This data shows you how to organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writ¬ing, with techniques such as freewriting, brainstorming, and outlining. You will even learn why it's important to read good writing while preparing your essay. | Word Choice CHAPTER 3 HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS 29 AVOID AT ALL COSTS It doesn t matter how often they are used the words and usages mentioned in this rule are not considered standard English and should never be used. acrrosed acrost the adverb and preposition across has only one form it never ends in the letter t alot incorrect spelling of a lot often seen in informal writing but should not be used in an essay or any other formal writing alright incorrect spelling of all right anyways speech dialect form not acceptable in written English use anyway anywheres see anyways arguably considered vague and overused often appears as a dangling modifier brang brung often seen masquerading as the past tense of bring brought is the only correct past tense of bring conversate an unacceptable back-formation of conversation use converse instead everywheres see anyways go should not be used to report speech He goes I quit. hopefully most often heard as a substitute for I hope as such it is not a word. Hopefully I ll get an A on the test is an example of nonstandard English. What the writer means is I hope I ll get an A on the test. Hopefully is a word however when used as an adverb to mean full of hope. For example They waited hopefully for the firefighters. irregardless this blend of irrespective and regardless has been in use for about a century but is still not considered a word in standard written English majorly minorly major and minor are adjectives these substandard forms are attempts to use the words as adverbs. Other words such as somewhat should be used instead. nother incorrect form of another nowheres see anyways somewheres see anyways theirselves themself both are incorrect forms of themselves because them is plural self must be as well. Also their combined with selves is incorrect because it suggests possession. 30 HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS CHAPTER 3 Word Choice Connotation When you are certain you have selected your words carefully each one denoting exactly what .
