Current Tip

"At the end of the day": Irritating Expressions
Brad cautions students not to imitate the world of business in their writing.  November 8, 2009

The Short Clause Comma
Brad goes over the short clause comma and encourages students to experiment.  October 11, 2009

Go with the Flow
Brad explains how writers can improve the "flow" of sentences in their writing.  September 27, 2009

Using a Style Guide
Brad recommends an excellent online resource to answer tricky questions of English usage.  September 13, 2009

Put Your Best Foot Forward
Brad goes over some common idioms using the word, "foot."  June 9, 2009

One Stop Essay Tips
Brad points out our one page resource for students who are preparing to write a certificate test essay.  June 1, 2009

A Colleague with a Brogue
Brad refers to a number of English words that end with the letters "gue."  May 25, 2009

Need Help with Word?
Brad links us to a super resource for helping you learn to use Microsoft Word.  May 18, 2009

Don't Bug Me!
Brad gives some of the interesting meanings for the common English word, "bug." May 10, 2009

Stupid Grammar Advice?
Brad refers to a contrary opinion on the famous grammar text, The Elements of Style. May 3, 2009

Compound Adjectives: Using the Hyphen Well
Brad explains the useful compound adjective and links to a wonderful online resource to learn more. April 19, 2009

Terrifically Mean: A Good Thing?
Brad explains the interesting use of opposite meanings in English. April 12, 2009

Worth its Weight in Gold
Brad introduces three idiomatic usages for the word, "gold." April 5, 2009

You Dirty Rat!
Brad goes over some of the interesting idiomatic meanings for the word, rat. March 30, 2009

The Practical Participle
Brad explains how to use the participle in English (with examples). March 23, 2009

 "Use Vigorous English" (Hemingway)
Brad refers to one of Hemingway's rules for writing well. March 9, 2009

The Was's and the Were's
Brad helps with the tricky use of the subjunctive form in English. March 1, 2009

Exacerbating my Exasperation
Brad demonstrates the difference between these two sound-alike words. February 23, 2009

Either or Neither?
Brad explains the correct use of either and neither. Includes several example sentences. February 14, 2009

Banished Words
Brad points out the 2009 list of banished words, which includes the word "green"! February 8, 2009

Ago or Before?
Brad explains how the two similar words ago and before are used correctly. February 1, 2009

The Disappearing Apostrophe
Brad notes how the rule for forming the plural has lost the apostrophe in recent years. January 12, 2009

The Winter "Blues"
Brad goes over some of the many idiomatic meanings for the word, blue. January 3, 2009

The Whys and Wherefores
Brad explains the meaning of "wherefore" when used by Juliet in Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet.  December 16, 2008

Moderating your Modals
Brad gently suggests we be careful with modal verbs such as "must" and "should."  December 8, 2008

Disinterested or Uninterested?
Brad brings our attention to the correct usage of this often-confused pair.  December 1, 2008

Who's "That" Person?
Brad argues that we should use "who" when referring to a person and not "that."  November 21, 2008

"Alphabet Juice"
Brad points out a fascinating new book about the English language that The New York Times calls a "literary junk drawer." Includes a link to the first chapter (origins of words to denote the sound a pig makes, for example!).  November 18, 2008

Lose that Thin Skin!
Brad suggests that a good writer gets used to and welcomes criticism.  November 11, 2008

The Scandinavian Connection
Brad shares some vocabulary that has come to us from the Old Norse language.  November 3, 2008

Using "HyperGrammar"
Brad shares a fabulous resource for learning and testing your grammar knowledge online. October 27, 2008

The Pen: Mightier than the Keyboard?
Brad encourages writers to give old fashioned writing with a pen a try once in a while. October 20, 2008

Tools for the Imagination
Brad's tip points out a number of useful random generators guaranteed to help you find new ideas for your writing. October 13, 2008

Quotations: Online Resources
Brad's tip points out four useful resources for learning more about using quotation and paraphrase. October 6, 2008

