Skills Sheet

Name ______________________

Date _______________________

Class ______________________

Hone your writing style with the following tips. Look at the options after each tip. Decide which one is best and why.

BE CLEAR AND CONCISE
Say things clearly and simply. Don't try to use fancy words or complicated language.

Option 1

The Governor ignored the Vice President's proposal.

Option 2

The Vice President's proposal was not considered by the Governor.

USE AN ACTIVE VOICE
Use strong verbs and an active voice.

Option 1

The Governor ignored the Vice President's proposal.

Option 2

The Vice President's proposal was not considered by the Governor.

BE SPECIFIC
The more specific you are, the better.

Option 1

Gore promised to allot $115 billion to public education over the next 10 years.

Option 2

Gore wants to spend a lot of money on education reform over the next several years.

BE FAIR
Present opinions from both sides, but not your own. When you express your own opinion, you're writing an editorial, not a news story.

Option 1

I think the Vice President's health-care plan is too vague.

Option 2

The Governor rejected the Vice President's health-care plan as "too vague."