Improving Your Writing

Even though you are not a professional writer, writing probably plays a critical role in your daily work because for sure you have to create emails, memos, reports, and other items that require some writing skills. By following the below mentioned advices, you can make everything you write far more communicative and effective.

Communicate, don't complicate. Write to ensure that your message is conveyed and understood, rather than to impress the recipient. Choose familiar language, basic words, and simple sentence structure. If you really do know what you're talking about, it will come through more clearly. Best of all, there are fewer chances that to be misunderstood.

Abolish semicolons. The semicolon is a very powerful tool when used correctly; most people mistakenly employ it as a fancier comma. Rather than risk a misuse, reword the sentence or break it into two sentences so you don't need the semicolon.

Limit syllables. A great vocabulary is worthy of applause, but it's important to remember that not everyone who will read your writing understands the meaning of perspicacious or lugubrious. So use words like shrewd or dismal, which are more well-known.

Keep it conversational. Unless you're creating a term paper, skip the fancy style in favor of writing the way people talk. It really is okay to start sentences with conjunctions and end them with prepositions, because people do that in conversations. Memos, ads, brochures and websites are more effective when they don't sound like grammar lessons.

Use the second person. Again, unless you're penning an English paper, use the second person (you) in your communications materials. Instead of saying "system users can save time and money," say "you can save time and money." You'll do a better job of connecting with the reader, and at a subconscious level, the reader will believe you're speaking directly with him or her.

Edit your first draft. Most skilled writers put as much effort into editing as into their first drafts. Each time you read what you've written, look for minor changes that will improve it. If you have time, walk away from it, and look at it again after lunch or in the morning. You may be surprised at how much better it reads with a few fixes.