Writing Tips for Clarity: Overcoming Common Pitfalls
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Writing Clearly
Sometimes, in our quest to improve our writing, we may forget the importance of sounding logical.
Photo by Omar Alrawi on Unsplash
Here’s a task for you:
Head over to Google.com and search for “how to write better.” You’ll be met with a plethora of options, including various courses and programs. Aware of the difficulties inherent in writing, you might be tempted to invest $313 in a six-month class aimed at improving your skills.
However, Heather Monthie asserts that many writing programs are not worth the investment. Since writing is a highly sought-after skill, it’s unrealistic to expect to become wealthy from it overnight. Crafting effective writing tailored to your audience comes from years of practice and experience. No course can replace the hard work necessary to hone your craft.
The longer you delay starting your writing journey, waiting for friends, courses, or the perfect moment, the longer you’ll struggle. Eventually, your writing may feel as though it’s trapped in a burlap sack.
Here are three strategies to help you break free from this stagnation:
Section 1.1: Embrace Reuse
My mother was a firm believer in not wasting anything. We even had a special drawer for her to store leftover items. Her philosophy of healthy recycling extended to everything, from cauliflower leaves to overripe fruits, which she used to nourish her plants.
You can apply a similar approach to your writing. Before aiming to contribute to platforms like Forbes or Medium, try your hand at freestyle writing. Write about whatever interests you, whether it’s journal prompts or book reviews. Keep the creative juices flowing.
How to Implement:
Alberto García emphasizes the importance of writing daily. Maintaining a consistent rhythm enhances your writing. Don’t hold back; write about topics that inspire you. Freestyle writing not only builds a reservoir of articles but also provides sample letters for your book. Here are some methods to kickstart your freestyle writing:
- Prompts: Use ideas from Dr. Preeti Singh and Neera Handa.
- Journaling: Explore prompts at Vanillapapers.net.
- Current Events: Check trending topics on Twitter.
You can also write about your feelings—whether happy or upset—or outline your short- and long-term goals.
Section 1.2: Ensure Logical Flow
Writing is not merely about putting words on a page; it involves psychology, structure, and the drive to improve. It’s crucial to remember that your writing should make sense. This involves two key elements: logic and flow.
If you invest time in crafting headlines and subtitles without a cohesive body, you risk increasing the bounce rate of your article. Readers expect clarity and satisfaction from your writing.
How to Achieve Logical Flow:
Here’s a process I follow:
- Plan Ahead: I outline the topics I want to write about 2-3 days in advance.
- Draft Listicles: I create a list of points and introductory paragraphs related to those topics.
- Prioritize: I focus on the headlines and listicles that resonate the most, planning to write on those subjects next.
Repetition of this process helps streamline my writing. Once the planning is complete, adding quotes and research becomes simpler.
Chapter 2: Avoid Writing Like an AI
Believe it or not, many people unknowingly write in a way that sounds robotic, as noted by Fatunla Samuel.
Here’s the reality:
- Your piece may lack genuine emotion.
- It may drown in excessive information.
- The overall structure could be disorganized.
Consider this: while you might want to share a personal story about a romantic proposal, does it really fit into an article about productivity? It’s essential to maintain focus.
How to Maintain Focus:
- Don’t pressure yourself into writing.
- Platforms like Medium allow for diverse writing, so save personal stories for separate articles.
- Direct readers to those stories with links, using phrases like “read the full story here.”
- Summarize your experiences succinctly.
Remember, you can’t cram an entire life’s worth of experiences into one piece.
Bonus Tips:
As someone who speaks six languages, I find writing particularly challenging at times. To combat this, I’ve made English my default language for speaking, watching, reading, and writing. This helps me avoid sounding like a non-native speaker.
If you’re struggling with your writing, consider adjusting your daily lifestyle to align with your writing goals. Personally, I find inspiration from watching self-improvement videos in English.
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