a figure which has four equal sides and four right angles.

An atom is the smallest piece which has the same qualities and can combine with other
substances.
2. Descriptive Writing

A good descriptive piece create precise mental picture of events. It is imaginative and it
appeals to the intellect of the reader.

To write a good description: Provides accurate details related to the topic/subject matter.

Presents ideas/information/facts that are verifiable objective not points coloured by

author’s feelings.

Arranges ideas or events as they occur chronologically.

Uses present passive verb forms e.g. are made, are refined, are established, are

formed, etc

Uses sequence markers/linking.

3. Narrative Writing

A narrative piece provides an account of events or story in chronological order. It is

interesting and close to reality. A good narrative piece uses apt descriptions and

expositions.
 It uses transitional devices for proper sentence and paragraph development.

It is commonly used in prose writing (fiction).

It creates vivid, clear, accurate and imaginative writing. E.g. Abimbola Lagunju’s Days

of Illusions gives lucid and vivid description of events and story line.

The simple past tense is used (e.g. failed, opted, ended, wanted and prepared, etc).

The active form of a verb is mostly used.

4. Argumentative Writing

It is based on intelligent and clear/logical reasoning to influence/convince the

reader.

It presents balanced views on the two sides to an argument.

It advances logical reasons in favour (support) or against a topic with supporting

evidences leading to meaningful conclusion.

 It considers advantages and disadvantages of an idea.

It evaluates action through comparison and contrast.

It is concerned with honest presentation of facts and arguments for a proposition or

opposition.

Note: There are certain pitfalls to avoid in argumentative piece. These include;

tautology, - unnecessary repetition; over simplification which may lead to distortion

of facts; false comparison; attack on personality rather than ideas; over/sweeping

generalization.

Writing Instructions

It gives direction about a particular thing. It can also give information on how to carry out a

task or gives a recipe on how to cook a particular meal, how to bake etc.

The instruction /direction must be clear and concise

Use time linkers such as first, then, next, after, etc.

Writing Instructions

It gives direction about a particular thing. It can also give information on how to carry out a

task or gives a recipe on how to cook a particular meal, how to bake etc.

The instruction /direction must be clear and concise

Use time linkers such as first, then, next, after, etc.

Use the imperative form.

Include only information needed.

Use simple language.

Do not use subject pronouns e.g. you

Report Writing

Gives accounts of events, investigations, research and incidents.

It requires effective communication.

Simplicity and coherence are its focus.

Types of Report Writing

Eye witness accounts to the police, report of burglar or fire incident.

Work reports, may be progress, final or one-time report. Investigative reports are

divided into technical and non- technical reports. Under technical type, we have (1)

Laboratory report and (2) Project report e.g. Dissertation or Thesis writing, while

term paper is a type of non-technical report.

Features of Report Writing

Introduction gives the background of the topic, aims and objectives of the report,

limitations of study, methodology and arrangement of topics/chapters in the report.

Body contains sections and sub-sections of materials gathered and organized to

support the writer’s point of view. Transitional devices are used to connect

sentences and paragraphs together.

Recommendations are the writer’s suggestions based on observations made on the field or in
the laboratory.
 Conclusion - brief summary of the report stating the main points of the findings.

Contents of Report writing

Term paper

Preliminaries

Title page

Dedication page

Table of contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Abstract

Body

Introduction

Background
 Body of the work divided into chapters.

Ending Part

Conclusion

Bibliography/References

Appendices.

LABORATORY REPORT

Preliminaries

Title page

Table of contents

Abstract

Body

Introduction, Background, materials, Results, Discussion.

 Ending Part -Conclusion, References.

Project Report

Preliminaries -Title, Dedication, Table of contents, Acknowledgements, Preface,

Abstract.

Body -Introduction, Body divided into chapters, sections and sub-sections.

Ending Part -Recommendation, Conclusion, Bibliography/ References, Appendices.

Article Writing

An article writing is a kind of writing that is written to reach a massive audience with the help of
the press. In the case of article writing, the press refers to publishing houses of newspapers,
magazines, journals, etc. Writing a newspaper article, or writing a magazine article is not easy. It
requires a lot of research and writing skills. It is written in such a way that it can inform the
masses about a certain topic. The main aim of the writer here is to bring some difference in the
world by changing the views of the people through article writing.

