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Author coach certification course

10 Writing Terms
New Writers Overlook Mastery Module

A sharper sentence. A stronger voice. A manuscript that reads like you meant every word.

10 focused lessonsHands-on editingCompletion certificate

What you’ll take away

  • Recognise ten patterns that weaken prose.
  • Edit for clarity without losing your voice.
  • Apply a repeatable manuscript editing routine.

Your practice, your pace

Read each lesson, try the rewrite, then mark it mastered when you can apply the idea. Use the sprint to practise and the worksheet for your own book. All ten mastered lessons unlock a self-assessed completion certificate—not an accredited qualification.

Preview every lesson freely.

The ten lessons

Read. Rewrite. Master.
01

Grammatical Expletive

An empty opening such as “there is” or “it is” that delays the real subject.

Why it’s missed

It sounds natural in conversation, so it slips into a first draft.

Why it matters

A clear subject gives a sentence energy and direction.

Weak

There are three habits that helped me write.

Better

Three habits helped me write.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

there is, there are, it is. Move the real subject to the front.

It is important that writers develop a daily routine.

Author’s note: Keep an empty opening when it creates deliberate suspense—not by default.

02

Register

The level of formality and vocabulary you choose for your reader.

Why it’s missed

We borrow the tone of emails, academic papers or social media without noticing.

Why it matters

A consistent voice helps readers trust the narrator.

Weak

The aforementioned experience was, like, super transformative.

Better

That experience changed how I saw my work.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

aforementioned, super, slang and jargon. Match your vocabulary to your reader.

The participant was totally discombobulated by the aforementioned event.

Author’s note: Memoir dialogue can change register; the surrounding narrative should feel intentional.

03

Parallelism

Using matching grammatical shapes for ideas of equal importance.

Why it’s missed

Lists grow one item at a time during drafting.

Why it matters

Matching patterns make ideas easier to follow and remember.

Weak

My goals were to write daily, editing chapters and a published book.

Better

My goals were to write daily, edit chapters and publish a book.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

lists joined by and, or, not only / but also. Give each list item the same grammatical form.

Writing needs patience, to practise and being curious.

Author’s note: Read a list aloud; a broken rhythm often reveals a broken pattern.

04

Transition Words

Words or phrases that show the relationship between ideas.

Why it’s missed

The connection is obvious in the writer’s head, but not on the page.

Why it matters

Readers need to know whether an idea adds, contrasts or follows.

Weak

I wanted to write. I feared criticism.

Better

I wanted to write. Yet I feared criticism.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

however, therefore, moreover; abrupt paragraph starts. Name the connection, then choose one bridge.

I had no outline. I started drafting. The chapters repeated themselves.

Author’s note: A transition cannot repair faulty logic; check the relationship first.

05

Wordiness

Using more words than an idea needs.

Why it’s missed

Long phrases can feel more polished or authoritative.

Why it matters

Unnecessary language slows the reader and hides the point.

Weak

At this point in time, I am in the process of writing.

Better

I am writing now.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

in order to, at this point in time, due to the fact that. Replace a long phrase with a short equivalent.

Due to the fact that I was tired, I made the decision to stop.

Author’s note: Cut repetition, not the sensory detail that makes a scene alive.

06

Echo Words

Unintentional repetition of a noticeable word in nearby sentences.

Why it’s missed

You remember the idea, not the words you just used.

Why it matters

Accidental echoes can distract from the story.

Weak

The journey was difficult. During the journey, I learned to trust the journey.

Better

The journey was difficult. Along the way, I learned to trust myself.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

repeated nouns, verbs and distinctive adjectives. Delete, recast or use a precise alternative.

The lesson was clear. This lesson became the lesson I taught others.

Author’s note: Intentional repetition can be powerful. Keep it when it earns its rhythm.

07

Filler Words

Words that add little meaning, emphasis or precision.

Why it’s missed

Speech habits travel into prose.

Why it matters

Removing empty qualifiers lets strong details carry the sentence.