Using Quotations
Brad's tip shows you how to quote accurately and also how to paraphrase from the same source. September 29, 2008

Blogging Makes Writing Better
Brad's tip outlines good reasons to participate in blogging online. September 22, 2008

Finding the Time to Write
Brad's tip gives some advice on squeezing a bit more writing time into our busy lives. September 13, 2008

A Compliment to Complement
Brad's tip demonstrates how to use these two sound-alike words correctly. September 7, 2008

A Man on a Moped who Moped
Brad's tip asks if you can read the above sentence correctly and identify the two meanings of "moped." June 15, 2008

Ballet, Biscuit, Bribe?
Brad's tip reveals what is common among the three words. June 9, 2008

Alcove, Apricot, Artichoke?
Brad's tip reveals what is common among the three words. June 2, 2008

That's Super!
Brad's tip comments on this handy prefix, used to form many new words. May 24, 2008

Long Winded Writing
Brad's tip comes from Ruth, a Writing 12 student.  May 19, 2008

Establish Your Style
Brad's tip comes from Suzanne, a Writing 12 student.  May 3, 2008

Choose Easier Words
Brad's tip comes from Masaru, a Writing 12 student.  April 27, 2008

Are You Among or Amongst Friends?
Brad's tip asks if "among" is used differently from "amongst." April 21, 2008

Perhaps it's Just, Really Quite . . .
Brad's tip reminds us that some words are better left out than in. April 14, 2008

The Limits of the Standard Essay
Brad's tip argues that, sometimes, students are better served by breaking away from standard form. April 6, 2008

Writing for the Web
Brad's tip points out some important rules for writing well for the web. March 29, 2008

Colon or Semicolon?
Brad's tip helps you use these two, often-misused, punctuation marks. March 21, 2008

Have You Any of Either?
Brad's tip helps you use these two, often-misused, words. March 9, 2008

Writing about a Rite, Right?
Brad's tip discusses four different spellings (and meanings) for the words, rite, write, right and wright.  March 2, 2008

Was it Quite Quiet?
Brad's tip reminds us that our spellcheckers will often fail to alert us to a common error.  February 26, 2008

Breaking the Rules! Aggravate My Irritation
Brad's tip notes that, for most purposes, we can use "aggravate" to mean "irritate."  February 18, 2008

Breaking the Rules! The Pesky Ending Preposition
Brad's tip suggests that, sometimes, we can end a sentence with a preposition, especially when the alternative sounds awful.  February 11, 2008

Breaking the Rules! Between or Among?
Brad's tip looks at another rule we think we know, but, on close examination, find is less definitive than we thought.  February 4, 2008

Breaking the Rules! Conjunctions on the Front?
Brad's tip suggests that we learn to break the rules sometimes.  January 28, 2008

Continuous or Continual Rain?
Brad's tip helps us to describe the different rainy conditions found in his home town, Vancouver.  January 22, 2008

Poetry: Quoting Verse Correctly
Brad's tip demonstrates the two important rules for correctly quoting verse, a useful skill for the upcoming provincial exams.  January 14, 2008

Oh Oh: The Long "O"
Brad's tip outlines some of the different spellings used to indicate the long "o" in English.  January 6, 2008

What's My Number?
Brad's tip concerns itself with the rules for using numbers in writing.  December 10, 2007

The "I-Me" Mix Up
Brad's tip helps us to learn when to use "I" and when to use "me" and warns us about substituting "myself."  December 3, 2007

More Foreign Expressions in English
Brad's tip gives two more examples of foreign words that have become part of the English language.  November 26, 2007

Foreign Expressions in English
Brad's tip gives some examples of foreign words that have become part of the English language.  November 19, 2007

Don't Slip with Ellipsis
Brad's tip outlines some of the common uses for ellipsis.  November 12, 2007

