Hi there,
Any suggestions on how I can improve my grammar and punctuation + sentence flow and expression. Please link me to some guides or textbooks that may help with this. I am open to all methods and willing to try them.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Hi there,
As with everything, grammar and punctuation come with practice. (So do sentence flow and expression, but let's focus on the first two for now). For me personally, I found reading as a past-time a useful way of building up an almost subconscious record of the do's and don't's. Whether it be fiction or a science textbook, just reading a little bit every day will help you improve your overall writings. As well as this, try to use correct punctuation and grammar in everything. If you don't already, try texting and emailing full words and sentences instead of abbreviating. Make it a habit to write everything in the most succinct and precise language possible.
Sentence flow and expression can be helped with the same method, but that's a fairly passive form of practice. In regards to essays and more structured writings, make sure that you are planning out the main ideas you have in mind beforehand, using topic sentences and doing your best to be as concise as possible. Also, this will sound strange, but have you ever tried watching a movie or video and writing down what the characters are saying? Sentence flow and expression can most easily be identified in natural, fluent speech - why not transcribe it and see what you come up with?
You can find plenty of links from universities and schools with advice on how to improve these things, but Khan Academy is a go-to for exercises and quizzes on more advanced concepts. In particular, they have a
lesson plan on grammar.
Hope this helps!