<p>Hi guys
My writing skills - especially word choice and syntax - are really lacking. To help me prepare for the SAT essay, college app essay, and maybe even AP classes, would taking a class help? I was thinking about taking a ThinkTank writing course if anyone knows about it.
Or would a good prep book help instead?
Thanks for any advice.</p>
<p>Don't take a class just to do well on those things. You'll need to know how to read, write, and analyze for anything you do in you future, so any composition course you take will be invaluable.</p>
<p>A prep book isn't going to give you the feed back and criticism a live, knowledgeable human being can, but if it's your only choice, it can't do any harm. Try to take a composition course at your high school, though. Goodness knows you have to have at least one good one available. Or hey, just ask a willing teacher for extra help.</p>
<p>So, yes, I think you should take a writing course. However, if those things you listed are in this upcoming year, don't expect a dramatic transformation unless you have the dedication and feedback necessary to really improve.</p>
<p>A great start to improving your writing on your own is to read. If you can't read, you can't write. Reading is the best way to learn, and I'm talking reading books that have some merit here, not Harry Potter.</p>
<p>Also, when writing essays, it helps if you model someone else's (who knows what they're doing) style and format for a little bit, until you get in to your own niche. Not copy, but see what they're doing when they make a point and wrap everything up in a nice bow for the reader.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, good luck. It's always good to see someone wanting to improve their writing skills. =]</p>
<p>Just start reading books for pleasure. The more you read, the more you'll notice and get used to the authors' word choice and syntax, and eventually you'll begin writing similarly to them.</p>
<p>Check out Orwell's and Nabokov's books. Their diction, syntax, and word choice are amazing.</p>
<p>I agree with rusoboy, but you can also keep practicing writing essays, or maybe short stories. I did this a while back and it really helped me improve.</p>
<p>For more reading, I'd recommend Charlotte Bronte and Dickens, they may be boring at first, but their writing is really vivid.</p>