Kurt Vonnegut's Rules for Writing Fiction
Brad's tip introduces us to Kurt Vonnegut's witty and useful rules for better fiction writing.  November 5, 2007

Writing Concise Sentences
Brad's tip helps you to follow Stephen King's advice from last week to "Get to the point" and "Cut down your text."  October 29, 2007

Stephen King's 7 Tips for Writers
Brad's tip gives us Stephen King's concise and easily followed tips for beginning writers.  October 22, 2007

Is That an Example or In Other Words?
Brad's tip helps you tell the difference between the abbreviations, "e.g." and "i.e."  October 15, 2007

Using Story Quotes in a Short Paragraph
Brad's tip gives a demonstration paragraph written on theme for the short story, "The Heyday of the Blood."   October 7, 2007

"Ironic?" Maybe! Using Quotation Marks Correctly
Brad's tip makes clear that marking a single word with quotation marks gives the word a new, mostly ironic, meaning. Includes a link to the hilarious "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks.   September 30, 2007

Have the Guts to Cut
Brad's tip refers to a descriptive essay written in conjunction with his English classes. Includes a sample essay and a link to a document to see where the cuts were made.   September 24, 2007

A Dominant Impression: Writing Better Description
Brad's tip points out that creating a dominant impression in a description is the key to its success.   September 17, 2007

How to Write with Style (Kurt Vonnegut)
Brad's tip points out an outstanding article on writing by Kurt Vonnegut. Follow his seven simple tips to becoming a better, more stylish, writer.  September 10, 2007

Defining the Topic Sentence (Revisited)
Brad's tip points us to a 2003 Web collaboration based on trying to decide which sentence is the "true" topic sentence in a paragraph. Answers from renowned experts are interesting, diverse and, believe it or not, contradictory! September 3, 2007

One Stop Essay Tips
Brad's tip brings together all his tips for essay writers. Especially helpful for those writing essays in summer school this term!  August 6, 2007

Pacing Your Writing
Brad's tip comments on the importance of establishing a pace to your written work.  July 31, 2007

Using Your Head Using You're
Brad's tip explains the sound-alike pair of "your" and "you're." July 23, 2007

The Inseparable "Not Only . . . But Also"
Brad's tip refers to Warren Clement's column on grammar, outlining why this construction cannot drop the "but." July 17, 2007

Commas with Adjectives: The "And" Test
Brad's tip explains a simple way to check if adjectives require a comma before a noun. July 8, 2007

The Virtue of Simplicity
Brad's tip refers to advice taken from William Zinsser's famous book, On Writing Well. June 19, 2007

Improve Your Writing: Use Colons!
Brad's tip points out some valuable uses of the colon: as an indicator of what's to come and also for giving emphasis. June 10, 2007

Avoid Fancy Words!
Brad's tip suggests that you follow the advice of the great writing text, The Elements of Style.  June 5, 2007

Persuasion or Propaganda?
Brad's tip helps you to distinguish between persuasion and propaganda.  May 28, 2007

Repeat Yourself!
Brad's tip demonstrates the special power of repetition.  May 21, 2007

An Especially Good Special Tip
Brad's tip explains and demonstrates the difference between "especially" and "special."  May 14, 2007

Preparing for an In-Class Essay Test
Brad's tip reflects on his recent experiences helping students to prepare for an in-class essay test.  May 7, 2007

Pants Loose? Good! Don't Lose Them
Brad's tip looks at the commonly confused pair of words, "lose" and "loose."  April 29, 2007

Easily Confused Spellings
Brad's tip looks at a number of commonly confused words and examines the effect of getting them wrong.  April 22, 2007

Don't Flaunt that Rule!
Brad's tip identifies two easily confused words: flaunt and flout.  April 15, 2007

An Everyday Day Every Day
Brad's tip identifies a "most abused word," "everyday" used as an adjective and its counterpart, "every day," used as an adverb.  April 8, 2007

Oh You Shouldn't Of!
Brad's tip identifies a common mistake in writing that originates in spoken English and marks the writer as less than competent.  April 3, 2007

