[Calvin]

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing?

[Abigail]

Saying “then” too often. I put extreme effort into avoiding that word. Another common mistake is switching tenses absentmindedly.

One of my common mistakes is adding too much description.

[rebekah.hartung]

Using too many ly-adverbs and abstract language when trying to describe something in a scene can be dangerous in writing. I’ve learned that it’s better to use concrete language (things you can easily visualize). Of course this really applies most in creative writing.

[Ben Crist]

To support Rebekah’s point with an extreme example, I had one college professor who would fail any paper that had a single adverb. He acknowledged that he was quirky, but found that most college students in his experience hid behind adverbs to keep from clear statements and judgments.