Weak

I was really very nervous and basically just waited.

Better

I was nervous and waited.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

really, very, basically, just, actually. Remove the filler; check whether meaning changes.

I actually just really wanted to finally begin.

Author’s note: A filler may belong in a character’s voice. Edit narration and dialogue differently.

08

Nominalization

Turning an action into a noun, often hiding who does it.

Why it’s missed

Abstract nouns sound official and professional.

Why it matters

Clear verbs make non-fiction more direct and actionable.

Weak

The implementation of the plan was undertaken by me.

Better

I implemented the plan.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

-tion, -ment, -ance; make a decision. Restore the verb and name the actor.

The completion of the revision was achieved by our team.

Author’s note: Not every noun needs changing. Keep useful concepts; uncover buried actions.

09

Sentence Variety

Varying sentence length, openings and structure to shape rhythm.

Why it’s missed

A comfortable drafting pattern becomes a habit.

Why it matters

Rhythm holds attention and directs emphasis.

Weak

I opened the notebook. I picked up a pen. I began to write.

Better

I opened the notebook and picked up a pen. Then I wrote.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

three consecutive sentences with the same opening. Combine one sentence; shorten another.

She opened the door. She saw the room. She remembered her childhood.

Author’s note: Short sentences can sharpen a revelation. Longer ones can stretch reflection.

10

Hedging

Qualifying a claim to express uncertainty or limit its scope.

Why it’s missed

Caution becomes automatic, even for personal experience.

Why it matters

Too much hedging weakens authority; too little can overstate evidence.

Weak

I think it might perhaps be somewhat useful to practise.

Better

Daily practice helped me build confidence.

Quick fix · Ctrl+F

perhaps, might, somewhat, I think, seems. Keep warranted uncertainty; remove duplicate qualifiers.

It seems that perhaps this habit might possibly help some writers.

Author’s note: Keep careful qualifiers for research claims. Your experience is not universal proof.

Put it into practice

The editing sprint

Ten messy sentences. One editing pass. Find the patterns before revealing a possible revision.

There are several habits that are really very useful to writers. I made the decision to basically begin. My goals were writing daily, to edit carefully and a finished book. The aforementioned journey was super hard. The journey taught me lessons about the journey. I had no outline. I repeated the same ideas. The completion of the draft was achieved by me. I wrote a page. I wrote another page. I wrote a final page. I think perhaps the routine might possibly help me.

Your ten-point editing pass

The desk-side cheat sheet

TermWhat to Search ForFix in 5 Seconds
Grammatical Expletivethere is, there are, it isMove the real subject to the front.
Registeraforementioned, super, slang and jargonMatch your vocabulary to your reader.
Parallelismlists joined by and, or, not only / but alsoGive each list item the same grammatical form.
Transition Wordshowever, therefore, moreover; abrupt paragraph startsName the connection, then choose one bridge.
Wordinessin order to, at this point in time, due to the fact thatReplace a long phrase with a short equivalent.
Echo Wordsrepeated nouns, verbs and distinctive adjectivesDelete, recast or use a precise alternative.
Filler Wordsreally, very, basically, just, actuallyRemove the filler; check whether meaning changes.
Nominalization-tion, -ment, -ance; make a decisionRestore the verb and name the actor.
Sentence Varietythree consecutive sentences with the same openingCombine one sentence; shorten another.
Hedgingperhaps, might, somewhat, I think, seemsKeep warranted uncertainty; remove duplicate qualifiers.

Your manuscript worksheet

Bring your own sentences. Original → My fix. Signed-in work saves when you leave each field.

Sign in above to save your manuscript worksheet.

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

Original → My fix

A milestone worth keeping

Master all ten lessons to unlock your certificate. 10 to go.

Author Payal · The writing studio

Certificate of Completion

Your name here

10 Writing Terms New Writers Overlook — Mastery Module

Coach Payal Patnaik · Book Coach & Author

Original exercises by Author Payal’s writing studio. Inspired by Just Publishing Advice: Writing Terms New Writers Overlook.