Are You Perfect? Present Perfect!
Brad's tip explains the importance of correct use of this tense. Includes links to a worksheet and explanation online.  March 25, 2007

Editing: On Screen or Paper?
Brad's tip argues for a paper edit of all your writing as computer screen editing often leads us to avoidable errors in our work.  March 13, 2007

Short Sentences Create Suspense
Brad's tip quotes Roy Peter Clark from his column, Writing Tools, where he explains and demonstrates how to make the short sentence work to create suspense.  March 5, 2007

Be Wary of the Exclamation Mark!
Brad's tip quotes Lynne Truss's strong opinions on the use of the exclamation mark. Includes some rules and examples of how to use the mark correctly in your writing.  February 27, 2007

The Effect of Affect
Brad's tip teaches the difference between these two words. Includes sample sentences.  February 20, 2007

The Problem with "Always"
Brad's tip warns about the word "always," quoting from the useful writing text, The Process of Composition by Joy Reid.  February 13, 2007

Not "To Be": Avoiding "Is"
Brad's tip warns writers about weak "to be" constructions and links to three excellent online resources to help you get an excessive use of "is" out of your writing. February 6, 2007

Some Cautions on the Thesaurus
Brad's tip argues that a thesaurus can lead a writer astray as easily as it helps in finding just the right word. January 29, 2007

Sentence Fragments Sometimes
Brad's tip discusses the occasions when a sentence fragment may be appropriate in your writing. January 21, 2007

Adverbs Necessary? Not Always!
Brad's tip discusses how an overuse of adverbs can cause harm to your prose. Includes a link to a great Web resource. January 14, 2007

Understanding Point of View
Brad's tip discusses the difficulties of understanding how point of view affects a piece of writing. Includes a link to a great Web resource. January 2, 2007

Learn from the Greeks: Onomatopoeia
Brad's tip lists some interesting "sound-alike" words you can use to improve your writing. December 16, 2006

What the Honest Writer Does . . .
Brad's tip quotes John Gardner from his book, The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers.  December 11, 2006

Reading Leads to Better Writing
Brad's tip quotes the thoughts of the writing greats on the importance of reading widely. December 4, 2006

Adjectives? Kill Them! (Mark Twain's Advice)
Brad's tip starts with a quote from Mark Twain, author of Huckleberry Finn, who counsels us to avoid using too many adjectives in our writing.  November 27, 2006

Learn from the Greeks: Simile
Brad's tip outlines some of the many kinds of simile. Yes, the Greeks outlined the uses of simile a long time ago! November 21, 2006

Learn from the Greeks: Zeugma
Brad's tip outlines a powerful rhetorical technique first defined by the Greeks. Includes a writing sample to demonstrate its use in your writing. November 13, 2006

Don't Be Afraid to Repeat!
Brad's tip uses the writing of Elie Wiesel from his book on the Holocaust, Night, to illustrate the power of intentional repetition. November 7, 2006

The Many Uses of Would
Brad's tip links us to a worksheet and teacher writing sample to help you learn more about how to use "would" in your writing. October 30, 2006

The Secret to Writing Good Dialogue: Eavesdropping!
Brad's tip gives a number of suggested places to practice this ancient art form: eavesdropping! October 24, 2006

Learn to Use the Semicolon Like the Experts!
Brad's tip outlines an online exercise you can use to find and examine semicolon use by writers working online. Includes a link to an article for practice. October 15, 2006

Be Careful with "Only"!
Brad's tip demonstrates how a sentence's meaning can change depending on where "only" is placed. October 8, 2006

How We See Things: Following Shakespeare's Example
Brad's tip uses Shakespeare's Hamlet to help us understand the importance of our own perceptions and how these perceptions affect how we and others see the world. October 1, 2006
 

