6 answers
Elizabeth
Student
North Richland Hills, Texas
12
Questions
Updated
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How should I improve my writing?
What can I do to improve my writing. And also come up some interesting ideas for story? #journalism
#Thank-you #writing #writing-and-editing
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6 answers
Rachel Shuster
Former USA TODAY sports writer-editor
10
Answers
Monsey, New York
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
This might seem odd, but one of the best ways to improve your writing is to read. Anything. Reading stimulates your mind. Muscle memory kicks in. So that when you start to write, your reading memory helps convert your ideas into writing.
On a more practical note: I like the idea of coming up with lists. A to Z, name foods you like and dislike, and explain why. A to Z, talk about emotions and feelings and how each impacts you.
In other words, just START WRITING.
It doesn't have to be 100 percent grammatically correct. The idea is to just get into the PRACTICE of writing. As you keep practicing, the elements of good writing will become clearer to you.
I always tell young writers, pick up the book The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White
On a more practical note: I like the idea of coming up with lists. A to Z, name foods you like and dislike, and explain why. A to Z, talk about emotions and feelings and how each impacts you.
In other words, just START WRITING.
It doesn't have to be 100 percent grammatically correct. The idea is to just get into the PRACTICE of writing. As you keep practicing, the elements of good writing will become clearer to you.
I always tell young writers, pick up the book The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White
Thank you :) Yeah I'll try to read that book.
Elizabeth
Julia Hunt
Professor
4
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hello, Elizabeth. I'm glad you are asking this question as all of us need to learn to write and communicate better. I would recommend going to Khan Academy (either the website or the app) and finding the exercises and tests having to do with grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and all those areas you think you know. Get better at them. Then, I would recommend going to either the SAT or ACT websites and downloading their word list and their writing prompts from previous tests and practice writing. I would also recommend that you download a dictionary app that will send you a daily word for you to learn. Half of writing and communicating is using the best word for what ever occasion.
Lastly, I would read a book called The Writing Life (?) by Annie Dillard. And, even look up Peggy Noonan: her commentaries, writings, etc. She is conservative politically, but she is an excellent, former Presidential speech writer and she can give you ideas.
Concerning topics, check out Toastmasters International. I believe they have a listing of short subject topics you could write or speak about.
I hope this helps and if you need more info, let me know through this forum.
Lastly, I would read a book called The Writing Life (?) by Annie Dillard. And, even look up Peggy Noonan: her commentaries, writings, etc. She is conservative politically, but she is an excellent, former Presidential speech writer and she can give you ideas.
Concerning topics, check out Toastmasters International. I believe they have a listing of short subject topics you could write or speak about.
I hope this helps and if you need more info, let me know through this forum.
Thank you. :)
Elizabeth
Kruti Patel
Manager of practice
101
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Kruti’s Answer
Every component of a successful piece of writing should express only one idea. Using this one idea you can sharpen your focus
Gessie Belizaire
Seasoned Program Associate/ Office Manager with 4 years of web design/managing experience
7
Answers
Updated
Gessie’s Answer
Everyone had such insightful responses. What I wish to contribute is a personal trick that I myself have used and continue to use. I recommend watching a great deal of films on a wide variety of subject matters. It will help you to see and hear how stories are told. It's crazy to believe that this method could work but it did for me and I hope I does so for you.
:) Thank you
Elizabeth
Peg Fallon
Flexible Professional With Legal Research and Editing Experience
5
Answers
Updated
Peg’s Answer
Hello, Elizabeth - what interests YOU? Have you done or experienced anything that you think is unique, funny, offbeat, sad or otherwise out of the ordinary? Write about that. Or perhaps you have a friend who has a great talent or life experience that would interest others. The truth is, everyone has at least one story to tell - sometimes more. Just write - the more you write, the better a writer you will become. Good luck to you.
Thank you :)
Elizabeth
Khalia Robinson
Program Director at Mighty Writers
7
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Khalia’s Answer
What do you want to improve about your writing? If you tell me that I can give you some advice.
In regards to interesting ideas, write a list of the first 25 people that come to mind. What is something that a majority of them have in common? Write about that. The people in your immediate circle are the first ones to read your writing normally. If you can please them, you can please others. And ask. Ask everyone and keep a list of their answers. This way you'll have a plethora of options to write about. You can pose the same questions on social media. You could also write down the alphabet, and put three minutes on the timer. Start the timer and fill in the alphabet with the first words that come to mind in relation to each letter. That's another way to find a list of ideas.
If writer's block is an issue, try putting a timer on 3 minutes and doing a "stream of consciousness", where you write for three minutes consistently without picking up the pen everything, and I mean everything that comes to mind--even if you run out of thoughts and you're thinking "what the hell am I doing this for". It helps clear the mind clutter and allows ideas to flow. Try it, you'll like it.
writing-help writing creative-writing content-writing
In regards to interesting ideas, write a list of the first 25 people that come to mind. What is something that a majority of them have in common? Write about that. The people in your immediate circle are the first ones to read your writing normally. If you can please them, you can please others. And ask. Ask everyone and keep a list of their answers. This way you'll have a plethora of options to write about. You can pose the same questions on social media. You could also write down the alphabet, and put three minutes on the timer. Start the timer and fill in the alphabet with the first words that come to mind in relation to each letter. That's another way to find a list of ideas.
If writer's block is an issue, try putting a timer on 3 minutes and doing a "stream of consciousness", where you write for three minutes consistently without picking up the pen everything, and I mean everything that comes to mind--even if you run out of thoughts and you're thinking "what the hell am I doing this for". It helps clear the mind clutter and allows ideas to flow. Try it, you'll like it.
writing-help writing creative-writing content-writing
Thank you :)
Elizabeth