Some people like complicated math, others like conducting science experiments. Then there are those people who are gifted with beautifully fluid writing.
If you are not one of those people who can produce well-written articles, blog posts, or even memos, you might want to know the secret to becoming a better writer.
The truth is, there is no perfect way to make your words flow like Hemingway’s. However, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your writing conveys the points you need while appearing professional and intelligent.
We’re going to look at how you can produce quality work without worrying about who your audience might be. Keep reading for more information!
Read, read, read!
One of the best ways to learn to write well is to read the work of others. We’re not talking about surfing the internet for the latest gossip or flipping through the tabloids.
Read books by various authors and articles on a number of topics to get a feel for flow, punctuation, and even vocabulary you might not have thought to use.
If you read something you don’t like, try to understand why you didn’t like it to avoid making the same mistake.
Besides the fact that reading will help you become a better writer, it’s good for the mind. You’ll learn bits of information that might prove useful later and become a more interesting person overall.
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Practice will make almost perfect
Unless you’re really good at writing, you probably won’t want to sit down to practice this task every day. Unfortunately, this is the best way to get words onto a page better.
Set a goal each day (it could be ten words or a sentence) and write it down or type it out.
Don’t think that just writing these few words will make you the next Nobel Prize winner. As you achieve your simple goal, add to it. Write a paragraph instead of random words or a sentence, or write a quick “how-to” on a topic you know well.
If writing a random paragraph or sentence isn’t appealing, try journaling. Set aside some time each day to simply write down your thoughts, problems, wishes, or dreams. Remember, no one is reading it – the idea is simply to become comfortable writing.
Perfect your grammar
Believe it or not, many professional writers don’t have perfect grammar and don’t understand the English language as well as you might think. So how do they make it seem like this is the case?
Most writers use online editors, spell checkers, grammar tools, and other sites designed for creative process. There are many websites available that will not only tell you if a word is misspelled or used incorrectly, but also if the tense is incorrect or the verbiage is wrong.
Especially if English is not your native language, you should take advantage of these tools available, often for free.
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Describe your work
Although you should never wait until the last minute to start a writing project, sometimes it is unavoidable. When this happens, one of the best ways to complete the job quickly is to outline the work.
You should already know your topic, but that doesn’t mean your article needs a title yet. Instead of focusing on a title, introduction, or conclusion, move straight to describing the body of the work.
This will usually include your subheadings and then bullet points under each one, describing who, what, or why. This will allow you to stay on track while rushing to produce quality work and focus your research on the necessary materials.
Take a class
If you’ve been out of school for several years and haven’t practiced writing since, opting for an evening class might not be a bad idea. Many colleges and universities offer continuing education courses aimed at adults in the working world.
Some of these conferences may be free, while others cost a small fee and span several months. In many of these courses, the instructor will cover the basics like spelling and grammar, as well as the differences between words like “they’re, there, and their.”
At some institutions, you may find that writing courses are offered based on your writing level or industry. Because there are many writing styles, it is wise to consult the instructor beforehand to be sure you are in the best class for your style.
Edit to Become a Better Writer
Most writers are not great editors and most editors are not great writers, especially when it comes to their own work.
After you have outlined your work and written your first draft, step away from the work for a few hours or days. Give yourself time to come back to life and stop thinking about the current project.
Once you’ve given yourself that break, sit down and tear out your writing. Better yet, allow another person or writer to take a look.
Editing is usually a writer’s least favorite part of the creative process, but it is by far the most important. Sometimes you will find that your writing is torn and you may think it is better to start from scratch.
Keep in mind that if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll have to start the editing process again!
It can be a heartbreaking process if you’ve put your heart into what you’ve written. However, for a work-related article, editing will ensure that there are no minor errors that could make you a laughing stock at work.
Keep it simple
Just because a big word seems clever or more authoritative doesn’t mean it should be used. When a text is incredibly long or uses unnecessarily large words, readers tend to get bored.
A bored audience means they will stop reading before getting to the “good stuff” and miss out on all your hard work. Well-written content is crucial!
Unless you’re writing a novel or book, remember that people tend to have very short attention spans. This means keeping words small, paragraphs short, and using bullet points when possible.
Not every topic will appeal to every reader, but it’s important to ensure that your material can be read (and hopefully enjoyed) by a wide audience.
Progress, not perfection
While you may want to produce the most perfect writing that has ever existed, keep in mind that very few writers have ever done it.
This means that instead of focusing on perfection, you should look at the content and any obviously obvious grammatical or spelling mistakes.
Read your work: does it make sense? Are the ideas presented in a way that is fluid and understandable to other readers? If the answers to these questions are yes and there are no major errors, congratulate yourself.
This writing may not be perfect, but it’s progress from the blank page you started with!
Find a writing partner
If you struggle to sit down each day and journal or write a few words, consider finding a writing partner. Ask at your office or search for writing forums.
Chances are you have someone in your life who is also looking for a writing partner – it could even be your best friend!
It can be difficult to learn how to share your work with others, but having a writing partner will allow you to hear an honest opinion and gain insight into your work.
With a writing partner, you’ll also be able to read their work, which can help you hone your editing skills. Additionally, there is a certain responsibility that will require you to write on a daily basis.
Say what you want to say
If you write an opinion piece or for your own blog, don’t dance around the subject. Say what you think and support it. Have supporting arguments to explain why you believe the way you do.
Unless you’re writing a detective novel, don’t be vague. Tell the reader exactly what you think, without making them guess what you are trying to say.
When you have the chance to write a piece that allows you to use your own voice, USE IT! Don’t try to upset your readers, but say what you think or feel about a particular topic.
Improve writing skills
To become a better writer, you don’t necessarily have to do everything on this list at once. In fact, if you just find one or two things to apply to your daily writing, you’ll see a marked improvement in your skills.
The key to improving your writing skills lies in your desire to do so. If your goal is to become a better writer and you work at it, your writing will improve.
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Article by Gaurav Jain
Hi!My name is Gaurav Jain, a full-time affiliate marketer since 2007. The reason I started the eMoneyIndeed.Com blog is to help you save and earn money online. I write about blogging, online marketing, web hosting, SEO, affiliate marketing, startups, social media, email marketing and more. I hope you enjoy the posts on eMoneyIndeed.com