Two Part Phrasal Verbs: A Great Resource
Brad's tip points out a great resource for students working in a second language. Includes a huge list of these tricky idiomatic constructions and examples to help you use them correctly. September 24, 2006

Short and Choppy? Sometimes, Yes!
Brad's tip gives an example of the effective use of short and choppy sentences. September 17, 2006

Learning to be Reverent
Brad's tip refers to Ann Lamott's comment on the responsibility of writers to be reverent. September 10, 2006

Reading and Writing
Brad's tip refers to best selling author Stephen King's advice on reading. September 5, 2006

A Writer's Secret: Smell
Brad's tip reminds writers to use our most powerful sense, our sense of smell, to reach their audience. August 29, 2006

Use Nouns and Verbs Not Adjectives and Adverbs
Brad's tip brings us the advice of the great writer, E.B. White, also featured in our Quote of the Week. August 13, 2006

Write Like a Writer: Begin by Understanding Life
Brad's tip responds to a quote from writer Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. August 6, 2006
 

A Quick Way to Improve Writing: Using Idioms
Brad's tip goes over the pluses and minuses of using idiom to improve your writing. August 1, 2006
 

Speed Up! Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Brad's tip helps you to increase your computing speed. Get more done and save your wrists in the process! July 24, 2006
 

Looking for a Word in Word? Hit Shift + F7!
Brad's tip gives instructions on using the thesaurus built into Microsoft Word. May 16, 2006
 

Variety: The Spice of the Writer's Life
Brad's tip offers a few practical hints to improve the variety of your writing. April 23, 2006
 

Making Your Writing Specific
Brad's tip includes two detailed student examples with his comments for improvement. April 16, 2006
 

Microsoft Word Grammar Check? Beware!
Brad warns students to be wary of the built in grammar checker offered with the popular software. April 11, 2006

The Dash: A Handy Mark
Brad explains the dash and gives a number of examples of its correct uses. April 4, 2006

Using the Semicolon Well
Brad explains the semicolon and reminds us to avoid "semicolonitis." March 28, 2006
 

Advice on Being Specific: Susan Goldsmith Woolridge
From another book from Brad's bookshelf for writers comes a specific activity to help you find the specific in your writing. March 21, 2006
 

Writers Care: Reading Anne Lamott
From one of Brad's favourite books on writing, read this week's tip for an interesting quote from writing teacher Anne Lamott. March 4, 2006
 

Sleep On It!
Advice to a weary student: when the writing job is complex, go to bed and have a good sleep! February 21, 2006
 

Top Ten Ways to Fix Writing Problems
Another great resource, this one found by an English 12 student in the course of researching her weekly assignment on student writing problems. February 14, 2006
 

50 Writing Tools
An index of 50 writing tools that will help you to improve your writing. A fabulous online resource for any writer,  make it a weekly stop and see your writing improve! February 5, 2006
 

Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University: Useful Handouts
An incredible resource, OWL has been assisting students and teachers with their writing needs for many years on the Web. January 22, 2006
 

More on the Essay Thesis
An additional resource students writing an essay should check for ideas and advice on improving that most important sentence—the thesis. January 10, 2006
 

Writing Good Essay Introductions and Conclusions
Some important tips to remember when writing your essay's introduction and conclusion. Includes links to samples at our web site. December 6, 2005
 

More Comments and Suggestions for Writing about Literature
Still more examples of student writing from English Language Arts 11 with detailed commentary from the teacher on what works and what might be improved. Based on Shirley Jackson's story, "The Possibility of Evil." November 19, 2005

Comments and Suggestions for Writing about Literature
A number of longer examples of student writing with detailed commentary from the teacher on what works and what might be improved. November 12, 2005
 

Using Quotations in Answers (with examples)
English 11 students are learning to use quotations correctly in their answers. Find examples and advice in this week's tip. October 29, 2005
 

Some Thoughts on the Topic Sentence
From a class discussion with the English 10 class, comments on the expectations teachers have for the topic sentences you write. October 2, 2005

