Improving English Expression?

[rachid.kam]

I seriously dread when I receive my SAC paper back, only to be concluded with the same comments over and over again "It was good, but you are lacking expression". How am I supposed to combat such a task? Does anybody out there know how expression can be improved on? Because, according to my teacher, it "can't". Seems contradictory though, asking me to "improve" on something I "can't". Should I excessively read,read,read or should I write,write,write?

[Quantum44]

I seriously dread when I receive my SAC paper back, only to be concluded with the same comments over and over again "It was good, but you are lacking expression". How am I supposed to combat such a task? Does anybody out there know how expression can be improved on? Because, according to my teacher, it "can't". Seems contradictory though, asking me to "improve" on something I "can't". Should I excessively read,read,read or should I write,write,write?

The best way to improve expression is to read lots of quality literature and gradually pick up on the turns of phrase and expression by being naturally exposed to it. Over time you will definitely improve your writing style if you employ this method.

[rachid.kam]

The best way to improve expression is to read lots of quality literature and gradually pick up on the turns of phrase and expression by being naturally exposed to it. Over time you will definitely improve your writing style if you employ this method.

That sounds great, but what "quality literature" are you referring to?

[Quantum44]

That sounds great, but what "quality literature" are you referring to?

Well I have read a lot of classic works like Jane Austen with some more contemporary fiction mixed in to improve my expression. It's probably best to start with novels that have won or been short listed for the booker prize.

[First Aid]

In my opinion, I think expression can be improved. Like Quantum44 suggested, reading sophisticated texts will definitely improve your expression as you'll gradually begin to remember certain words and phrases. I also think in general, just practising writing will help too.

[Cheesehat]

Read your writing aloud to yourself sometimes! It should help you ease out many of the kinks in your expression.

I definitely agree that reading quality literature will improve your expression, but it may not be for everyone. If you don't really like to read that much, a good substitute is listening to famous speeches/speakers. Take note of the way they pace themselves and phrase themselves, and try to replicate it in your own writing.

Also, another small word of advice as you work on your expression - don't confuse sophistication with high vocabulary. I think quite a lot of students get caught in this trap. Remember that the purpose of your writing is to communicate your ideas to the reader, and not to prove that you're a human dictionary. Don't be afraid to start off writing simply.

Good luck

[heids]

You could check out this post (I haven't read it in ages so have no clue if it's useful haha): http://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=162777.0

[TheCommando]

The best way to improve expression is to read lots of quality literature and gradually pick up on the turns of phrase and expression by being naturally exposed to it. Over time you will definitely improve your writing style if you employ this method.

So fiction books?
I was told reading newspaper articles would help most as they are writtin in a style similar to language anaylis etc by my tutor

[LOVEPHYSICS]

Write simply and use the active voice as much as possible. Go through your sentences twice, thrice or as many times you feel you need. Remove unnecessary words - if your message can be conveyed with three words, than three words it is. Always choose the most appropriate - not the most complex - word to convey the intended meaning. If there is more than one word that convey the intended meaning, always choose the simpler one. In short, write simply.

For example to OP [I am aware that you may not have good expression in mind while communicating online, but anyways] - I dread receiving my SAC papers and see the same comment about bad expression being repeated time and time again. How can I address this?  My teacher tells me 'I can't' but this seems to contradict her apparent desire for me to improve. Should I read or write more?

Writing simply goes a long way in improving expression.

[livdog]

i have the same problem with expression and my teacher has been really good helping me with it.
when she marks my essays or work she underlines the poorly expressed or written parts then told me to rewrite them and express them better.
also i have been trying to go slower when writing and try and really think about what im writing before i write it so i dont have those poorly expressed problems and i think its been working. my teacher said i am improving.
hope you can do to the same and maybe try this and talk to your teacher
definitely can be improved

[TheCommando]

Write simply and use the active voice as much as possible. Go through your sentences twice, thrice or as many times you feel you need. Remove unnecessary words - if your message can be conveyed with three words, than three words it is. Always choose the most appropriate - not the most complex - word to convey the intended meaning. If there is more than one word that convey the intended meaning, always choose the simpler one. In short, write simply.

For example to OP [I am aware that you may not have good expression in mind while communicating online, but anyways] - I dread receiving my SAC papers and see the same comment about bad expression being repeated time and time again. How can I address this?  My teacher tells me 'I can't' but this seems to contradict her apparent desire for me to improve. Should I read or write more?

Writing simply goes a long way in improving expression.

What is the active voice

[Max Kawasakii]

What is the active voice

To know whether you are writing in the active or passive voice, identify the subject of the sentence and decide whether the subject is doing the action or being acted upon.
 Passive Voice: the subject is the receiver of the action.
Active voice: the subject does an action to an object

If that's a bit confusing, read this website  it has examples and explanations that i think you will find very useful!

https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/activepass.htm

[n__n]

What is the active voice

Put simply, active voice focuses on the 'action', whereas passive focuses on the 'idea'. For example;
- Active voice: Bob threw the ball (here, there's emphasis on the 'throwing' action).
- Passive voice: The ball was thrown by Bob (this focuses on the notion of 'Bob throwing the ball').

[TheCommando]

So when does this active voice come into play?
Is it when your 'story telling' in language analysis and in creative writing

[brenden]

"Read the newspaper" and "ready classic fiction" gets a lot of traction when questions like this rock up but honestly, who the fudge can be bothered to get through Dickens, Austen etc. in the middle of year 12?

My advice - read some shitty fiction that's "beneath" you. Books intended for 15 year olds are great because you can read then after school without it draining your energy but it's infinitely better than nothing.

If a big writing project cropped up for me through uni or through work at ATAR Notes and I was struggling, I'd always smash out some shitty fiction books (I am Number Four series worked a treat) just to get the reading and writing juices flowing a little bit without having to slog through anything heavy. It's "low-hanging fruit" if you will - something that ANY Year 12 can do. Realistically, is anyone reading this thread planning on picking up a Jane Austen novel before their English SAC? Probably nah. But spend 12 bucks at your local Collins bookstore on some super popular fiction intended for young adolescents. Chances are, the expression is still better than yours (and mine)