{"id":434834,"date":"2018-06-24T10:32:09","date_gmt":"2018-06-24T10:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essaypaper.org\/wpp-improve-your-writing-skills\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T08:57:22","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T08:57:22","slug":"wpp-improve-your-writing-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wpp-improve-your-writing-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Wpp improve your writing skills"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Perhaps you have dreams of becoming the next Great Novelist. Or maybe you just want to be able to better express your thoughts and ideas more clearly. Whether you want to improve your writing skills as a creative writer or simply perfect your skills for schoolwork, you can take some steps to learn how to be a better writer. Becoming a great writer\u2014or even a good writer\u2014takes practice and knowledge, but with enough hard work perhaps someday somebody will aspire to be the next you<\/i> !<\/p>\n

Steps Edit<\/h2>\n

Method One of Four:
Improving the Basics Edit<\/h3>\n

Use active instead of passive voice.<\/b> One of the most common manifestations of bad writing is overuse of the passive voice. In English, the most basic sentence structure is S-V-O: Subject-Verb-Object. \u201cThe zombie bit the man\u201d is an example of this sentence structure. The passive voice can cause confusion by putting the object first: \u201cThe man was bitten by the zombie.\u201d It usually requires more words and use of a \u201cto be\u201d verb form, which can suck the energy out of your writing. Learn to avoid these constructions as much as you can. [1] <\/p>\n

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  • Using the passive voice isn\u2019t always bad. Sometimes there is no clear way to make a statement active, or sometimes you want the lighter touch a passive construction allows. But learn to follow this rule before you start making exceptions.<\/li>\n
  • The main exception to this is science writing, which conventionally uses the passive voice to put the emphasis on the results, rather than the researchers (although this is changing, so check the guidelines before you write). For example, \u201cpuppies fed spicy dog food were found to have more upset stomachs\u201d puts the emphasis on the finding rather than the person doing the finding. [2]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    Use strong words.<\/b> Good writing, whether it\u2019s in a novel or a scholarly essay, is precise, evocative and spiced with the unexpected. Finding the right verb or adjective can turn an uninspired sentence into one people will remember and quote for years to come. Look for words that are as specific as possible. Try not to repeat the same word over and over unless you are trying to build a rhythm with it. <\/p>\n

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    • One exception to this is the words used to describe dialogue. Bad writing is filled with \u201che commented\u201d and \u201cshe opined.\u201d A well-placed \u201csputtered\u201d can work wonders, but most of the time a simple \u201csaid\u201d will do. It may feel awkward to use the word \u201csaid\u201d over and over, but changing it up unnecessarily makes it harder for your readers to get into the back-and-forth flow of the conversation. \u201cHe said\/she said\u201d becomes nearly invisible to your readers after a while, allowing them to stay focused on the characters\u2019 voices. [3]<\/li>\n
    • Strong doesn\u2019t mean obscure, or more complicated. Don\u2019t say \u201cutilize\u201d when you could say \u201cuse.\u201d \u201cHe sprinted\u201d is not necessarily better than \u201che ran.\u201d If you have a really good opportunity to use \u201cameliorate,\u201d go for it\u2014unless \u201cease\u201d is just as good there.<\/li>\n
    • Thesauruses can be handy, but use them with caution. Consider the predicament Joey from Friends<\/i> gets into when he uses a thesaurus without also consulting a dictionary: \u201cThey\u2019re warm, nice people with big hearts\u201d becomes \u201cThey\u2019re humid, prepossessing homo sapiens with full-sized aortic pumps.\u201d [4] If you\u2019re going to use a thesaurus to spice up your vocabulary, look up your new words in the dictionary to determine their precise meaning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Cut the chaff.<\/b> Good writing is simple, clear and direct. You don\u2019t get points for saying in 50 words what could be said in 20, or for using multi-syllable words when a short one does just as well. Good writing is about using the right words, not filling up the page. It might feel good at first to pack a lot of ideas and details into a single sentence, but chances are that sentence is just going to be hard to read. If a phrase doesn\u2019t add anything valuable, just cut it. [5] <\/p>\n

