10 Tips to Polish Your Writing Skills

Writing is a skill that needs constant improvement.  No piece of writing is truly ever perfect, which is why we must focus on perfecting the writing skills we already have.  Here are some tips and tools to polish your writing skills and become the best writer you can be! 

1. Writing Skills : Keep Things Short.

Paragraphs and sentences that are too long can take away focus from the main idea. It’s best to keep your writing simple and to the point; not everything needs to be described thoroughly. Always remember to show the details, not explain them.

2. Writing Skills : Lose the Filler.

Avoid filler words and phrases such as ‘that’ and ‘I think’. Not using as many words in a sentence will make writing clear and more concise.  Don’t overstate anything; just lay out your main points.

3. Writing Skills : Use Basic Language.

Wording that is too complex can distract readers from what you’re trying to say. Use simple but selective language to express what you mean. Using big words unreasonably won’t make you seem more knowledgeable; it will just make your writing harder to understand.

4. Writing Skills : Create Outlines.

Outline what you are about to write before you write it. Using an outline for your work can help you organize your ideas, ultimately making your writing easier to follow, and it can also make writing less overwhelming when you’re unsure of where to start.

5. Writing Skills : Write Every Day.

When you want to improve a skill, what do you do? Practice! The same goes for writing; the more you write, the better you become. Writing every day can help you figure out what works for you, your writing style, and your interests. It can be as simple as keeping a journal of your daily activities or what you are grateful for. The most important thing is that you write!

6. Writing Skills : Read…Everything.

Reading is the foundation of writing. To become a better writer, you have to understand what makes a piece of writing work. The best way to figure that out is by reading others’ writing. From reading your favourite author to just topics that are interesting to you, it is best to be well-versed in many things. Read instructions, warning labels, anything. Reading can expand your vocabulary and give you an idea about how to improve your work.

7. Writing Skills : Rough Draft Before Final Copy.

Always write a rough draft or ‘bad’ copy before your final draft. Writing a rough draft will help you figure out which ideas you want in your final draft and what ideas do not work. Remember that not every idea is good when first executed, and you may need time to reformat your thoughts to your liking.

8. Writing Skills : Read Aloud.

Read your writing out loud. By reading your work out loud, you are making it easier to catch mistakes you may overlook while just rereading your writing in your head. Reading aloud also enables you to determine a good flow and decide what sounds good.

9. Writing Skills : Use Editing Tools.

Everyone needs a little help. Editing tools such as Grammarly or similar grammar reviewing and proofreading software can help ensure your writing is the best quality. Even the greatest writers make mistakes; fail-proof editing at the tip of your fingers is a big help.

10. Writing Skills : Be Yourself.

Your writing style should reflect who you are. Remember to share YOUR opinions on your topic, not what you think others would like to hear. Make your writing your own; try not to be influenced by others’ writing styles or interpretation of ideas. Hopefully, these tips helped give you an idea of where to start on polishing your basic writing skills. If you ever feel trapped or lost and need a hand, contact iPume Writing, and we’ll help you get started!