3 Tips to Be a Better Writer
Writing is a tough business. You start with a few words then stall out. Then you hit writers block completely after trying again (trust me I’ve been there many times). Sometimes the writing comes naturally; other times not at all. I’ve sat down and rewritten hundreds if not thousands of papers because I was tired of how it sounded, or I thought this just misses the point completely (who hasn’t?). But I’ve one thing I’ve learned is there is always a way around our more difficult challenges writing even if it seems impossible. Here are some of my favorites:
First, focus on how the words sound. Does your writing read smoothly? Can the reader easily follow along? The words you choose should harmonize together and complement each other. You don’t want to be “not good enough” in one sentence then inadequate in another or ambivalent in one then not certain after. Try to make your word choices consistent and match your general flow. If you start simple stay simple. That way the reader isn’t struggling to interpret your message because you chose a complicated word out of nowhere. This allows your text to flow smoothly.
Next consider how the text looks. Don’t make paragraphs too long if they don’t need to be. Most topics can be explained in a few brief sentences so aim to keep them under 7 in total. That way you get your point across quickly. Also, consider your font choice. Times New Roman has a more academic and classical look while Arial is more modern like handwriting and blogging. The one you choose can create an impression for the reader that tells them the style and flow of your article before they even read it.
Finally, make or choose a topic people are interested in. I like combining subjects such as blogging and artwork. Why? Because its uncommon and most readers don’t expect there to be a relationship between the two. That’s is one way to do it. Another way would be to offer fresh insights on old topics such as tips for writing! People don’t always want to read another article on user stories and boosting team morale that have been covered a thousand times before. Offer something you personally thought of that others may want to hear-in other words, something that can be added to the topic. Topic choice should be relevant, new, and engaging above all.
I’ve written plenty of good articles using these tips. I’ve also written plenty of bad ones. The point is that by using these tips you can become more skilled as a writer. You can learn to control your words and convey your thoughts easier. It encourages you to slow down, and choose a word that fits with your other ones, even select a topic that interests those who may not have heard it before. It takes patience, but if you put these guidelines into practice it can make a big difference in your writing. We all know it isn’t always easy.