As a writer, you are often judged solely by what is on the page or the screen. This means you need to ensure you know exactly what you are doing!
Here’s 12 quick tricks to take your writing to the next level and increase your confidence:
1) Brush up on the basics
The least you can do before you submit or publish is check for basic errors in spelling and grammar. Before you even begin an important writing task, read up on basic grammar rules and sentence structure, and never submit anything without running it through a spell-checker first.
2) Make sure you do your research
A poor writer will try and fill their content with unnecessary adverbs and adjectives, rambling on when they have nothing real to say. Do your research and be concise, so you can stay to the point and use good structure.
Also, read more so you develop an eye for what effective writing looks like. When writing you should be aiming for the professional standard accepted by businesses such as UK dissertation.
3) Analyse!
When you particularly enjoy a book or article, take the time to figure out exactly what makes it great, and try to adopt those techniques into your own writing. If you enjoy reading writing like this, then others probably will too!
4) Imitate!
Most writers spend a lot of time reading, and it rings true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Use their style to improve. (NOTE: imitation is NOT plagiarism! Make sure you know the difference).
5) Outline your writing
Planning is an essential aspect of writing. Without it, you’ll find yourself rambling and confused instead of clear, easy to follow and to the point.
6) Edit, edit, edit – cut, cut, cut!
When you’ve worked hard on a piece of writing, you don’t want it to be proved ineffective due to silly mistakes. This is easily avoidable by engaging a qualified proof reader, or script editor.
7) Find an editor who demonstrates patience
Your editor needs to be passionate about producing -the best work – that requires the patience for multiple drafts and revisions.
8) Cut all those ‘filler’ words
Don’t clutter your work with redundant adverbs or adjectives, keep things simple and get to the point. Here’s some examples.
9) Take a cue from Hemingway
The great author Ernest Hemingway said, ‘The first draft of anything is ‘s***.’ He was dead right. Once you’ve finished a piece of writing, browse through the guides at Australian Help to pick up on any mistakes you’ve made, and correct them before you submit your work.
10) Revisit your early work and see how you’ve grown
It’s completely natural to experience a crisis of confidence, or even writer’s block. Reading over older work and seeing your progress can be inspiring.
11) Write like it’s your job and practice regularly
It takes a lot of time and dedication to meet the standard of a pro writer. However, regular hard work can help you catch up to experts.
12) Don’t delay — Get it done NOW!
Procrastinating can just make your writing tasks seem even more insurmountable. Turn off the TV, sit at a desk, and focus on producing good work.
Last Words:
Hard work is required to improve writing skills, but these tips and tricks are easy to follow, and can help you write your way into bigger and better opportunities. Good luck!
BIO: Brenda Berg is a professional with over 15 years of experience in business management, marketing and entrepreneurship. Consultant and tutor for college students and entrepreneurs at Big Assignments. She believes that constant learning is the only way to success.