William Shakespeare is celebrated as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist, known as England's national poet and the 'bard of Avon'. His extensive body of work includes thirty-eight plays, one hundred and fifty-four sonnets, and various poems, with performances and translations surpassing any other playwright. The document also discusses effective strategies for improving clarity and focus in academic writing.

1. Clarity & Focus
in Academic Writing

2. A. The English poet and playwright who is widely regarded as the greatest
writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist was
William Shakespeare. The "Bard of Avon" and England’s national poet are
other titles he is known by. Thirty-eight plays, one hundred and fifty-four
sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems are among his
surviving works, including some collaborations. No other playwright’s
plays have been performed more often and his work has been translated
into every major living language.
B. William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded
as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent
dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of
Avon”. His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of
thirty-eight plays, one hundred and fifty-four sonnets, two long narrative
poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every
major living language and are performed more often than those of any
other playwright.
• Which
one reads
better,
and why?

3. A.William Shakespeare was an English poet and
playwright, widely regarded as the greatest
writer in the English language and the world's
pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's
national poet and the "Bard of Avon”. His surviving
works, including some collaborations, consist of thirty-
eight plays, one hundred and fifty-four sonnets, two long
narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays
have been translated into every major living language
and are performed more often than those of any other
playwright.
• Topic
Sentence &
Evidence

4. Compare
“The English poet and playwright who is … was
William Shakespeare.”
“William Shakespeare was an English poet and
playwright …”
• Central
topic at the
beginning
of the
sentence

5. Compare
“The "Bard of Avon" and “England’s national poet” are
other titles he is known by.”
“He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of
Avon”.
• Move from
old to new
information

6. Compare
“Thirty-eight plays, one hundred and fifty four sonnets,
two long narrative poems, and several other poems are
among his surviving works, including some
collaborations.”
“His surviving works, including some collaborations,
consist of thirty-eight plays, one hundred and fifty-four
sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other
poems.”
• Keep the
beginning
of your
sentences
brief and
simple

7. Consider
“His plays have been translated into every major living
language and are performed more often than those of any
other playwright.”
• Place less
important
information
at the start
of your
sentence

8. Three ways that you can achieve this are:
1) Use end position in the sentences for important
information.
2) Use short sentences containing a single main point for
important information.
3) Use embedded clauses within main sentences for minor
supporting points.
• Emphasize
important
points and de-
emphasize
minor points

9. Compare:
a. For a long time, but no longer, Japanese corporations
used Southeast Asia merely as a cheap source of raw
materials.
b. For a long time Japanese corporations used Southeast
Asia merely as a cheap source of raw materials, but
those times have passed.
• Emphasize
important
points and de-
emphasize
minor points