Writing is difficult for many. Not all of us are well capable of expressing our thoughts on paper, making it informative and interesting to read at the same time. While some people are able to avoid writing most of the time, students usually aren’t so lucky. They receive many writing assignments regularly, and completing them can become nearly impossible for those who struggle with their writing all the time.
However, there is something you can do in order to change that. It doesn’t matter whether you are a teacher or a student – these 8 tips can help you improve student writing greatly.
- Shorten sentences.
The shorter, the better – that’s the rule when it comes to writing. Short sentences are easier to read and understand, they tend to be more specific and deliver your point of view more effectively. Of course, not all sentences have to be short and there is no clear definition of “short”, but you should still try to make them as laconic as possible while saving their meaning at the same time.
- Don’t forget about grammar.
Grammar is a tough subject for many students. However, these days it is much easier to improve your grammar and make your writing stronger. There are so many apps that help check spelling and punctuation and there are even some of those that give you stylistic suggestions as well. All you have to do is to not only correct the mistakes but also remember the tips and rules these apps provide you with – and your grammar will certainly improve with time.
- Write a plan first.
It doesn’t matter what you’re writing – an essay, a term paper, or an article: a plan still has to be written first. It not only helps you build the necessary structure but also ensures that you won’t miss something and makes the whole writing process much easier. All you have to do after you wrote the plan is to follow it: this will help you save time on thinking “What should I write next?”.
- Extra reading is always good.
We are overflowed with information these days and so, reading might seem like a tiring thing to do to many. However, it’s the reading that helps us become better writers and express our thoughts better. And I’m not talking only about classic literature here – you can read modern one too. So, choose the books you might enjoy and start reading!
- Analyze and discuss.
Not all of us actually have time and opportunity to reflect on our writing. However, this is a necessary thing to do if you want to write better. You can discuss writing with your teacher or professor, with your friends or fellow students, noticing all the details and flaws. You can do that on your own too, analyzing your writing and trying to understand why did you choose these words and arguments in the first place, and so on.
- Use the words you know.
Using the words that are supposed to make you look smarter is one of the most common errors in students writing. Not all students actually understand the exact meaning of the words they want to use for this purpose, which might lead to some very confusing mistakes. While your writing doesn’t have to be primitive, you should still choose the words that are familiar to you.
- Take your time.
This could be hard when the deadlines are close, but the more time you spend on writing, the better it will become. Sometimes students’ writing is poor not because their skills are bad, but because they rush too much with the whole writing process.
- Always edit.
The earlier you start working on your writing assignment, the more time you will have to edit it. Editing is a must: it not only helps in eliminating grammar mistakes but also improves your writing. You can notice weak arguments and logical flaws during the editing process, correct them, and make your paper much better this way.
While strong writing skills do develop with time, these simple tips will help you improve your writing a bit very quickly.
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