Dos and Don’t s
Dos
– Do use active voice
– Do include transitions between paragraphs (transition words like: Therefore, Before, However, Consequently, For this reason, It follows that, As a result, etc)
-Do discuss in the present tense, in case you are writing on literature.
– Do quote, summarize, or paraphrase material from the literary work that you are discussing in order to support your ideas.
– Do discuss the overall theme of the essay— the conclusion is a good place for this.
– Do write precisely. Try not to be repetitive.
Don’t
– Don’t rely on cliches to make your point, for example, “It goes without saying….”
– Don’t use verb phrases when you can use a single verb; for example, say “sees” rather than “is seeing.”
– Don’t use mechanical thesis statements, such as “In this essay, I will discuss ….. “or” this essay will discuss.”
– Don’t say, “It has been said…”
– Don’t qualify your ideas with phrases like “I think,” “I believe,” “ It seems to me.”
– Don’t use the words “things” or “a lot.”
– Don’t use abbreviations
PTE Guru 