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      • Adverbs are the classic crutch of mediocre writing, and they often serve only to clutter up a sentence. A well-placed adverb can be delightful, but much of the time the adverbs we use are already implied by the verb or adjective\u2014or would be if we had chosen a more evocative word. Don\u2019t write \u201cscreamed fearfully\u201d \u2014 \u201cscream\u201d already suggests fear. If you notice that your writing is filled with \u201c-ly\u201d words, it might be time to take a deep breath and give your writing more focus. [6]<\/li>\n
      • Sometimes cutting the chaff is best done at the editing stage. You don\u2019t have to obsess about finding the most concise way to phrase every sentence; get your ideas down on paper however you can and then go through to edit out unnecessary stuff.<\/li>\n
      • Your writing doesn\u2019t just exist in a vacuum\u2014it\u2019s experienced in conjunction with the reader\u2019s imagination. You don\u2019t need to describe every detail if a few good ones can spur the reader\u2019s mind to fill in the rest. Lay down well-placed dots and let the reader connect them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Show, don\u2019t tell.<\/b> Don\u2019t tell<\/i> your readers anything that could be shown instead. Instead of just sitting your readers down for a long exposition explaining a character\u2019s background or a plot-point\u2019s significance, try to let the readers discover the same ideas through the words, feelings and actions of your characters. Especially in fiction, putting this classic piece of writing advice into practice is one of the most powerful lessons a writer can learn. [7] <\/p>\n

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        • For example, \u201cSydney was angry after reading the letter\u201d tells the reader that Sydney felt angry, but doesn\u2019t give us any way to see it for ourselves. It\u2019s lazy and unconvincing. \u201cSydney crumpled the letter and threw it into the fireplace before she stormed from the room\u201d shows<\/i> that Sydney was angry without having to say it outright. This is far more effective. Readers believe what we see, not what we\u2019re told.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Avoid clich\u00e9s.<\/b> Clich\u00e9s are phrases, ideas or situations that have been used so often that they\u2019ve lost any impact they once had. [8] They\u2019re also usually too general to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Whether you\u2019re writing fiction or nonfiction, cutting clich\u00e9s out of your work will make it better. [9] <\/p>\n

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          • \u201cIt was a dark and stormy night\u201d is a classic example of a clich\u00e9d phrase\u2014even now a clich\u00e9d concept. Compare these similar weather-related opening lines: [10]\n
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            • \u201cIt was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.\u201d\u20141984<\/i>. by George Orwell. It\u2019s not dark, nor stormy, nor night. But you can tell right from the start something\u2019s not quite right in 1984.<\/li>\n
            • \u201cThe sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.\u201d\u2014Neuromancer<\/i>. by William Gibson, in the same book that gave us the word \u201ccyberspace.\u201d This not only gives you the weather report, it does so in such a way that you are immediately placed into his dystopian world.<\/li>\n
            • \u201c\u201cIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way\u2014in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.\u201d\u2014A Tale of Two Cities<\/i>. by Charles Dickens. Weather, emotion, damnation, and despair\u2014Dickens covered it all with an opening line that leaves the reader ready for anything.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Clich\u00e9s are also important to avoid when you\u2019re writing about yourself. Saying you\u2019re a \u201cpeople person\u201d says nothing definite about you. Saying you\u2019re able to communicate well with a variety of people because you grew up in a bilingual family and lived in six countries growing up lets your reader know you\u2019re a \u201cpeople person\u201d without you relying on lazy language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Avoid generalizations.<\/b> One of the hallmarks of sloppy writing is broad generalizations. For example, an academic essay might say something like \u201cIn modern times, we are more progressive than people a hundred years ago.\u201d This statement makes a host of unfounded assumptions and doesn\u2019t define important ideas like \u201cprogressive.\u201d Be precise and specific. Whether you\u2019re writing a short story or a scholarly essay, steering clear of generalizations and universal statements will improve your writing. [11] <\/p>\n

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              • This applies to creative writing, too. Don\u2019t allow yourself to assume anything without examining it. For example, if you\u2019re writing a story about a female character, don\u2019t assume that she would automatically be more emotional than a man or more inclined to be gentle or kindly. This kind of non-examined thinking keeps you in a creative rut and prevents you from exploring the variety of possibilities that real life presents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Back up what you say.<\/b> Don\u2019t speculate without providing evidence for your assertions. In creative writing terms, this is similar to the \u201cshow, don\u2019t tell\u201d principle. Don\u2019t just say<\/i> that without a strong police force society as we know it would break down. Why is that true? What evidence do you have? Explaining the thinking behind your statements will allow readers to see that you know what you\u2019re talking about. It will also help them determine whether they agree with you.<\/p>\n

                Use metaphors and similes with caution.<\/b> While a good metaphor or simile can give your writing punch and vigor, a bad one can make your writing as weak as a baby. (That, by the way, was a weak simile.) Overusing metaphors and similes can also suggest that you aren\u2019t confident with what you\u2019re saying and are relying on figures of speech to explain your ideas. They can also become clich\u00e9d really quickly. <\/p>\n

