The ability to write is now more critical than ever. But what if it’s not your strongest pursuit? There was once a time when we had to walk over to a co-worker’s desk or call their direct line if we needed to ask a question. But now, whether your colleague is on another floor or somewhere across the world, it has become a standard habit to send them messages through email, text, or chat.
This instant change in basic communication has made writing skills pivotal in order to relay messages.
No matter what your reason is for improving your writing skills, whether you just want to be more precise or start a career in writing, you need to learn to be concise and clear. This may sound overwhelming, but with practice and dedication, you’ll be able to become a better writer than you used to be. It takes time. So, work on yourself by implementing these tips into your daily life.
Try to Write Daily
Practice makes perfect, so try to write for at least 10 to 15 minutes a day to improve your skills. You can do this by starting a journal or by writing down your thoughts without worrying too much about grammar and all the rules of writing.
Allow yourself to be free. You can write whatever you want. You may not notice it at first, but your writing skills will significantly improve over time. After you finish writing, use an online tool, such as Grammarly to edit the text. Doing so will help you identify your mistakes and avoid them next time.
Make Reading A Habit
Take some time to expand your writing repertoire by reading every day. Like writing, you are allowed to read whatever you find interesting, whether books, newspapers, or magazines, your writing skills will ultimately benefit from this habit.
However, if you want to take a few more steps forward, it would be crucial to be selective about your choices. Even though daily reading is beneficial in general, the content of what you’re reading may impact what you learn from it.
For instance, if you want to learn about technical matters such as computer engineering and technology, it would be wiser to read about mobile app development, managed IT services or solutions, or programming. In other terms, if you want to excel in writing a specific topic, you need to focus on reading content related to it.
Think About Your Readers
There’s more to writing than grammar and punctuation marks. In writing, you have to remember that “formal” does not always mean old-fashioned or boring. You need to be wise in choosing the words to use and when to insert humor in your content.
Further, you need to practice writing engaging yet informative content to keep your readers hooked. You must put yourself in their shoes and determine if what you have written is clear and direct to the point.
Enroll in an Online Writing Course
There are many free writing courses online to help you improve your writing skills. Enrolling in these courses can help you become a better writer and learn about the basics of writing. Plus, online courses keep on multiplying, and you can seek out free courses offered by Udemy or edX. Universities like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford offer it too!
Learn about the Commonly Misused Phrases and Terms
Always thrive to write and know better. Know the difference between “peak,” “peek,” and “pique.” Which one here do you think is correct: “I could care less” or “I couldn’t care less”? There are several commonly misused phrases and terms out there that you need to be aware of.
One of the best ways to ensure you’re writing well is by learning to identify the differences of similar terms and how to insert them into sentences. Don’t be afraid to search if you have doubts. When you’re uncertain about using a specific word, go to Google.
More Tips For Better Writing
- Be direct and always go straight to the point.
- Choose your words carefully.
- Sometimes, short sentences are better than long ones.
- Write short paragraphs between longer paragraphs.
- Try to write in an active voice.
- Always review and edit your work.
- Try to use a conversational tone.
- Read books written by famous authors.
- Watch movies or documentaries with formal dialogues.
Last but not least, ask for feedback. The best way to know if you need to improve further or if you need to change a few of your writing techniques is by asking a few people to read what you’ve written. Ask them to be honest about their feedback so you can become a better writer.