Tips for Article Writing

1. Understand your topic For any given topic, you shall first be able to understand it clearly. You
should be able to draw related inferences for everything that comes to your mind. Usually, in this
step, your brain is flooded with a lot of thoughts and your job is to be able to identify and filter
them based on your requirements. Attempting such questions without planning is never a good
idea because your content will not be organised unless you organise the flow of the content.
Hence, the best way before getting started with such questions is to make sure that you have a
clearer picture of what the question is asking you and this way, you will be able to deliver
captivating content.

2. Prepare an outline Before starting the writing part, one should arrange the pointers in the
correct sequence. It should be a logical sequence keeping in mind the objectives. Cross-
checking each point whether it is relevant and needed to complete the content is again another
point to be considered. Preparation of an outline is important as well as useful as it helps us
know what to do next and how much is left. You should be careful while preparing an outline as
it should contain all the topics and that too in the correct sequence.

3. Review and make relevant changes

Revisiting all the points by reading them again is one of the important tasks for a well-written
part. While revisiting you might come across some of the content which is not required, so one
should leave the unnecessary points so that the important points come first in the sequence
and others follow.

4. Write it

Now after keeping all the above-mentioned things in mind, start writing. With a strong and
relevant introduction one should start, followed by the correct sequence of the points adding a
necessary explanation. To the point information without unnecessary elaboration always adds
perfection to content.

5. Edit and proofread

Last but not the least, an important aspect to be considered is proofreading. Before the final
submission of content, you should go through the complete content once more. Again edit the
unnecessary ones and complete them. After completing the entire process your content is
ready.Other important tips that can be used to produce a good piece of writing content are
mentioned below. Students shall consider referring to them whenever they plan to conquer
questions of such kinds.

- Keep the list of your ideas handy as it will help you to organize your content accurately.

- Make sure that you are sitting in a distraction-free environment so that your mind is able to
focus and concentrate better.

- One of the most important attributes of a good writer is being able to research well. When you
research, you get to read more and this way there are a lot of new ideas that come to your mind.

- Ensure that your content is simple. It means that you should avoid too fancy words because
otherwise, your content would lose the relatability factor.

- You shall also focus on making your content presentable. Adding bullet points or writing in
small paragraphs might be a beneficial tip.

- Adding keywords to your content is a game-changer. When you optimize your content, its value
increases subsequently.

- Lastly, be precise and let your content be captivating enough for the reader.

Difference between Denotative and Connotative use of Words.

A word’s denotation is its plain and direct meaning—its explicit meaning. A word’s connotation
is what the word implies—that is, the nuances and shades of meaning that the word carries with
it. The denotation of the word aroma is basically “smell”: the characteristic of something you
perceive with your nose. But the word’s connotation is typically “a pleasant and pervasive
smell.” People tend to apply the word aroma to coffee, for example, only if they like the smell.

A word’s denotation is its plain and direct meaning or meanings. It’s what the word explicitly
means—that is, what is fully and clearly expressed by a word.

A word’s connotation is what the word implies or suggests; that is, the nuances and shades of
meaning that the word brings along with it, apart from what it explicitly names or describes.

Take the noun aroma. The denotation of aroma in “the aroma of coffee” is basically “smell”: the
characteristic of something you perceive with your nose. But the connotation of aroma is
typically “a pleasant and pervasive smell.” People generally apply the word aroma to coffee only
if they like the smell.

Sometimes words that look similar and share a denotation have strikingly different
connotations. Consider childlike and childish. Both have a basic denotation of “resembling a
child.” But where childlike has connotations of innocence, trust, simplicity, and candidness,
childish has connotations of immaturity and lack of poise. Describing an adult as “childlike” is
very different from describing that person as “childish.”

