Which sounds better: “Do not do that” or “Don’t do that”? Contractions make your writing less formal and more pleasing to the readers’ ears because that’s what what we hear in everyday conversation.
You may have learned in school that a good sentence must have a subject and verb. Not really. Maybe most of the time. But there are times when our thoughts are best expressed in sentence fragments—just like we talk.
Did you notice that the last sentence began with a conjunction? That’s okay, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want every third sentence beginning with “and.”
When talking with a friend, one thought leads to another in a steady flow. Our writing should be the same way, not choppy sentences tossed back and forth like riding white-water rapids.
Consider this example:
John got up early. He’s usually a late sleeper on weekends. He likes golf. A friend had arranged an early tee time on Saturday. John couldn’t stay in bed. He was up before sunrise. He would never miss a round with his best friend.
In a more conversational style, how might you say that?
John was usually a late sleeper on weekends, but last Saturday he was up before sunrise, loving golf too much to stay in bed, unwilling to miss his tee time and a chance to spend time with his best friend.
When writing, be yourself on paper just like you would be, talking to a person face-to-face.
