September 21, 2010 6 Comments Under Writing
Ten Ways to Improve Your Writing
I knew I’d be a writer when my eighth-grade English teacher told me to read aloud my essay on her two-page assignment called “If I could go anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?” While everybody else tried to stretch into two pages dreams of DisneyWorld, Six Flags or the beach, I wrote about the religious and historic significance of Rome, and how that one-of-a-kind culture has affected every generation since its Biblical beginnings. Yes, I was a nerd with a penchant for prose. I also easily sunburned.
Throughout my career, my writing skills have served me well. If your career or hobby involves writing (and if you’re practicing public relations, it better), or if you want to improve your writing, how do you hone your skills? Here are ten suggestions:
1) Listen – If you’re saying anything other than “can you elaborate on that?” or “can I verify this?’, you’re talking too much. If you want to be a good writer, be a good listener.
2) Move – Literally, get up and move. If you’re maximizing your brain’s endorphins and all those other chemicals that prompt the creative juices through exercise, then writing becomes more natural.
3) Read – While I’ve no scientific research to support this, I strongly believe that readers make the best writers. Fiction, nonfiction, instruction manuals, food labels, whatever. Just read – and keep a dictionary handy when you stumble upon new words. If you’re not stumbling upon new words, then you’re not reading enough or you’re not reading enough challenging material.
4) Practice - If you dream of making a living by writing, you either better be writing or practicing writing until you get that dream assignment. Write about anything – your feelings, thoughts or memories. Heck, write an essay on “If I could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?”
5) Think – We grew up on “Once upon a time” and “They lived happily ever after”. In general, good writing has a beginning and an end. Think about how to best connect the dots in your work. Use your analytical, logical and problem-solving skills. As one colleague puts it, “when you wrap it up and put the prettiest bow on top, you’re done”.
6) Diversify – Learn to write in different voices. Writing a speech for a corporate CEO is completely different than writing a satirical blog. People are diversified in their vocabulary and inflections; why shouldn’t your writing be as well?
7) Timing – As my first newspaper editor taught me, write when you and/or the content is fresh. As soon as you’ve completed that interview, verified that research or thought of that million-dollar-making strategy, write about it right then.
8) Read aloud – When you think you’ve completed the writing, read it aloud. Does the article flow, make sense, capture your interest and have a point?
9) Feedback - Depending on your time frame, confidence and/or content, you may want to get feedback from either an experienced writer or a subject matter expert. Make only those revisions necessary to clarify content or facts.
10) Edit/Proof – After you’ve read aloud, make necessary edits, and correct grammar or typos. DO NOT RE-WRITE (writers/editors are notorious for “perfecting” their work to the point of having no point). Put down the writing. Go to bed. Repeat the process the following day. Then press the Send button, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
What suggestions do you have for improving your writing?