Lots of words have connotations that are so consistent and common that they are included in
the dictionary definition of the word as secondary meanings. Our definition of childlike adds
“especially: marked by innocence, trust, and ingenuousness,” and our definition of childish
includes “marked by or suggestive of immaturity and lack of poise.” That’s why we say a
denotation isn’t a word’s dictionary definition, but a word’s primary meaning. Note: a word's
connotations may not be commonly held; sometimes a word will have a particular connotation
only for a group of people, for a family, or even for a single person.

English has very few word pairs that are exact synonyms because connotations develop and
then push the words’ primary meanings—their denotations—apart. Hundreds of years ago,
mansion and house could both be used for any kind of residence. But eventually mansion took
on the connotation of “big and fancy house” (we actually define it as “a large imposing
residence”) and eventually that became its denotation too. (The curious among you may be
interested to know that the Norman Conquest of a thousand years ago is to blame for this and
many other pairs.)

In writing, you can choose a word that has a clear denotation and few connotations—a word like
tall or quiet—or you can choose a word that connotes something more—like statuesque or
tranquil. Your druthers, your choice, your connotations.

Techniques of Comprehension
Comprehension is an important aspect of reading. When you read, strive to understand and
extract meaning for better overall awareness of what you are reading. By learning and
implementing reading strategies and changing how you read, you can improve your reading
comprehension abilities and make reading easier and more enjoyable.

Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is the ability to comprehend or understand, what you are reading. This
is an intentional and active part of reading and takes place before, during and after you read
something. By being able to comprehend what you are reading, you can extract meaning from
the text and better realize what the author is trying to convey.

There are two components of reading comprehension: text comprehension and vocabulary
knowledge. Vocabulary knowledge is the ability to understand the language being used, while
text comprehension is using this language to develop an awareness of what the meaning is
behind the text.

Why are reading comprehension skills important?

Reading comprehension is important for several reasons and can provide many benefits. Being
able to effectively read can improve both your personal and professional life and can increase
your overall enjoyment of reading. Knowing how to understand a text can help boost your
knowledge in certain areas and help you learn new skills and information faster.

- Additional benefits of good reading comprehension skills include:

- Being able to understand, analyze and respond to documents and written communication in
the workplace

- Improved your ability to write clearly and effectively

- The ability to comprehend and engage in current events that are in written form such as
newspapers

- Increased ability to focus on reading for an extended period

- Better enjoyment of and motivation to read.

7 strategies to improve your reading comprehension skills

There are several reading strategies that you can begin implementing today to improve your
reading comprehension skills. The more you practice, the better you will become at
understanding what you are reading. The following are seven simple strategies you can use to
work on your comprehension skills:

1. Improve your vocabulary Knowing what the words you are reading mean can improve your
ability to comprehend the meaning of the text. To improve your vocabulary, you can:
Take an online vocabulary quiz to assess your current level of vocabulary understanding

Use flashcards to quiz yourself on words you don’t know once or twice a week

Make a point to use newly learned words in verbal and written communication

Read as much as possible to improve your ability to guess what a word means in a certain
context

Make a list of unfamiliar words as you read and look them up in the dictionary.

2. Come up with questions about the text you are reading

Asking questions about what you are reading can help improve your reading comprehension by
allowing you to become invested in the text. It can also broaden your overall understanding of
what you are reading by enabling you to explore themes, motifs and other components of text
that you otherwise wouldn’t inquire about. The following are examples of questions you could
pose as you read:

Why did the author begin the book at that location?

What kind of relationship do these two characters share?

What do we know about the main character up to this point in the book?

Are there any themes that have consistently come up throughout the book? If so, what do they
mean?

The more specific your questions, the more likely you will gain further insight into the text and
its meaning.

3. Use context clues

Using context clues is a great way to understand what you are reading even if you don’t know all
the vocabulary being used. Context clues can be found in the words and sentences surrounding
the word that you aren’t familiar with. To use context clues, you can focus on the key phrases or
ideas in a sentence and deduce the main idea of a sentence or paragraph based on this
information. You can also look for nearby words that are synonyms or antonyms of the word
you don’t know.

