Comments on: How to use Deliberate Practice when writing – part 3

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 20:55:00 +0000

In reply to Patricia. Thanks for this thoughtful solution, Patricia!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 20:23:00 +0000

You mentioned searching for “it” can bring up words where “it” is part of a word. Instead, you could search for ” it ” (space bar it space bar). When I scanned my document for “it” 518 instances came up, but when I added the spaces to the search, I only had to trawl through 108.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:45:00 +0000

In reply to MP UPPAL. Thanks for your kind words!

By: MP UPPAL

MP UPPAL — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Hi Daphne, Your three part write ups contain excellent tips.These are sort of reminders to better writing skills. Your cogent style mesmerizes.Thanks a lot.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:56:00 +0000

In reply to Deborah. Deborah, I imagine you're getting your students to read a lot. That surely has to be one of the best ways to build vocabulary. Glad you found the tip re: verbs useful and the links to explanations about passive. I just learned this week (thanks to one of my daughter's anthropology textbooks) that the amount of passive varies with different languages. For example, Japanese and Spanish apparently use a lot of passive. I didn't know this! Might help you with your ESL classes.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:53:00 +0000

In reply to Dianne Swaim. Thanks for your kind words, Dianne. So many people have helped me over the years I figure it's my turn to help pay back some of that effort!!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:52:00 +0000

In reply to Subha. So glad you enjoyed it, Subha!

By: Subha

Subha — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:47:00 +0000

Really good 3-part series. Makes me think that they apply to all our endeavors – not just writing. Fully agree with Dianne Swaim.

By: Dianne Swaim

Dianne Swaim — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 03:03:00 +0000

Daphne, I can’t imagine someone of your professional status and talent to share so generously! Thank you so very much for your wilingness to help other writers. I have already put several of your tips to use and am amazed at the difference in my articles. God bless you!!!!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:35:00 +0000

Daphne, thanks so much for these 3 articles on deliberate practice.

I’ve recently been training a course for ESL students in Hong Kong, and one of the things they want to learn is ‘more precise vocabulary’ (to use their words). So we’ve been using an online dictionary (Macmillan) that provides not only lists of synonyms but also lists of collocates to show which words go together properly. This, along with your tips on checking ‘be’ verbs, has encouraged me to check my verbs more carefully from now on!
Also thanks for your reference links to passive voice. Numberg’s and Hale’s articles are excellent resources.