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Writing

According to dictionary.com, writing is “the act of a person or thing that writes.”  Learning to write in a particular language is very different than learning to speak a language.  Speaking fluently can be accomplished by surrounding yourself with other people who speak a particular language.  This is how children learn to speak.  But writing is more complicated.  It requires formal instruction, time and patience.  Learning to write in an articulate and coherent manner takes years of practice.


Learn How to Write

At its most basic level, writing begins with learning the alphabet.  The alphabet provides the necessary building blocks for forming words.  Children typically begin learning the alphabet at a very young age, between preschool and kindergarten.  In addition to learning how to recognize and write the alphabet, they learn the sound each letter makes. 

Children are taught to put the sounds together to form words.  When they’ve mastered that task, they put words together to create sentences.  Eventually as they get older and their writing skills get more advanced, they learn how to write more complex sentences and paragraphs.

Learning how to clearly express your thoughts in writing doesn’t happen overnight.  It’s a long process. Because writing tends to be more formal than speaking, there are a variety of rules you need to learn to write effectively, including grammar, usage and punctuation.


Writing Tips

Writing is a difficult task for many people.  Here are some tips for making your writing as effective as possible.
 

• Vary word choice and sentence structure.  To keep your writing interesting, don’t repeat the same words or thoughts over and over again, and use a mix of short and long sentences.
• Maintain a consistent voice.  Decide what tone and style you will use for a piece of writing and stick with it.  Your text should not sound like it was written by multiple people or for multiple purposes.
• Punctuate properly.  Appropriate use of punctuation makes a big difference in how easy it is for the reader to follow your writing.  Improper punctuation can even change the meaning of a sentence.
• Be succinct.  Use simple language that everyone understands and express your thoughts in as few words as possible.

Ways to Improve Your Writing

There are many ways you can improve your writing, including:
 

• Reading.  This is a great way to make your writing better.  Reading gives you a chance to observe different styles, tones and voices.  Try using some of the techniques you see when reading in your own writing.  Experiment to find out what works for you and what doesn’t.
• Writing.  It’s hard to get worse at something you practice.  The more you write, the better your writing will become.
• Participating in a workshop.  At workshops, you get a chance to learn from both your instructor and other participants.  You’ll have your work critiqued and receive suggestions about how you can improve your writing.
• Hire a tutor.  A writing tutor will provide the most focused and personalized approach to improving your writing.  When you work with a tutor, they will create a customized plan designed to help you achieve your goals.