4. Look for the main idea

Identifying the main idea of a paragraph or article can help you determine the importance of the
article. Understanding why what you’re reading is important can give you a better
comprehension of what the author is trying to convey. When reading, pause every few
paragraphs and see if you can decipher what the main idea is. Then, try to put the main idea in
your own words for even further understanding.
5. Write a summary of what you read

A great way to increase your knowledge of what you have read is to write a summary.
Summarizing requires you to decide what is important in the text and then put it in your own
words. Summarizing allows you to determine if you truly understand what you have read and
better remember what you have read in the long term.

6. Break up the reading into smaller sections

If you are reading longer or more challenging text, consider breaking it up into smaller sections.
For example, you could read two paragraphs at a time and then pause to quickly summarize
what you just read in your mind. Breaking up what you are reading can help you feel less
overwhelmed and give you a better chance of truly comprehending the information in the text.

7. Pace yourself

Pacing yourself is also an effective way to work on your reading comprehension skills by
allowing you to set realistic goals for your reading practice and habits. This is especially true for
books or other literature that you find challenging. Set a goal for yourself that you know you can
meet each day. For example, rather than saying that you want to read an entire book in two days,
say that you will read three chapters a night. This allows you to reach your goals and also
provides adequate time for you to process what you are reading between each session.

Tips to make the most of your reading comprehension practice

Reading is a fundamental part of everyday life. The more you incorporate and prioritize reading
and understanding what you read, the better your overall reading comprehension will become.
These tips can help you make the most of your time when practicing your reading skills.

- Eliminate distractions

When you are distracted, your ability to comprehend what you are reading is negatively
impacted. When reading—even if it’s a simple email—eliminate distractions and focus solely on
the text. This will help you learn to hold your attention to what you read and enable you to know
whether you understand what you are reading.

Read a book below your reading level

Starting with books below your reading level will allow you to develop a baseline of your reading
comprehension and build on that. Instead of starting with books or other text that you find
challenging, read something that is comfortable and that you can easily comprehend. You can
take an online quiz to establish the reading level you are currently at.

- Re-read text to ensure understanding

If you finish a sentence or paragraph and realize that you don’t understand what it was trying to
convey, take the time to re-read it until you do. Try to read more slowly the second time around
and look up definitions for any words you don’t know the meaning of.

- Read aloud

Reading aloud incorporates both visual and audio learning into your reading comprehension
practice. It also forces you to slow down and gives you more time to process what you are
reading.

SUMMARY WRITING

When you write a summary, you are demonstrating your understanding of the text and
communicating it to your reader. To summarize is to condense a text to its main points and to
do so in your own words. To include every detail is neither necessary nor desirable.

How to write a summary

Here are steps you can follow to help you write more effective summaries:

1. Read the text thoroughly

Read the text several times to ensure you understand everything about the author's message.
On the first read, focus simply on reading instead of pausing to take notes. Try to identify the
purpose, the supporting argument and any additional details. When you read the text the second
time, you can make comments in a notebook or in the margins of the text if you have a physical
copy.

2. Take notes to identify the main idea

Write the main points, themes or thesis you recognize in the text. To identify this concept, try to
determine the tone and category of the text. For example, it may be a literary essay or a
scientific article. Next, try to find any repetitions in the text. If the author repeats some specific
arguments throughout the text, it means they likely are essential. Reading the title and
determining the publication place and date can help you learn more about the intended audience.

3. Identify the main arguments

Reread the text more carefully to find elements that support those main points. For example,
you can look for repetitions, details referring to the title or descriptions of characters. Here are
tips for identifying important arguments in an article:

Print a paper copy or use a digital version that allows you to take notes.

Look for the sentence that tells the main concept in each paragraph and underline it.

After you finish reading the entire article, read the topic sentences you underlined.
4. Prepare your draft

Rephrase those sentences on the side of the page or in your notebook. When you note these
elements, consider writing them in your own words and leave out any unimportant details. Write
down the author's first and last name and the title of the article for later reference.

5. Write the summary

You can start your summary with the author's name and the title of the text. For example, you
can use some variation of, "According to Martin Somers in 'The Child and the Wolf,'" to introduce
your text. Then, include the thesis of the author in your first sentence. Ideally, your first sentence
summarizes the text, while the rest of your summary restates the main concepts that support
the thesis. It’s essential to use your own words and paraphrase these ideas. Try to make your
summary as concise as possible by avoiding examples of unrelated facts.

