12 Most Rudimentary Ways to Improve Your Writing

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Sports Journalist Red Smith once said, “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”

The quote describes how many people feel about writing. My analytical husband described my reporting job as “writing essays, all day, every day.” To him, writing for a living was akin to a layer of hell. For me, it was a calling from above. I couldn’t believe someone was willing to pay me to do something I loved so much.

Still, I understand that writing is difficult for many people. For those who are more naturally gifted writers, they still have days like Smith described.

Regardless of our skill level, writing is a fundamental form of communication, which all professionals must learn to do well. To become better writers, we must exercise our writing muscles. The best way to become a better writer is to write.

Whether you’re a natural writer or a forced writer, there are simple ways to improve your writing.

1. Plan and outline

It’s weak to sit down at your computer and start typing randomly. As my mentor says, “garbage in, garbage out.” If you don’t plan your writing’s format, you’ll blather. I recommend outlining using the inverted pyramid, the professional writing style of all media outlets.

2. Write in speaking order

We speak in subject-verb-object order. Writing should be constructed this way as well. It helps you write in the most active voice possible. Active writing is shorter and more engaging.

3. Learn AP Style

Associated Press style is the preferred writing style for media writers. If you don’t have an AP Stylebook, I suggest you get one and begin using it daily. It’s clear, concise and standardized professional language. Learn it. Love it. Use it. I promise it will serve you well.

4. Write tight

Mark Twain was quoted as saying he would have written shorter, but he didn’t have the time. It’s easier to write long than it is to write short. However, concise writing is more effective. Pretend like every word you publish costs you a dollar. Be frugal.

5. Never use “very”

Very is a weak substitute for a strong verb or adjective. Don’t use it. Instead of writing it was very cold, write it was frigid.

6. Avoid semicolons

Semicolons are for complex sentences. The best writing is simple and easily understood. If you’re tempted to use a semicolon, break the sentence into two simple sentences.

7. Never use a word you don’t understand

If you don’t understand it, chances are someone else doesn’t either. You want to inform your reader, not confuse them. Use simple words in simple sentences.

8. Save your commas

We litter our writing with more commas than necessary. To avoid this, pretend you only have so many commas to use for the rest of your life. Use them judiciously so you don’t run out.

9. Spell check and proofread

Spell check is a blessing. Always use it. But don’t let spell checking keep you from proofreading too. I know a guy who submitted a paper all about the importance of “pubic relations.” It was for a public relations course. Pubic and public are both words, but I assume their relations are different.

10. Avoid clichés

It doesn’t help your writing to pepper it with overused phrases. It just makes it longer and may insert biased or sexist language. Clichés aren’t worth it.

11. Read aloud

Reading your writing aloud helps test its clarity. Alter any sentence you have to read more than once.

12. Step away

Write, step away for a while (overnight is best) and then return to read your writing aloud. Sometimes you’ll find the piece isn’t as bad as you previous thought. Other times a refreshed view will help you in rewriting. It’s also helpful to print the piece for a fresh read. Reading it on paper instead of a screen sometimes helps you catch errors.

I cannot promise that writing will be easy. In fact, I pretty much guarantee it won’t. There are many more than 12 great writing tips, but these are excellent starting points. If you follow these writing rules, you will see a marked improvement in your writing.

What’s this list missing? Is there a basic tip you use beyond these that helps your writing?

Featured image courtesy of Drew Coffman licensed via Creative Commons.

Kenna Griffin

http://www.profkrg.com

Kenna Griffin (@profkrg) is the blogger behind www.profkrg.com, which aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue between professional journalists and media students and educators. In her spare time she teaches journalism, multimedia, public relations, media law, and media ethics courses as a full-time university professor. Oh, and she is a doctoral candidate in mass communication on the side.