So much to do, and so little time.

[Kitosdad]

Of the many essays that I have read, it is saddening to find that the majority make poor reading. This is due to the fact that so many of the writers seem to place a very great emphasis on using as many big-words as possible in their texts.

Add to this the seeming inability to think " outside of the box "results in boring repetitive
essays, which must have a mind-numbing effect on the examiners and listeners.

You are asked to give examples to reinforce your opinions, but very few of you do so.
Surely it is not beyond your capabilities to do a little research to give some backing to your opinion with a few pertinent facts, or even to fabricate a funny story to drive your point home. I'm sure that the examiners would just love to hear something novel and interesting for a change.

The excuse, " I don't have enough time " won't wash with the examiners. MAKE TIME!
It's your future's that you are striving for here.

Keep it simple.
Make it interesting.
Make it entertaining.

Kitos.

For crying out loud! If you have read this, then at least attempt to make some comment, or am I talking to deaf people?

TOEFL listening discussions: Why did the professor ask to see the student?
_________________
Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[SkiIucK]

I actually wrote about this on my English state exams. :D

[Gray]

I, too, observe the same with most of the beginners. They just want to jump to the writing directly without reading anything substantial. And they get enamored by high-flown words instead of recognizing the power of -- combining the words in a natural way, smoothing out the transitions from one idea to the next and most importantly the cohesiveness of the writing.

I am not an exception here, I could only write what I have read earlier ;) These things are still on my to-do list:

1) Read all articles from the archive: Archive 2002-2009

2) Read all Flatmates episodes (from BBC Learning English)

3) Read at least one article daily from www.aldaily.com

4) Read articles written by natives on the forum e.g. stories and today's word.

5) Finally, take some time to gather the words together.
_________________
First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English

[SkiIucK]

Some serious workload there; best of perseverance (luck).

[Yamilet]

HI kitos, it is 4 am now, and I'm going through the essays here, when I came across your writing :)
I don't have much time to sit and read all the postings here, since there are so many haha
But i agree with you, I think we do repeat ourselves quiet a lot, I have many ideas, for instance I like to be descriptive about my topics, but I can't seem to find those
extra words to make my essays more interesting and less boring.
Do you have any suggestions?
_________________
Yamilet

[Kitosdad]

Relax Yamilet, I don't think anyone could possibly find your essays boring, because you put so much of yourself into them.

Your sincerity and love/interest of the subject never fails to shine through.

You are, by far, the best non-native essay writer on this board.

Kitos.
_________________
Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Yamilet]

Thank you so much
you are great
You have grown on me, you know
maybe because my dad is so far away, and some times we need that advice from someone
anyway it means a lot to me your comments.
My test is in 2 weeks, i'm so nervous, my god, I don't know why, I should feel very confident with all the comments I get from my writings
or maybe is normal haha.
Have a great day Kitos, you are an special person. God bless you every single day.
_________________
Yamilet

[Richard]

Hi Kitos.
It was a good advice and reasonable complaint. I'll take your advice. That's actually a weakness of mine.
and thank for your suggestions Gray.
_________________
Global Marketing