To improve your writing, write your draft first and edit it later, take feedback seriously, choose your words with care, use fewer of them in shorter sentences, and check your spelling and punctuation before anyone reads the text. Writing is a skill you can learn, and these 7 tips show how.
Many people think that writing is something you can either do well or not at all, with no middle ground. In reality, most writers will tell you that it took them years to figure it out. It is like anything else: if you want to get better, you have to put in the time and focus on how to improve your writing skills.
How to improve your writing skills
1. Don't edit (in the beginning)
One thing that is difficult for new writers to understand is that writing and editing are not the same thing. If you try to edit while you write, you will hardly get anything done. You will spend so much time on the details that you lose your train of thought, and maybe even your flow or inspiration. Separate writing and proofreading explains why.
One tip is to turn off your monitor while you write. That lets you focus completely on your thoughts and on getting them down.
2. Learn the rules, but break them
There are many "rules" to follow when you write. But if you feel strongly about something, don't be afraid to break them. The originality you show might be what makes your article or book really great. Know a rule well before you break it, though, so that the reader sees a choice and not a mistake.
3. Learn to accept criticism
This is a hard one for many writers. If you want to improve your writing, let other people read it and give you feedback, and learn to accept that feedback. All of it is valuable, even when you don't agree with it.
4. Use a thesaurus
Everyone has favorite words, and it is easy to become too dependent on them. Another good way to improve your writing is to use a thesaurus while you edit. In most word processors, including Word, you can right-click a word to see its synonyms and check whether a more descriptive word works better. Why you should use a thesaurus has more on this.
5. Use fewer words
If you really want to become a better writer, cut the number of words you use while you edit. Writers often become too wordy. Look at each sentence and ask whether you could cut it in half and still make the same point. Redundant words are a good place to start.
6. Shorten your sentences
Another good tip is to make your sentences shorter. A long, drawn-out thought may technically count as a single sentence, but that does not mean it should be one. People can follow long sentences when they listen, and that works fine. However, when you are reading a sentence that is too long and has too many commas, it becomes easy to lose track of its main point, because it goes on for far too long (like the sentence you just read).
Do you really want to improve your writing? Then use shorter sentences.
7. Spelling and punctuation matter
Some people believe that if what you write is compelling enough, it doesn't matter how you write it. That isn't how it works. If you don't take the time to fix your grammar and check your spelling, it will cause problems. In the best case, your errors distract your readers. In the worst case, you lose credibility, and they stop reading because of the errors.
A spell check before you share your text catches most typos and many grammar and punctuation slips, so your readers can focus on what you have to say.