4 Writing Faux Pas Most Non-Native English Speakers Make

Most non-native English speakers are guilty of the writing score-reducing mistakes discussed in this article. Make sure you’re not one of them. Avoid committing them during your OET preparation online review sessions to achieve a high score in the writing exam.

1. Inadequate Transition Signals

Did you know that no matter how well-written or profound your composition is, if it lacks a logical flow of ideas, you may still a low score in the writing sub-test? So, don’t forget to use transition signals and phrases. Establish the ideas you want to include in your essay and organize them using an outline. It will help ensure that you’ll tackle all your discussion points.

2. Inconsistent Tenses

This is one of the most common mistakes non-native English speakers commit. Inconsistent—or the unnecessary changing of—tenses does not only make your work grammatically incorrect, but it also confuses your readers regarding the timeframe of your writing. So, be mindful of your tenses. Make sure you change your verb tense only if it’s appropriate the context. Keep these in mind during your OET online review package sessions.

3. Switching Points-of-View (POV)

There are four kinds of POVs: first, second, third (limited), and third (omniscient). Here’s how they differ.

·         First-person POV takes the “I” perspective. The writer is a part of the narrative and he/she is relaying his/her experiences.

·         Second-person POV takes the “you” perspective. The writer is communicating directly with the reader. It is the POV typically used in instructional compositions.

·         Third-person POV takes the “he/she/it” perspective. The writer is removed from or uninvolved in the narrative. It is the POV typically used in formal and fictional writing. It has two types: limited and omniscient. In the former, the writer is privy only to the thoughts of specific characters. In the latter, the writer has access to the thoughts of all the characters.

Some test takers use first-person POV in the first few paragraphs of their essays only to switch to third-person POV in the later passages. Don’t make the same mistake. Determine the POV most appropriate to the task assignment. Then, stick to it. Keep an eye out for inconsistencies in POV when you proofread your work.

4. Wordy Paragraphs

Using flowery words is not a sign of language mastery. So, don’t beat around the bush. Identify your discussion points, expound them, and provide examples. Ensure your word choice conveys your message clearly. Review your final output. Remove words that contribute nothing to the composition.

A great way to avoid committing these mistakes is to keep your readers in mind. Ensure a logical flow. Be consistent with your ideas, use transition signals, and convey your message as clearly as possible. Enroll in one of our OET preparation online courses to learn more ways to enhance your writing skills for the life-changing exam.

References:

“Common Writing Problems for Non-Native Speakers of English.” The Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing. Accessed October 9, 2018. http://www.mhhe.com/mayfieldpub/tsw/esl-link.htm.

“Common Writing Problems for Non-Native Speakers of English.” Accessed October 9, 2018. http://enos.itcollege.ee/~kart/Common_Writing_Problems.TASK.htm.

"Six Common Mistakes in ESL Writing." EnglishClub. Accessed October 9, 2018. https://www.englishclub.com/writing/common-errors.htm.

"Writing Problems in a Second Language: The Lowdown." Bright Hub Education. June 25, 2014. Accessed October 9, 2018. http://www.brighthubeducation.com/language-learning-tips/87480-writing-problems-for-english-as-a-second-language-esl-students/.