Looking for writing tips? Along with the quality of the information presented, you should also factor in readability. Focus on making your writing as easy to read as possible. Your goal is for readers to understand and absorb the information you present, so don’t make it difficult for them to do so.
Check Out These Writing Tips:
1. Use Common Vocabulary
When you’re writing, use common and familiar vocabulary. Avoid language that’s too colloquial, idiomatic, or slangy. Be careful with industry jargon. Use jargon only if you’re sure your audience will understand it.
2. Start with the Main Idea
The first sentence of each paragraph should introduce its main idea. The other sentences should go deeper into this idea, offer examples, or an explanation.
3. Use Short and Simple Sentences
Most sentences should have one clause. The maximum should be two clauses. Reduce run-on sentences and make each sentence describe one distinct idea.
4. Avoid Redundancy
Don’t use redundant phrases like “added bonus,” “final outcome,” and “end result.” Be especially careful with adjectives. If you find yourself using two adjectives that mean basically the same thing, choose the better of the two and cut the other.
5. Keep Paragraphs Short
For books published on places like Amazon Kindle, remember that people will be reading your book on a digital device, which makes it especially hard to read large blocks of text. Each paragraph should be just 2-5 sentences.
6. Lead the Reader
Move the reader through your text with transition words like “firstly,” “however,” and “finally.” These words help make your writing smoother and easier to read.
7. Use White Space
You don’t need to stuff every page with text. From a design point of view, white space makes your pages look nice. It also helps the reader to not feel overwhelmed.
8. Use Precise Language
Avoid using phrases like “about,” “almost,” “kind of,” or “that kind of thing.” Say things in a more concrete way. Instead of saying “etc.” or “and more,” give the reader more concrete examples. Precise language helps avoid misinterpretation.
9. Use Active Voice
Use the active voice and avoid using the passive voice. The active voice is usually more direct and easy to understand. It also makes sentences shorter and quicker to read.
10. Use Bullet Points and Lists
Bullet points and lists come in handy for picking out key words and ideas. They help the reader organize the information you’re presenting, and also provide an easy way to reference the material.
11. Break up Text with Headings and Subheadings
Break up your text with headings and subheadings to make it more easily skimmable. These are like mini-chapters that tell the reader what topic the text is discussing.
12. Let Each Idea Breathe
Avoid hitting the reader with too many ideas per page. Make sure that you fully flesh out each idea and provide plenty of explanations and examples. Remember that information that’s everyday knowledge to you can be new to your reader.
Writing Tips Conclusion
To sum it up, pay attention to your writing. Begin incorporating these writing tips and soon your writing skills will improve. After consistently working on improving how you write, it will become second nature for you.
Pat Iyer grew up in a house with a dictionary that stayed on the dining room table so that anyone making grammatical errors could be and would be challenged. The Language Patrol never took a day off.
