Most Common Writing Errors ✔️

Style Over Substance

My one and only point is to not overuse them. Don't go overboard and put a bunch of words no one is gonna know back-to-back. If I have to stop reading to open Google to understand what you're saying, I'm not going to want to read your story.

And this is coming from an English major.

I encourage you to use complex vocab and do research to improve your word choice. At the same time, I encourage you to read your sentences out loud and be honest with yourself about how readable it is. It's okay to have simple sentences, just like how it's okay to have long and/or complex sentences (which we will talk about later). It's all about your intentions and if you're overusing these elements.

2) "Sophisticated" Punctuation

I only say "sophisticated" because semicolons and dashes are considered the more advanced punctuation types that make your writing look more elegant.

There's nothing wrong with using semicolons and dashes.

The problem comes when there are countless semicolons and dashes every chapter. The same could be said for commas, but if I'm being honest, to me, they're much less noticeable than semicolons and dashes.

You'll notice a similar theme in this chapter. I'll be repeating how it's really only a problem when it's in excess or done unnecessarily.

I use semicolons. I use them in almost every chapter I write; however, using them in excess can become distracting. Dashes are similar but we'll get to that in a minute.

The issue I take with semicolon usage on Wattpad is how many people use them wrong and too much. That may be why it's so noticeable to me. As much as I hate Grammarly, I strongly recommend using it to help you identify where semicolons go. Since I already explained the difference between a semicolon and a comma, I will not repeat myself here. I believe I explained it in the "Grammar" chapter.

I cannot tell you how many times I've seen authors use semicolons more than once per paragraph several paragraphs in a row. It's to the point where there isn't any other punctuation. That's when it becomes way too much.

Long story short: Don't use too many semicolons. Use them, sure, but don't overuse them.

Now let's get into dashes.

Okay, maybe this is just my Quotev brain talking, but I need to ask you guys this—why do em dash lovers use them constantly?

When I was on Quotev, I lost count of how many writers loved to use em dashes (—) and used them all the time. When I asked them about it they would tell me they just love using them.

I don't see the appeal of a punctuation mark, but I'm not one to judge. I literally bark for a 28 y/o man who lives on the other side of the globe, I'm really in no position to say anything.

Still, I'd like to understand. If you love using dashes, can you explain why you love using them so much? Not if you like dashes or use them a decent amount, I mean if you love them and use them constantly.

It's like there's no in between. There's the person who loves semicolons and/or dashes, then the person who is kinda just meh with them and uses them out of obligation.

On Wattpad, I don't see as many people overusing dashes. It's mostly a Quotev thing. I don't know why Quotev users want to marry em dashes, but hey, like I said before, who am I to judge?

Long story short, try not to use a bunch of semicolons and dashes back-to-back (and even commas, but this section is about dashes and semicolons so I'm focusing on them).