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                • A \u201cmixed\u201d metaphor mixes two metaphors so that they don\u2019t make sense. For example, \u201cWe\u2019ll burn that bridge when we come to it\u201d mixes the common metaphor \u201cWe\u2019ll cross that bridge when we come to it\u201d and \u201cDon\u2019t burn bridges.\u201d If you\u2019re not sure how a metaphor goes, look it up \u2014 or skip it altogether.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Break the rules.<\/b> The best writers don\u2019t just follow the rules\u2014they know when and how to break them. Everything from traditional grammar to the writing advice above is up for grabs if you know a transgression will improve your piece. The key is that you have to write well enough the rest of the time that it\u2019s clear you are breaking the rule knowingly and on purpose. <\/p>\n

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                  • As with everything, moderation is key. Using one rhetorical question to create a punchy opening can be very effective. Using a string of six rhetorical questions would quickly diminish their effect. Be choosy about when and why you break the rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Edit, edit, edit.<\/b> Editing is one of the most essential parts of writing. Once you finish a piece of writing, let it sit for a day and then read it over with fresh eyes, catching confusing bits or scrapping whole paragraphs\u2014anything to make your piece better. Then when you are done, give it another read, and another. <\/p>\n

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                    • Some people confuse \u201cediting\u201d with \u201cproofreading.\u201d Both are important, but editing<\/i> focuses on considering what your content is and how it works. Don\u2019t become so attached to your wording or a particular idea that you aren\u2019t willing to change it if you discover that your ideas would be more clear or effective presented in another way. Proofreading is more technical and catches errors of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Method Two of Four:
                      Reading for Writing Edit<\/h3>\n

                      Pick up a good book or ten.<\/b> Whether you\u2019re writing the next Great American Novel or a scientific journal article, becoming familiar with examples of excellent writing in your genre will help you improve your own writing. Read and understand the works of great and influential writers to learn what is possible with the written word and what readers respond to best. By immersing yourself in works by good writers, you will expand your vocabulary, build knowledge, and feed your imagination. [12] [13] <\/p>\n

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                      • Look for different ways of organizing a piece of writing or presenting a narrative.<\/li>\n
                      • Try comparing different author\u2019s approaches to the same subject to see how they are alike and how they differ. For example, Tolstoy\u2019s Death of Ivan Ilych<\/i>. and Hemingway\u2019s The Snows of Kilimanjaro<\/i> .<\/li>\n
                      • Remember that even if you\u2019re writing nonfiction or academic writing, reading examples of great writing will improve your own. The more familiar you are with the many ways it\u2019s possible to communicate ideas, the more varied and original your own writing can become.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Map the allusions that run through your culture.<\/b> You might not realize it, but books, movies and other media are filled with references and homages to great literature. By reading some classics, you will build a body of cultural knowledge that will better inform your own writing.<\/p>\n

                        Make sure you understand why<\/i> a classic work is considered great.<\/b> It\u2019s possible to read a novel like The Catcher in the Rye<\/i> and not \u201cget it\u201d or see its value immediately. If this happens, try reading an essay or two about the piece to learn why it was so influential and effective. You may discover layers of meaning that you missed. Understanding what makes great writing great is one of the best ways to grow your own skills. <\/p>\n

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                        • This applies for nonfiction and academic writing too. Take some examples of work by well-respected authors in your field and take them apart. What do they have in common? How do they work? What are they doing that you could do yourself?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Attend the theatre.<\/b> Plays were written to be performed. If you find that you just don\u2019t \u201cget\u201d a work of literature, find a performance of it. If you can\u2019t find a performance, read the work aloud. Get yourself into the heads of its characters. Listen to how the language sounds as you read it. <\/p>\n

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                          • More than a movie ever can be, a theatrical performance is like words come to life, with only the director\u2019s interpretation and the actor\u2019s delivery as filters between the author\u2019s pen and your ears.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Read magazines, newspapers, and everything else.<\/b> Literature isn\u2019t the only place to get ideas\u2014the real world is filled with fascinating people, places and events that will inspire your writerly mind. A great writer is in touch with the important issues of the day.<\/p>\n

                            Know when to put down your influences.<\/b> It happens all the time: you finish an awesome novel, and it leaves you fired up to get cracking on your own writing. But when you sit down at your desk, your words come out sounding unoriginal, like an imitation of the author you were just reading. For all you can learn from great writers, you need to be able to develop your own voice. Learn to cleanse your palate of influences with a free writing exercise, a review of your past works, or even just a meditative jog.<\/p>\n

                            Buy a notebook.<\/b> Not just any notebook, but a good sturdy one you can take with you anywhere. Ideas happen anywhere, and you want to be able to capture those oft-fleeting ideas before they escape you like that dream you had the other night about. um. it was. uh. well it was really good at the time!<\/p>\n

                            Write down any ideas that come to you.<\/b> Titles, subtitles, topics, characters, situations, phrases, metaphors\u2014write down anything that will spark your imagination later when you\u2019re ready. <\/p>\n