Here are some common errors you have been making in your journals, blog entries and essays. You need to make a concerted effort to avoid them. If I see them again in your work I will hit you on the head with a mallet!!!
1) NO contracted forms
don't, won't, shouldn't, can't etc are all used in speech, NOT writing. Use do not, will not, should not and cannot. Some of you are confused over cannot (impossible) and can (modal form) not
Here is a link to help you clear it up. http://www.alexfiles.com/cannot.shtml
2) Avoid the pronouns "you", "we" and "us"
It makes your essay sound subjective and generalised. Instead use terms like an SM3 student, the reader, the viewer, the user or the customer.
3) Do not moralise in essays and give advice.
Make arguments and provide evidence to prove its validity. http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html
By the way if you are confused over advise/ advice, click this link http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html
More problem words
http://www.eslprintables.com/printable.asp?id=209341
4) Try to learn English expressions to replace Chinese ones.
For example. A colourful life (Chinese) an interesting life with varied experiences and exciting possibilities.
See link for tests you can take to see how many translated expressions you use.
http://www.english-test.net/esl/common-errors-in-english-usage.html
5) Punctuation mistakes
Don't use commas to replace fullstops.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm
Make sure you write sentences, not phrases. Each sentence has a verb.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/fragments.htm
Use English punctuation marks
http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/dialogue.shtml
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a mallet is much more scary than a water bottle. So it seems that we had better follow the instructions or we will have to go to class with helmets!
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