12th grade writing & editing

Example

A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?

1. Effective style matches tone to purpose and uses precise, economical language.
2. So the answer is: The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.

Answer: The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.

Example

"This proves that social media causes loneliness." (The evidence is a single correlational survey.) Which revision uses appropriate hedging?

1. Academic style is objective, precise and cautious about what the evidence shows.
2. So the answer is: These findings suggest a possible link between social media use and loneliness.

Answer: These findings suggest a possible link between social media use and loneliness.

Example

Which choice is best for the part in brackets? Choose NO CHANGE if the original is best. The ancient road [was built] by the Romans.

1. On the ACT, NO CHANGE is right when the original is grammatical, clear and concise; otherwise choose the clearest correct option.
2. The original is correct.
3. So the answer is: NO CHANGE

Answer: NO CHANGE

Example

Claim: "Schools should teach financial literacy." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

1. Concede (admittedly, although, granted, it is true that) and then rebut (however, yet, nevertheless) to show fairness and strengthen your case.
2. It accepts the time problem but shows the benefit outweighs it.
3. So the answer is: It is true that the timetable is crowded, yet a few lessons a year on budgeting could save students from costly mistakes for decades.

Answer: It is true that the timetable is crowded, yet a few lessons a year on budgeting could save students from costly mistakes for decades.

Example

How should the student's version be classified? Original (Okafor, 2021): "Urban trees reduce summer temperatures by shading streets and releasing water vapour." Student: According to Okafor (2021), city trees cool streets in summer through shade and the moisture they give off.

1. Always credit sources. Use quotation marks for exact words, and paraphrase in your own words and structure; swapping a few words (patchwriting) is not enough.
2. New wording and sentence structure, with the source credited.
3. So the answer is: acceptable paraphrase (with citation)

Answer: acceptable paraphrase (with citation)

Example

What kind of statement is this, as the thesis of an essay? This essay is about the novel 'Frankenstein'.

1. A strong thesis is arguable, specific and often previews its reasons; facts, vague generalisations and topic announcements are not theses.
2. It announces the subject only.
3. So the answer is: an announcement of the topic

Answer: an announcement of the topic

Example

Purpose: an email to a company complaining that a product broke after one week. Which sentence suits the audience and purpose best?

1. Effective writers adapt register — formality, vocabulary and tone — to their audience and purpose.
2. Firm, polite and specific is most effective for a complaint.
3. So the answer is: I am writing to report that the headphones I bought on 3 May stopped working after one week, and I would like a replacement or refund.

Answer: I am writing to report that the headphones I bought on 3 May stopped working after one week, and I would like a replacement or refund.