Ways To Become A Better Writer

By Author: Douglas Walker
Total Articles: 40
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If you write anything on a regular basis - whether it's reports for work, essays for school or college, articles like this one or bigger projects such as books - then the chances are that it's crossed your mind that you could become a better writer. That means different things for different people - it could be speed, it could be better grammar, a wider vocabulary or whatever - but following at least some of these tips should help you to become a better writer.
1. Start now!
Too often, we procrastinate and put off even starting to write.
It's better to start writing or typing and then improve on it later rather than just stare at the cursor flashing on an annoyingly blank screen.
It's not unusual for writing to need time to "warm up" in much the same way a car does. Indeed, if you've ever looked at a course on sales letter writing the near-enough standard advice is to discard your first few paragraphs because they will be essentially waffle and the sales letter won't have got started until it's a few paragraphs in.
So don't wait until the time is right. Start now. And edit later - that uses a different ...
... process in your mind completely and doesn't mix at all well with the writing process.
2. Improve your vocabulary
Most of us have a set vocabulary and a set series of phrases we use. I know that I can tell something I've written near enough at a glance due to the style and phrases used. You can probably do the same.
Find something that will help you widen your vocabulary. Not too wide - you probably still want people to understand what you've written without constantly searching a dictionary - but at least a bit wider.
Crosswords and word puzzles are one way of doing that. Sites like FreeRice are another way (that one gets tricky fast!). But however you decide, play around with the occasional word that stretches your normal writing style even slightly. Over time, you'll find that new words or new ways of saying things almost spring into your mind without trying.
3. Read more
Don't use this as an excuse not to write. And don't use it as an excuse to plaigiarise other authors. And be careful that you don't unknowingly imitiate their style. So you'll need to be a bit cautious but reading other authors is a good way to improve your writing skills.

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