Writing Concordance System

As an international student, writing in a second language is a tall order; not only with a vast amount of unfamiliar vocabulary, but also grammatical structures are fairly different from my mother language. I started seeking help on the internet on writing concordance system. There are quite a few handy tools to help me with academic writing. In this writing, I will introduce three most effective, beneficial writing tools.

First, Microsoft Word. It is the simplest, most user friendly tool for anybody. Microsoft Word has build-in spelling check. This system is able to recognize any mis-spelled word, and provides feedback instantly by underlining the incorrect word in a different color. With a simple right click, a drop down list occurs for you to choose the correct word as you meant. Not only Microsoft Word can check spelling, but also be able to check grammatical error. If a grammatical error is detected by Word; such as, fragments, run-on, etc., it will appeared as a squiggly line under where the error occurs, and marked with a different color from spelling error. Another unique feature in Word which always unrecognized is the formatting issue. This feature can identify any mis-match formatting appears in the context, it will underline the inconsistency and provides you with choose of corrections. In my opinion, Microsoft Word is one of the most helpful tool attribute to my academic writing. 

Second, Google. It is the most powerful searchin-gine today. The benefits from Google are not related with the use of the English; however, it provides me a vast amount of information for me to construct my writing contents. In academic writing, a straightforward, easy understanding topics, or topics which ones have a colossal amount of knowledge about are seldom. Building thoughts, learning a specific topic could be the most essential step for writing. Google provides knowledge from superficial to academia level. This not only gives me a blatant explanation, but also helps me to recast my thoughts for my writing.

Last but not least, www.dict.cn. It is an online Chinese English dictionary, called “Haici”, used by most English learner from China. I chose this particular dictionary over a number of popular dictionaries for which were majorly used in the States for a various reasons.  This dictionary has a gigantic collection of words, slangs, short phrases, etc. in both languages. The benefit of having both languages is in the moment when a particular expression is needed in the environment of English, I am able to express in my mother language first, and then find its correspondent word in English without losing content accuracy. This helps me broaden my vocabulary in the way I can recall easily in the future. Also, once you look up a new word, it automatically puts a library to store the word you learned. With this feature, I can conveniently recall the words.  Haici not only translate from Chinese to English or vice versa, but also English to English. I always hear people say that the best way to learn a new word is not from the translation of your mother language, but learn from its original language. I cannot agree more on that. The English explanation has its own magic to depict its meaning. Last but not least, this dictionary also provides a pool of synonyms, and antonyms.  In the aforementioned contents on Microsoft Word, another feature in Word is synonyms and antonyms; however, sometimes it isn’t enough or doesn’t have the particular meaning of your desire. But, Haici gives me a vast amount of words either with the same or opposite meaning for my writing needs.

In conclusion, Microsoft Word, Google and Haici are the most effective linguistic and academic writing tools for me. They are not only helping me advancing my English academic writing, but also significantly reduce the time and effort for me in terms of writing. (Lingjuan)