Five Tips to Become a Better Writer
I am an avid writer. I *try* to write weekly on Medium with articles ranging from my time as a figure skater to my moments in politics. Writing, to me, has been a steady uphill battle with me trying to find the best writing voice inside me. Through my early childhood years where I would learn the basics of grammar through a “Kumon” through my junior year in high school where I would be enrolled in Advanced Placement Language in Composition—coupled with my enthusiasm for writing—I have learned and developed important writing skills and techniques I want to share with you.
1. Find your passion, and write about it
Whether you play football or you are a child prodigy at playing the ukelele, find your passion, and write about your passion. Oftentimes, as writers in school, we are restricted to writing essays or articles that are limited to the boundaries of the prompt. But, in order to produce writing that you can be proud of, write about the issues or activities that are most interesting to you. As writers, we discover a voice within ourselves when we write about issues that matter with us, so find that issue, and just write about it.
2. Don’t be afraid of the first draft
Whether you’re a presidential speechwriter or a freshman in high schooler, don’t let the first draft hold you back. Like American novelist, Anne Lamott said, “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something — anything — down on paper. What I’ve Learned to do when I sit down to work on a shitty first draft is to quiet the voices in my head.” Lamott’s advice is said perfectly — now go tackle that first draft!
3. Throw away the Thesaurus
Whenever I write, there is an inclination to often search up more complicated words on the Thesaurus — I am afraid I use simple words or I won’t sound sophisticated enough. Trust me, get rid of the habit if you do it, too. In order to let your voice flow smoothly on paper, don’t let a thesaurus dictate which words you use or don’t use — let yourself decide which words to you. After all, when you write you are creating your art. your work.
4. Stick with short sentences and short paragraphs
Like the complicated words, people associate longer sentences and longer paragraphs with a higher level of writing. But, that could not be further from reality. Shorter sentences and shorter paragraphs are not only clear and concise — something that writers yearn for — but shorter sentences and paragraphs are powerful — extremely powerful. As writers, we are able to get our message out in an effective and assertive manner through short syntax. We express our true thoughts most effectively through short sentences and paragraphs.
5. Make writing a habit
This might be the most important tip to becoming a better writer. Whether it’s writing daily Medium articles or writing a daily diary, write as much as possible. The more you write, the more you are able to translate thoughts to words is when you will see a difference in the quality of your writing. Throw away any limits imposed on you through prompts and just write. Get up in the morning or come home after school and write — it doesn’t have to be long or short.
