WRITE BETTER, with these SIX RULES!! (

[@somethingspecific3619]

I fled my house on Monday as an earthquake hit where i live in Latakia, Syria. We're still in risk and anxiety and fear are at an all-time high. Listening to you, however, calms me down. University of Oxford, thanks! ❤️

[@Star_Killer-rr8ny]

stay safe man

[@RockDove5212]

Something specific you are in my prayers🙏❤️ I'm so sorry for the suffering of your country.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I’m so sorry. Please stay safe. Wishing you all the best.

[@lemon9389]

Your altruism never ceases to amaze me, thank you for helping thousands of students just because you can and even though you are not getting anything in return. Thank you :) (also very long sentences i probably didn’t takeaway as much as i should haha)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you! That’s so kind of you.

[@sitrakaforler8696]

00:04 Writing clearly is crucial for effective communication. 02:00 Metaphors and similes can make writing zingy and poetic but can be problematic in academic essays. 04:05 Avoid using metaphors and long words in essays :) 06:01 Simple language is more accessible and effective (be simple) 07:53 Use shorter and clearer sentences for better communication. 09:58 Avoid using passive form for clear communication (AXIOS) 12:11 Avoid using excessive technical words in writing. 14:22 Using direct and clear language is crucial for effective writing. 16:34 be BARBAROUUUUUUS. Thank you very much for the upload Pr Matt! I will be back in Oxford this summer and Jesus' College is certainly one of the kindest (thus I will try to visit it if it is possible hahahaha ...Dam I need to practice those writing rules)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment!

[@nemo-su6du]

Be BARBAROUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@nemo-su6du]

i wish i spared myself the whole 16 mins and just read this comment.

[@Eyespy743]

@nemo-su6du An Oxford Professor providing free tutorials available on the web and your only concern is wasting 16 minutes! Entitlement and ungrateful much?

[@journalsbyjennifer]

This was truly helpful and was released at just the right time. I have just started writing an essay worth 50% of my grade, thus these tips will be extremely useful to me. Thank you for your advice!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Pleasure! Thanks for your comment

[@beatrizcascelli]

Dr. Matt, thank you for existing, you have helped me so much!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great -- thanks!

[@ioakimmakis9288]

One more helpful video of yours. As a Kansas State graduate in JMC (print) and Poli Sci, I advise all Uni students to take intro level JMC (print) classes. These courses will definitely help them to improve their essay writting skills. (wondering if there are print JMC courses nowadays)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks! Sounds good.

[@MartinGarthwaite]

How did I not know about this book! My writing is relatively weak (I am a graduate of Oxford, Catz 2013, History of Design), and I read a few books on essay writing that have not helped. Orwell's nonfiction, Down and out in Paris and London and The Road to Wigan Pier, are brilliant examples. I have a dissertation at Cambridge, which is 2 years overdue. I have no excuse now. I thought I had read all of Orwell's nonfiction, so thank you. This may be the most important book I have ever read.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment. I hope the book helps. Also very good is this book: www.amazon.co.uk/Stylish-Academic-Writing-Helen-Sword/dp/0674064488

[@MartinGarthwaite]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thank you very much, purchased!!

[@eboy4421]

This video is beneficial, thanks Mr. Orwell

[@journalsbyjennifer]

Rule 1 - 1:51 Rule 2 - 4:48 Rule 3 - 7:43 Rule 4 - 9:26 Rule 5 - 11:22 Rule 6 - 13:33

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you! I should get better at providing chapters!

[@fionascott-dawe9605]

As I scrabble to finish my assignment for Hilary Term exam date, looking at my inclusion of, ecclesiology, eschatology and polity in the introduction to hide my own perceived inadequacy as an imposter, I’ve clearly broken rule 2, 3 & 4 ! 😂 I wish there were academic writing skills tutorial for dyslexics in Oxford 😢 Thank you for your wonderful videos

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you! And I break the rules all the time. They’re surprisingly hard to follow!

[@Eyespy743]

Oxford student here, please contact the disability adviser, if you haven’t already. They can provide support and recommend adjustments for students with dyslexia and other learning and health concerns that may affect learning.

[@matthewtelepneff2168]

Again, great stuff. I always fall into the trap of using unnecessary words, my sentences are a bit too long as well. But will work on that after watching this. Where did Orwell learn to write?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks! Good question. Orwell sent to Eton. Maybe he learnt to write there!

[@bencnnw]

You are single-handedly making sure I don't bomb my entire academic career :) Have you ever managed to overcome the self-doubt? I felt an existential crisis yesterday morning and I don't think I can go through that again, lol.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks! No, I haven’t overcome the doubt entirely. But that keeps me keen, I think! All best to you.

[@priyankapandya7868]

Thank you for this

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

My pleasure!

[@raymondwilson293]

Found, Why I Write, in a book of Orwell's essays that I have. (Everyman's Library)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great!

[@RockDove5212]

Hhmmm....our language has been dumbed down so much ...but yes, overly complicated sentences make me want to scream, so pompous and tedious. Using 'long' words obtrusively is just maddening to read and really hinders the flow of the writer's voice. However, so many beautifully expressive words aren't being used now and more general and bland alternatives are used😟 which is a shame. I remember at uni our English tutor talking about cutting out unnecessary words and telling us a story about someone leaving a long letter , or note, for someone and writing, "sorry it's so long but I didn't have time to write a short one."

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I agree. Orwell’s sixth rule offers a way out. He used plenty of long complicated words, but did so sparingly.

[@RockDove5212]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 I see! Thank you for your response🙂