10 ways to become a better writer

Writing well is difficult, but it is an important skill to master. (Rawpixel pic)

Writing is a challenging task for many. But writing skills can be improved with some discipline and being open to learning new things.

Obviously, spending more time on writing and reading a lot can help, but there are other ways to improve one’s writing skills.

Here are 10 simple ways to start improving as a writer right now.

1. Make things simple

While having a large vocabulary is nice, it is not necessary to write well. Using big words and complex sentence structures can make it harder for readers to understand the message.

2. Use short sentences

Long sentences can be hard for readers to follow. A length of 25 words or less is the rule of thumb. Most long sentences can be shortened or broken up for easier reading. Here are some tips for writing shorter sentences:

• Read the sentence aloud, if one needs to take a breath before completing it, it should be shortened or broken up.
• Avoid wordiness by taking away unnecessary modifiers and breaking up long descriptions into several sentences.
• If the topic is complex, balance it by using short sentences to explain things. It may sound choppy, but readers will remember a short sentence better than a long explanation.
• Avoid clutter, especially if a sentence contains several points. It is best to break them into a list.

3. Avoid redundancy

Readers get the point the first time. Explaining things again is a waste of time and space.

Those trying to hit a word count would be better off adding relevant and useful information instead.

4. Take out the fluff

It is not necessary to add filler words that do not contribute anything to the content or for the reader.

5. Structure it tight

This is similar to removing fluff, although this is about reducing the overall word count. If the same thing can be explained with half the words, do so. This will save the reader’s time.

6. Avoid using clichés

Most English-speaking and non-native English speakers are familiar with idioms and old sayings. Not all make literal sense and they contribute little to the writing.

7. Use the active voice

Use the active voice whenever it is suitable. It is a shorter and clearer approach to express thoughts to readers.

8. Avoid using empty words

Certain words are overused to the point they do not add any significance to the writing. For example, amazing or awesome are unnecessary. Replace them with better phrases for more impactful writing or remove them.

9. Use proper nouns and watch the adverbs

Using proper nouns is a great way to add interesting information to an article and adverbs can add diversity to actions.

That being said, a more specific verb that removes the need for an adverb can also be used.

10. Proofread, edit and correct mistakes

Reread the entire piece. Remove any words that are not needed. Choose more suitable words, rewrite anything that is not clear and remove typos and grammar mistakes.

This article first appeared in jobstore.com

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