LitWiki - User contributions [en]

What is wrong with “it”?

2014-11-07T03:39:29Z

AdamDrawdy1: Added It vs. Who and Works Cited

Be careful when using pronouns, especially “it” and “[[Why is the pronoun “this” ambiguous?|this]].” Often these pronouns will be substituted for a real noun and can cause awkward sentences, vague references, passive construction, and wordiness. Compare:

: It is the time of year when the leaves change color.

“It” in the above example is vague reference that renames nothing. Try the sentence with a real noun:

: Autumn changes the color of the leaves.

Notice the economy of words, the active verb, and the actual noun. Anytime you use the word “it” in your sentence, ask yourself what is “it”? Chances are that you could use a real noun in place of the ambiguous pronoun to make your sentence more specific and much easier to read.

== Examples ==

Wordy and weak:

: It took Menaleus a long time to get home.

Cleaner and more precise using the subject and verb where they belong:

: Menaleus took a long time to get home.

Wordy and weak:

: Gorgias believed that it is impossible to objectively perceive anything because people cannot look past their opinions.

What does “it” tryly stand for? Use the real subject:

: Gorgias believed that objective perception is impossible because people cannot look past their opinions.

==="It" vs. "Who"===

In many instances "it" is in place of where "who" should be, and "who" is in place of where "it" should be.

When using a title for a specific function of a person, "it" should be used instead of "who".

Example: "The builder will stop after ''it'' has received the check."

Although it seems strange, this is the correct use of "it".

Besides "it" sounding weak and wordy, rules where it is supposed to be used should be considered.

====Works Cited====

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/95289/when-to-use-it-instead-of-who. "When to Use "It" Instead of "Who"". English Language & Usage. 23 December 2012. 4 November 2014.

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[[Composition FAQ]]

What is meant by “purpose” in an essay?

2013-11-15T04:52:25Z

AdamDrawdy1: /* Examples of purpose statements */

==What is a purpose==
The purpose announces the direction in which the paper will be going without giving the conclusion of which the author has discovered.
# Specific and precise - not general, broad or obscure
# Concise - one or two sentences
# Clear - not vague, ambiguous or confusing
# Goal-oriented - stated in terms of desired outcomes

==Where is the purpose in an essay==
The purpose is generally found in the introduction. It can consist of several sentences or a whole paragraph. Be sure to check with your instructor on whether or not they want a thesis or a purpose. Purposes are commonly used in academic settings when doing a research paper.

==Examples of purpose statements==
Good purpose statements:
# "This paper examines . . ."
# "The aim of this paper is to . . ."
# "The purpose of this essay is to . . ."
# "In this paper, I will describe/explain/review/etc. the..."
# "My reason for writing is to..."
# "This paper will discuss the..."
# "The purpose of this paper is twofold: to ___ and ___"

Remember to be specific and precise. The purpose explains very specifically what the paper will be about. Having a broad purpose will make the reader/audience uninterested in your topic.

==Links==
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Thesis_or_Purpose.html
http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/imwps.htm

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[[Composition FAQ]]

What is meant by “purpose” in an essay?

2013-11-15T04:50:25Z

AdamDrawdy1: /* Where is the purpose in an essay */

==What is a purpose==
The purpose announces the direction in which the paper will be going without giving the conclusion of which the author has discovered.
# Specific and precise - not general, broad or obscure
# Concise - one or two sentences
# Clear - not vague, ambiguous or confusing
# Goal-oriented - stated in terms of desired outcomes

==Where is the purpose in an essay==
The purpose is generally found in the introduction. It can consist of several sentences or a whole paragraph. Be sure to check with your instructor on whether or not they want a thesis or a purpose. Purposes are commonly used in academic settings when doing a research paper.

==Examples of purpose statements==
General Beginnings
# "This paper examines . . ."
# "The aim of this paper is to . . ."
# "The purpose of this essay is to . . ."
# "In this paper, I will describe/explain/review/etc. the..."
# "My reason for writing is to..."
# "This paper will discuss the..."
# "The purpose of this paper is twofold: to ___ and ___"

Remember to be specific and precise. Having a broad purpose will make the reader/audience uninterested in your topic.

==Links==
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Thesis_or_Purpose.html
http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/imwps.htm

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[[Composition FAQ]]

When is something “clichéd” or “trite”?

2013-11-08T03:21:23Z

AdamDrawdy1:

A cliché is an expression that used to be clever, but became worn-out with too much use. Clichés show laziness in composition, a return to the same expressions that have been used by people for generations. Leave these expressions alone; instead, come up with another way of saying what you want to say — something fresh and creative.

Here are some examples of cliches to be avoided:

* beat around the bush
* busy as a beaver
* dead as a doornail
* kill her with kindness
* playing with fire
* water under the bridge
* since the dawn of time
* goes without saying
* first and foremost
* scratch the surface
* burning question
* contrary to popular opinion
* bite the bullet

Often clichés are so old, they have lost their original significance, like “dead as a doornail.” Clichés can be detrimental to your writing and should be avoided if at all possible.

Like clichés, trite expressions are so familiar in popular vernacular (“marketing speek”) that they have become dull to read and hear. Avoid trite expressions and clichés in your writing: they are inappropriate, tired, and predictable.

Here are some trite expressions to be avoided:

* startling new developments
* coming out of the closet
* good people
* cutting edge
* hard data

A trite expression could also be one that is too obvious to have been stated, like:

: Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is a very interesting piece of literature that is often analyzed.

If you can respond to the statement with "Duh!", you should leave it out of your writing.

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[[Composition FAQ]]
[[Category:Composition|Cliche]]