Jackie Said:

Is it appropriate to assume that a writer is a non-native (English) speaker based on their writing alone?

We Answered:

There are some characteristic mistakes that non-native speakers tend to make- for example, people whose native language is one of the Slavic languages tend to have problems with articles, Koreans and Chinese tend to use "people say/do" instead of the passive voice, Germans tend to have problems with some phrasal verbs and with gerunds, etc.
Maybe your neighbor made many mistakes similar to those, so the instructor assumed that he was non-native (or his essay was very poorly written). I think the instructor was just trying to be helpful, so your neighbor should not be offended.
That being said, I have met many non-natives who have excellent writing skills, and many college-educated natives who have very poor writing skills.

Ken Said:

writing skills?

We Answered:

Dont worry about it too much, some people just get it, some dont.
I was always an A student when it came to creative writing, but totally hopeless at maths, I couldnt divide a fraction to save my life.

You really should just write what your thinking, to be honest, if they can see that your not really very good at it, they may understand.

Dont use someone elses template, they will be able to tell.

maybe you could look into being tutored by a fellow student or teacher?

It seems ironic to me that they want you to write a letter explaining why you failed english, maybe the letter will tell them why.

You just need some encouagement and ideas, and you will be fine.

Joyce Said:

How can I improve my writing?

We Answered:

I am a Professional Writer pursuing an honors BA at York University. Indeed, one of the best ways to improve your writing and comprehension skills is through reading. This is because when you are reading you are constantly exposed to new words, and different uses of the same word. Reading helps improve the imagination by expanding your vocabulary. A keen imagination is key to writing successfully, writing is not just a tool to communicate what one thinks, but also how to connect with the reader and transfer your views and feelings effectively making them part of the reading experience.

If you would like to communicate and share work, views, and ideas, you can contact me at da_beat_goez_on@hotmail.com. As I get dozens of emails on an ongoing basis, this will stop me from deleting your email prematurely. Please place in the subject line of the email: Professional Writing 1980.

Phyllis Said:

how to improve my writing skills ?

We Answered:

Read books on writing as well as other work by other writers. Most strong writers are avid readers as well. Reading enhances vocabulary, gives insight to other writing styles and techniques and keeps creativity flowing.
Step2Enroll in classes and workshops to develop your craft. Not only will you learn new methods, but you can network and make contact with other writers as well.
Step3Proof and edit carefully. Proofreading and editing are essential to good, solid writing. First drafts are rarely going to be your final version.
Step4Solicit feedback from a trusted friend or colleague. It will help to have a different perspective. Develop thick skin and use constructive criticism and advice to improve your skills.
Step5Use resources such as a thesaurus, dictionary and AP Stylebook. These are standard writing tools that every writer should have.
Step6Keep writing. Any writer will tell you that the key to writing is to write every day, even when you don’t feel like it.

Leslie Said:

Please help me to improve my writing skills?

We Answered:

simple. just follow this steps:

1. find out what area interests you the most, in writing. It might be business articles, reports, short stories or even poems. You need to find the topics that you are very passionate about.

2. read a lot of material in your area of interest Notice how senteces are framed and how the overall flow of the draft changes.

3. decide on a topic you want to write, and sketch a short outline of your draft. The outline may be in bullet points, or it can be just simple broken sentences.

4. think about each point / sentence and try to explain it, as if explaining it to your friend. Write down your thoughts / explanations freely.

5. now fine tune your draft. Frame the senteces correctly, and check the overall flow. Add, remove or change the location of sentences to keep the flow smooth.

6. check for any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

7. your draft is ready ! consider publishing it in a related magazine or paper, and improve your credibility as a writer. People will take you seriously as a writer, if you got some published past articles or reports.

Jeff Said:

How to improve writing skill? (ESL college student)?

We Answered:

Read more (more of the classics, not those tabloid magazines on supermarket shelfs). The more you read, the better usage of the English language you'll master.
good luck.