Read these 10 tips before you write. They will help you form your ideas, get some structure to your writing, and start you off on your blog post, article or opinion piece.
1. Ask yourself: What am I trying to say?
Don’t write anything until you've established in your mind The Point of your article. Ask yourself what do you want to say and why does it need to be said?
Once you have those answers, write them down. You're on the right track. Keep to The Point as you write. That way, you'll stay focused, and your writing will be concise.
2. Write it like you’d say it
Every writing and journalism school will tell you to write as you would talk to a friend. You need your reader to understand what you are trying to say - not have to untangle your words and sentences. If you need to describe a difficult concept, explain it as you would to a friend. Say the sentence out loud before you write it down.
3. Don’t try to sound clever
Writing is all about clarity. Clear writing. It doesn't get better. Leave out complex words and ornate sentence constructions. You don't need to sound clever. Don’t use acronyms or jargon either. Your writing needs to be as readable to as many people as possible. You do not want your reader to stop in their tracks as they try to piece together what you are saying, or as they try to understand an unfamiliar word. You are writing to be read.
4. Avoid dressing up
If you are describing a product or a service, give a simple, straight forward description. Be truthful. Do not exaggerate. Explain how it works, say what it is, don’t dress it up. Tell it as it is.
5. Avoid being sensitive
It is easy to feel vulnerable when your writing is published - especially if it is an opinion piece, a personal blog or a first-person article. But if you have kept 'To The Point' and what you say is accurate and correct, see it as your job. Your work. If you feel you have made your writing as clear and as effective as you can, then once it is published let it go. When you do that, negative feedback won’t derail you and you can focus on your next piece.
6. Ask for another pair of eyes
Sharing your work with someone you respect will give your writing a fresh pair of eyes. It is easy to get drawn into your work and not always see it from the perspective of your reader. When you ask for feedback, be clear to describe the purpose of your writing and what you would like from the feedback.
7. Read the writing of others
Read widely. Read blogs, newspaper and magazine articles, fiction, faction and poetry. You'll judge what writing styles you like and which ones you would rather avoid. You'll judge whether or not the writer's style is appropriate for its audience. You'll judge whether or not the writing has kept To The Point. You’ll get a sense of what writing is good and what is bad.
8. Getting started
The start can be daunting. So rather than look at a blank screen or piece of paper, write something down - a title or an overview of The Point of your article. Once you have done that, you have started. You will find that soon the words will flow and your piece will start to develop.
9. The end
Know when to end your piece. Don't waffle on. But also make sure you have covered all the points you meant to write about. Will your writing be fully understood by your reader? Have you stuck to The Point? Have you achieved what you set out to do? Don’t overdo your article but don’t underdo it either. Write enough. Step away from your words for a while then come back and read it with a fresh pair of eyes. Do you need to add anything, edit any words out or rephrase any sentences? Would your reader be satisfied with what you have to say and how you have said it? If so, your piece is done.
10. Be kind to yourself and others
Writing is a skill which takes time to develop. Be kind to yourself when you start out writing and remember to be supportive to other writers when they too are setting out.