9 Tips to Become a Better Writer
Many professionals don’t realize the importance of good writing skills. Whether you’re writing an email, an article, or a book, you’ll have a greater impact on your audience if your writing is informative, concise, and error-free. Read the following tips to become a better writer and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
1. Have something to say The first step to becoming a better writer is to determine your expertise. What are your hobbies? What do you excel at or know a lot about? Which topics are important to you and your peers? Think of what you would like to read about, and start from there.
2. Have a solid vocabulary To be a good writer, you have to be good with words. If you have a good command of the English language you will seem more credible and interesting to your audience. The best way to enhance your vocabulary is to read often. When you come across a word you don’t know, look it up to learn the meaning, and then start using it yourself. Words are a writer’s tools, so learn to use them wisely.
3. Read If you don’t like to read, you can’t possibly enjoy writing. Other writers are the best example of how to do things well – and not so well. Read a wide range of topics and read often. Reading exposes you to new words and different points of view, helping you become a more informative, well-rounded writer.
4. Organize your thoughts This is where all of the practice writing research papers in college comes in handy. Writing those papers taught you how to organize your thoughts in a meaningful way. Create an outline beforehand highlighting your main ideas to help you get started. Having a plan before you begin writing is the best way to ensure that you don’t have to spend hours revising.
5. Consider your audience Take your audience into consideration before you begin writing. That way, you”ll know what tone to use. If you’re writing for professionals, for example, you’ll have to take a much different approach than if you’re writing for entertainment purposes.
6. Say more with less Why use 20 words to say something when 10 is enough? Most people don’t have time to read a long article or email, so out of respect for your audience, keep it short and simple. To be a better writer, focus on precision and clarity. Learning to say what you mean in the least amount of words possible takes practice.
7. Read it out loud A great way to assess the quality of something you have written is to read it out loud. Whether it’s an important email, an essay, or a book, the best way to determine if it flows well is to hear it. A sentence may make sense to you when read it silently, but reading it out loud may help you pick up on small errors that aren’t evident when reading it silently to yourself.
8. Revise The more you revise, the less likely there will be errors. Your writing also becomes more concise each time you edit it. It’s a good idea to have a colleague or peer read your work and offer feedback. Peer reviewing is highly recommended, especially if you have someone you trust who can provide valuable insight.
9. Practice makes perfect The best way to become a better writer is to practice. The more you write, the better you’ll become at writing. Write whenever you get the chance – even if you’re just writing down random thoughts. Begin writing your own blog or become a guest contributor for one of your favorite publications. It doesn’t matter what you write – the point is to just start writing. You can obtain the skills you need to become a better, more effective writer by enrolling at Fremont University. Whether you want to write a novel or just improve your business writing skills, degree programs at Fremont provide you with the necessary skills to write well. We offer degree programs in Multimedia Design, Business Leadership, Paralegal Studies, and Sports Therapy. Contact us today to request a free career guide and to learn more about how Fremont University can prepare you for a rewarding career.