Improve your Writing

Writing is an art that many people struggle with. However, it is also something that is a central part of work; from composing emails, to editing resumes, to creating important reports, you have to use your writing skills on a daily basis. Even text messages need a basic structure and control of language to be legible. But in your career, you want to go beyond just ‘legible’ - you want your writing to seem professional, composed and efficient in conveying its message. So how can you achieve this?

Let’s dive into 3 steps that will help you take your writing from average to amazing.

1. Start Reading More

Don’t underestimate the value of reading. Devouring books at a young age is what helped me to develop my early skills in language conventions, sentence structure and an understanding of underlying messages within writing. Reading more is something that can help people of any age to develop their writing skills, as they can see how language can be used and implemented to help convey meaning.

It’s also a great idea to try and read a variety of different books - from fantasy novels to self-help books, autobiographies to historical texts - to really see how writers adjust their language, tone and ideas to suit different audiences. This will expand your vocabulary, allow you to better understand the correct use of language conventions, and you may even find a new favourite book - which is definitely an added bonus!

2. Consider your Tone

Your tone is something that should always be adjusted depending on who you are writing for. You wouldn’t talk to your boss the same way you talk to your best friend - so why would you write to them the same way?

In order to make sure you are being considerate of tone, do a bit of research into your audience. Find out if there is certain words or ideas that this person, or this group, prefer not to hear about - and make sure to avoid them! You can also have a look into how this audience communicates themselves, and replicate the tone they use - is it more friendly and open, or strictly professional and concise? Try and mirror this in your own writing, as this is a great way to ensure you’re communicating with your audience in a way that they will resonate with.

3. Be Polite and Pleasant

This is the final step, but perhaps the most important step - you should always make an effort to be polite and pleasant in the way that you communicate. I’m sure you’ve heard of the importance of ‘email etiquette’, which involves writing emails in a manner that is quite friendly and polite, as you use formalities and kindness while you’re typing out your message.

However, this etiquette should go beyond just your emails, and be something that you employ in all of your writing - especially if it is going to be sent out to a certain person or group, or is personal in nature. Try to avoid using aggressive, accusatory or blunt language, and use words that are more inviting and inclusive - this will not only leave a positive impression with your reader, but also make it more accessible to a larger audience. It’s win-win!

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to put these tips into practice and take your writing from passable to professional!