Avoiding the Fancy
Beginning with advice from the famous text, The Elements of Style, Brad advises students to keep away from elaborate words when simple ones tell the same story. September 25, 2005

The "One Sentence" Rule for Revision
Peter Elbow, author of the book Writing with Power, gives us a good piece of revising advice. September 20, 2005

Characteristics of a Good Dictionary
Students at any level benefit from a good dictionary. What characteristics should a student look for to find a dictionary? Find out this week! Includes a link to an excellent student dictionary. September 11, 2005

Learning to Use Microsoft Word
Using a word processor can really help you make assignments look better. This tip will help you with becoming faster and more proficient at using Word.  September 6, 2005

What is a "Controlling" Idea?
Want to write the best topic sentences? Learn about the "controlling" idea and you will be on the road to better sentences and ideas for your essays and paragraphs.  August 18, 2005

Eight Steps to a Successful Test Essay
An eight step plan for writing a test essay. The tip includes a full sample essay, "The Benefits of Daydreaming" based on a standard essay topic.  May 22, 2005

A Place I Hate: Using the Senses
A series of different sensory views of a place I hate: the weight room at my local community centre. February 13, 2005

Simple, Parallel, Short: What Sentence Should We Use?
A series of sentences that demonstrate key aspects of sentence style. February 5, 2005

A Writing Exercise with Exercise (Being Specific)
Poet Susan Goldsmith Woolridge gives valuable advice on being specific and helps a writer to stay physically healthy at the same time!  January 23, 2005

Practice, Practice, Practice
Students in this week's Writing Practice wrote for 10 minutes. Done daily, writing practice will improve your writing steadily.  January 14, 2005

Learn One New Word Every Day!
Many of my students identify vocabulary as a key weakness. Use the Merriam Webster "Word of the Day" web site to learn a new word every day!  January 9, 2005

The One "Essential" Book of English Usage
A small book, available at any bookstore or online and one that any serious student of writing should consider.  January 2, 2005

Five Important Rules of Written Grammar
Why not master these five tips for the holidays? Grammar, particularly English grammar, can be difficult for writers to master.  December 14, 2005

Commas: Student Examples with Teacher Comment
The comma is one of our most powerful punctuation marks. Writing Tutorial students practiced commas this week. View their sentences and Brad's comments.  November 7, 2005

Adding Detail after the Object
Making sentences longer can be a challenge. Why not add detail after the object, that part of the sentence following along behind the verb?  October 23, 2005

Students' Errors Classified
Read about the common errors students make in composition. How many do you share with them? Results are from the English 10 and Advanced Composition classes.  September 26, 2005

Student Examples: Important Writing Rules
Students discussed important rules for writing and writers. Find out what they think! September 20, 2005

Student Examples: Character Description
Students discussed the use of indirect description in class this week. Here are some good examples to follow, each one with a detailed commentary from the teacher and the class.  August 14, 2005

Student Responses to Lynne Truss
Lynne Truss says, “Proper punctuation is both the sign and the cause of clear thinking.” What does she mean, exactly? Here are some student responses.  August 3, 2005

A Paradox from Wislawa Szymborska
Students of poetry may find the excerpt interesting. A fine example of paradox.  June 7, 2005

Student Rules for Topic Sentences (with examples)
Results of a class exercise on topic sentences with the Advanced Composition (daytime class) students.  May 18, 2005

Student Writing Examples with Teacher Comments
Three pieces by Literature and Composition 4 students are revised, corrected, and commented on in detail.  May 10, 2005

Advanced Composition: Imitating Great Writers
Students helped the teacher write two faithful copies of the style of two great writers, Carol Shields and Jack London. Includes comments on the craft shown in the writing.  April 22, 2005

Student Examples of Titles and Introductions
More from the students on essay structure.  February 29, 2005

Student Rules for Writing a Good Essay
Results of a class discussion on six parts of the essay and the rules one should follow for each. There are only five parts listed here. Can you think of a sixth?  February 19, 2005

