The need of good writing is encountered by us all at some point in our lives. Whether it is an essay, an exam, a report, or your thesis, you need to write perfectly if you are to secure a praiseworthy grade. Even though practice is what makes one perfect, here are eight literary hacks that might help you gain an edge.

1. Using the Colon: An Absolute Must.

You'll find in good literature how authors make use of the colon to emphasize what needs emphasis, or to introduce a certain quality or qualities of an object, thought, or person mentioned before it. For instance.

I remember him exactly as he was before: clever, cunning, and cruel. 

In the example above, you are spared from the use of another sentence. And that of a period. Instead, a colon has been placed, giving the sentence conciseness. This hack can be used in formal writing as well; it is not confined to any particular style of writing.


2. The Use of a Comma with "too."

Remember, whenever the word "too" is being used — if in lieu of also — then a comma should be placed before it.

I like to read, paint, and write, too.

However, if there are more words accompanying such a too, then this too will have a comma behind it and in front of it.

He wanted to attend the party, too, but couldn't go with his friends.


3. Use Only a Single Exclamation Point!

We tend to overuse this poor old thing, don't we? Either when we're too excited or by just habit. If seen professionally, writing with more than a single exclamation point on the same line, the same paragraph, page, even the same chapter, is seen as bad. Use an exclamation when really, absolutely necessary.

Wrong: Hello!!! How are you!!!!!!!!! It's been a long time!!!!!!!!!!!

Right: Hello. How are you? It's been a long time.

Another thing to remember: Is what you're trying to add an exclamation point to really, really surprising? Is it expressing fear, disgust, happiness? If yes, and if you feel like you really need to add an exclamation point and that it's necessary, then by all means do it.

Wrong: I won in the damn Olympics.

Right: I won in the damn Olympics!

Here, it is necessary to place a mark of exclamation, because — well — winning in the Olympics is a pretty big deal.


4. Italicizing Words.

It adds sophistication to writing if certain words that require stress and emphasis are italicized. However, italicizing can be tricky, and if you choose the wrong word, then this little act might end up altering the meaning of the entire sentence.

Alan said, "I want more coffee."

In the example above, Alan wants more coffee, because he likes it or his previous fill wasn't enough. If "coffee" had been italicized, it would've meant that Alan was being given something else instead of coffee. You can see in this example that the word needing to be italicized isn't, but the rest of it is. Why is this? Here is why: If you need to italicize a word in an already italicized sentence, then leave it be. To make it stand out. That's the rule.


5. The Ellipsis...

This pair of dots is used rather rarely. Or by rare people. It can be used for a number of reasons. If, for example, a character has just began eavesdropping, and heard from in between.

"...was all he had to say."

Or, if you need to stress over an event or occurrence, usually when revealing plot twists.

He was dead...

There are other uses for this unusual punctuation. The internet has tons of information. Mind a little browsing?


6. Always Place the Period Inside.

When using commas, double and single, and if a period is ending the sentence, make sure you place it inside of the commas.

Wrong: She chose "Dauntless".

Right: She chose "Dauntless."


7. Capitalize Headings Properly. 

This can be a little tricky; one can't remember exactly what needs to be capitalized and what doesn't. All three articles, of course, never get capitalized if they're not the first word of the heading. You can refer to an online capitalization tool called TitleCap. Just copy/paste your headings into the given space on their website and watch the magic happen.

Choose the third option from the given options!


8. The Interrobang?!

Although considered nonstandard punctuation, many writers use the interrobang — either ?! or !? — in their writings. It is used when a sentence contains both a question and surprise. It wouldn't look nice in professional writing, though; use it when you're not writing professionally.

There have to be more hacks out there, written by experts and professionals. For example, the use of who and whom, and many, many more. Perfect these eight. If you're hungry for more, then the internet's your best friend.

Isn't it?