English, for an aspiring attorney

Read the classics.
Pay attention to details such as capitalization and spelling.

Thanks,

And what should I do if I do not understand the meaning of a certain passage, or phrase? Or the context of a certain word? (There are many words in the English language...which can be used differently...depending on circumstances)

Get a dictionary and thesaurus.

Thank you.

Thank you.
---
PM me if anyone comes up with more ideas. I will greatly apprechiate it.

Lash - Thanks for making time to help me with my problems. I will not forget it.

Re: English, for an aspiring attorney


My contributions.

read a few books like Eats Shoots and Leaves

read good literature as well as the classics

ask tutors/A2K anything you can't look up for yourself that you you don't understand - but first try to work it out yourself, research is an important skill

What Craven said. Watch your spelling in particular, as well as your grammar. Your grammatical constructions seem to be fine, but don't be slap-dash about it; take the time to proof-read what you've written and, if you're not sure, look it up.

How do I improve my grammar?

grammar - craven told you earlier!

read books like Eats Shoots and Leaves - which explain it in fun but seriously good way.

A good style manual (I like Chicago Manual of Style but others are good as well) will take you far. You can look up all kinds of things you have questions about, including word usage (effect/affect for example), punctuation (when a comma? when a semicolon?) and proper use of the different parts of speech. It will also give you details about form (how do you address a letter to your Congressman? the Pope?).

Above all, have questions. Look things up if you're the least bit confused. And proofread, proofread, proofread. Take care with the language in your most casual communications. The habit will serve you well when you write in more formal venues.

Read and write. A lot.

I know that sounds very obvious and silly, but this is a skill, just like any other, and it requires practice.

When you read, read higher level books and publications, e. g. the New York Times rather than the National Enquirer. When you write, pay attention to what you say, how to say it succinctly, and also to making it interesting.

The one thing that, I think, really improved my grammatical skills was taking foreign language classes. I never had any English classes where the teachers got into the "nuts and bolts" of grammar, but that sort of instruction was fundamental in my German and French classes. Taking a foreign language makes you conscious of the structure of your own language, which is what grammar is all about. Plus you get the added benefit of learning a new language. It's win-win.

If your school offers a course in Business English (secretarial course), take it.

As mentioned, get a good dictionary, and use it often. You will be amazed at how many words we use without knowing the actual meaning.

Thank you (to all who contributed)

I really appreciate your time and effort. You helped and inspired me!!!

Happy New Years to you all!

Wy is right (as usual) about the Chicago Manual of Style. It's an excellent reference. I have found another reference that is far more accessible in its explanations and clearer in its examples: The Gregg Reference Manual, tenth edition, by William A. Sabin.

I agree with Joe. I learned more about grammar and usage in my foreign language classes than I ever did in English class.

BTW, look up the spelling of "apprechiate." This is wrong.