Editing Work, Thoughts on Writing

It’s the DSE English Language paper that deserves a bad grade

Recently, a Hong Kong parent reached out to me. My child has to sit for her DSE in a few weeks, she said. Can you help her tackle the writing section of her English Language paper on short notice? Even though I’m a writing coach, I’m probably the worst person to turn to if it’s… Continue reading It’s the DSE English Language paper that deserves a bad grade

Editing Work, Thoughts on Writing

Learning the ABCs of persuasive writing from 陳茂波’s WSJ letter

Many people in Hong Kong cheered when the Wall Street Journal branded Paul Chan Mo-po (陳茂波) an “illusionist” for bothering to write to the paper to persuade its readers that Hong Kong should have been included in the Heritage Foundation's Freedom Index.   A sense of vindication, however, is far from the only positive thing… Continue reading Learning the ABCs of persuasive writing from 陳茂波’s WSJ letter

Thoughts on Writing

“An infinite capacity for taking pains”

“Didn’t you know there’s a difference between ‘indicate’ and ‘point out’?” my tutor at Oxford University fired this question at me after noting I’d been using both words interchangeably.  The class was supposed to be on philosophy, but back then, my sensitivity towards English was so wanting that my tutor would often opt to teach… Continue reading “An infinite capacity for taking pains”