6. Quote the author

Quoting a specific passage from the author may be one of the best ways to explain their main
point. If the author has a credential, such as a position of power or a relevant award, you can
mention it to help demonstrate the authority of the text. For example, you can say something
like, "In his lecture about inflation, Polders, a professor in economics at the Southern University,"
to introduce the author and make the claim that comes next to sound more reputable.

7. Conclude the summary

Restate the author's conclusion or last main point to end your summary. Even though a
summary is a short text, restating the most important part can help ensure your audience
understands what you’re trying to convey. If this summary is for a professional presentation,
consider listing the most important piece of data in the summary to help the audience
remember it.

8. Correct and refine

Once you complete your summary, consider reading it out loud and make any necessary
corrections. Delete any repetition, and try to transition words when necessary to help every
sentence flow to the next. Also, check your grammar and spelling to ensure your summary
doesn’t have errors. You can have a friend or colleague read your summary to help notice any
corrections you may have missed.

Examples of a summary

Here are two examples that can help you craft your own summary:

Example 1

"In 'The Global Warming Threat,' Mark Thunen, a professor at the Central University of Norway,
claims global warming is becoming a severe issue. Thunen supports this view by pointing out
that natural disasters, like floods and wildfires, have become more frequent and disastrous than
before. He notes that the statistics from meteorological institutes and scientific evidence
support his claim. In conclusion, Thunen points out that it’s time for humans to take action."

Example 2

"According to Natasha Benton in her article 'Teens and Social Media,' social media could be the
source of lower self-esteem and anxiety. Benton, a clinical psychologist and author of
'Disconnect,' uses evidence from a recent survey conducted by the English mental health
institute to support her case. She suggests that teens spending extended time on social media
platforms are more subject to depression. In addition, Benton invites parents to reduce their
children's screen time and expose them to real social interactions."

THE PRINCIPLES OF CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence writing is a written exchange of messages between two parties. Letters, emails,
memos, and other written correspondence used to share information, express ideas, or build
relationships are examples of this. It may be used for either personal or professional reasons,
and it may be formal or informal.

Who uses correspondence writing?

Individuals and organizations utilize correspondence writing to communicate with one another
via letters, emails, and other written forms of communication. This encompasses interactions
between organizations and their clients, consumers, and suppliers as well as those between
people and their friends, family, and the government.

Why use correspondence writing?

Correspondence writing is a useful tool for maintaining clear, effective, and professional
communication with people. It enables meticulous message planning and gives a permanent
record of the communication. Additionally, it can be used to establish and uphold connections,
foster trust, communicate crucial information, and put forth requests. Additionally, formal
contexts where a written record of the discussion is crucial, like legal and governmental
documentation, frequently use correspondence writing.

How to write a correspondence letter?

Here are the stages to writing a letter of correspondence:

1. Determine the letter’s objective: Clearly state why you are writing the letter, whether it is to
seek something, give information, show your appreciation, or voice a concern.

2. assemble the information you need: Make sure the letter contains all the necessary details,
including names, addresses, dates, and any other information pertinent to the letter’s purpose.

3. Pick the appropriate format: Decide whether your letter should be written in a formal business
letter, a warm personal letter, or a semi-formal letter.

4. Greetings to the recipient: Name and address of the addressee should come first. If the
recipient’s name is unknown to you, you can use a nonspecific salutation such as “Dear
Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”.

5. Begin with a formal greeting: Salute people properly and professionally by using “Dear
[Name]” or “Hello [Name]”.

6. Write the letter’s body as follows: Indicate the letter’s objective succinctly, and include any
pertinent details. For the kind of letter you’re writing, choose language and a tone that are
acceptable.

7. Close the letter with a phrase like “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Yours faithfully,” then sign
your name in print.Proofread and modify the letter before sending it to ensure that there are no
grammatical, spelling, or other issues.

Note: Depending on the particular circumstance and letter type, the format and content of a
communication letter may change.