Breaking the Rules: Avoid "Short Choppy Sentences"?
Sometimes, teachers' rules are meant to be broken! Look at this example of the effective use of "short choppy sentences" by Canadian writer, Ethel Wilson.  December 30, 2004

Strong Verbs: Intensifying Meaning
Yet another tip that will help you obtain the highest marks possible for your certificate test writing this term.  December 7, 2004

Variety: The Spice of a Reader's Life
Yet another tip that will help you obtain the highest marks possible for your certificate test writing this term.  December 1, 2004

Logical Order: The Key to Coherent Paragraphs and Essays
Follow logical order and see your test writing marks improve!  November 25, 2004

Answering Questions Well
The English 3B-C Class worked on answers to questions about water conservation in Vancouver. Learn about some good "answering questions" techniques.  October 6, 2004

The Title Rules! (Review and Examples)
The Literature and Composition 4 students have learned how to write good titles. View their work, along with a thorough review of the rules for writing good titles.  May 25, 2004

Questions and Answers about the Essay
A series of student questions about different parts of the essay. Topics discussed include, Paragraph Hooks, Placement of Body Paragraphs, Transition Words and more. April 18, 2004

Punctuation Review: Increasing Sentence Length
Sentences by the Level 3B-C show how to use the comma, apostrophe, hyphen, exclamation mark, and quotation marks. Comments from the teacher on increasing sentence length. March 19, 2004

Metaphors We Live By (All Language is Metaphor!)
Metaphor is used by poets, right? No, we use metaphor all the time, according to the text, Metaphors We Live By. January 19, 2004

Want to be a Writer? Stephen King's Advice
Stephen King's book, On Writing, is a wonderful text. What is his primary writing advice? January 5, 2004

Parallel Structure: A President's Inaugural Address
Read a quotation from Lyndon Bains Johnson's Inaugural Address and learn more about the effective use of parallel structure in your writing. December 3, 2003

Vision: "The Beholder's Eye"
Diane Ackerman explains in her book, A Natural History of the Senses, that about 70 percent of our sensory information comes through our eyes. No wonder, then, that visual image is important to writers!  September 29, 2003

Smell: "The Mute Sense"
"Nothing is more memorable than smell." So Diane Ackerman says in her book, A Natural History of the Senses. And nothing, she adds, is harder to describe than smell to another who has not experienced it. September 7, 2003

Participles: Verbs as Adjectives
This week, Brad gives some examples of participles that are also useful as adjectives. July 31, 2003

Note Pads and Cards
This week, Brad outlines a popular method for writers to save their ideas: writing them down!  July 20, 2003

The All Important Audience
This week, Brad reminds us of the importance of audience to a writer. Includes links to a worksheet and a teacher writing sample.  July 1, 2003

Writing with Power: Practical Advice
This week, Brad points us to one of his favourite writing texts. Includes a sample piece of advice and a link to Amazon.com.  June 23, 2003

What Makes Writing Memorable
This week, Brad comments on his pleasurable experiences as a marker of many student paragraphs and essays. June 16, 2003

Should I Ask? The Rhetorical Question
Is it right to ask the rhetorical question? Find out Brad's opinion! June 4, 2003

Student Essay Examples with Comments
Brad has written comments for a number of excerpts from student practice essays. Learn more about what makes a good essay! May 26, 2003 

Do You Know Your Essay Structure?
Brad has written a quiz to help you check! May 19, 2003

Assigned a Paragraph? Write ONE!
Brad's been marking student paragraphs this week. Much to his dismay, some students have written short essays, although he had only asked for one paragraph! May 12, 2003

On "What" Other Hand?
Brad has some advice on transitions in writing. On the other hand, will he give good advice? Come to read about the use (and misuse) of transitions. May 5, 2003

26 Golden Rules for Writing Well
Brad laughed at this list. Visit the site to see why. April 28, 2003