讲课用的textbook: College Writing Skills with Readings, Ninth Edition (美国大学英语写作第九版) by John Langan (available on jd for less than RMB70)。
这是一本不需要老师就可以自学的教科书。才两杯星巴克咖啡的价格。（我一般不光顾中国的星巴克。）
没有教科书，你只是路过看热闹。（就像我路过中国的星巴克。）
You can get a free copy for the 7th edition:
https://blaw05.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/english-skills-with-readings-7th-edition.pdf
but it is a very old version.
Part I: Essay Writing （如何写短文）
Chapter 5: The Fourth Step in Essay Writing
This chapter will show you how to
· revise so that your sentences flow smoothly and clearly
· edit so that your sentences are error free
我讲写作课时一直强调：好文章是改出来的。其中包括改句子。
Revising Sentences
The following strategies will help you to revise your sentences effectively.
1. Use parallelism.
2. Use a consistent point of view.
3. Use specific words.
4. Use concise wording.
5. Vary your sentences.
Use Parallelism (p107 on 9thedition, p124 on 7thedition)
Nonparallel (Not Balanced)
I resolved to lose weight, to study more, and watching less TV.
Parallel (Balanced)
I resolved to lose weight, to study more, and to watch less TV. (A balanced series of to verbs: to lose, to study, to watch)
More examples are given in the book.
Use a Consistent Point of View
Consistency with Verbs
Do not shift verb tenses unnecessarily.
If you begin writing a paper in the present tense, don’t shift suddenly to the past.
If you begin in the past, don’t shift without reason to the present.
Consistency with Pronouns
Do not shift point of view unnecessarily. When writing a paper, be consistent in your use of first-, second-, or third-person pronouns.
上面这些，也是我润色时会关注的。
Use Specific Words
To be an effective writer, you must use specific words rather than general words. Specific words create pictures in the reader’s mind. They help capture interest and make your meaning clear.
Use Active Verbs
Even for research papers, use active voice when you can.
Use Concise Wording
Wordiness—using more words than necessary to express a meaning—is often a sign of lazy or careless writing.
Here are two examples of wordy sentences:
Anne is of the opinion that the death penalty should be allowed.
I would like to say that my subject in this paper will be the kind of generous person that my father was.
Omitting needless words improves the sentences:
Anne supports the death penalty.
My father was a generous person.
Vary Your Sentences
One aspect of effective writing is to vary your sentences. If every sentence follows the same pattern, writing may become monotonous.
We will go into details on this tomorrow.
今天就讲这些。有问题，请留言。
如果你想提高科技英语写作能力，请跟我来...
http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-306792-1146577.html
