4 quick tips for strong writing

By Ross Fonteyn

Clarity: Improve readability and understanding through focused writing.

Confidence and Authority: Strengthen your writing with assertive language and clear statements.

Structure and Flow: Enhance the organisation and coherence of your text.

Sometimes, the not-so-simple act of writing can feel chaotic and overwhelming, even for the most prolific wordsmith. Many of us struggle to bring order to our thoughts and ideas, making our writing less effective. Fear not! With a few simple adjustments, you can significantly improve your writing. Here are four quick tips to help you bring clarity and order to any type of writing.

1. Eliminate Run-On Sentences

Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined. They can make your writing difficult to follow and understand.

Before: "I went to the store I bought some milk and bread it was a sunny day."
After: "I went to the store. I bought some milk and bread. It was a sunny day."

2. Avoid Passive Voice

Passive voice makes your writing seem weak and indirect. For example:

Before: "The report was written by the team."
After: "The team wrote the report."

3. Fix Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences. They can disrupt the flow of your writing. For example:

Before: "Because the weather was bad."
After: "The event was cancelled because the weather was bad."

4. Limit Sentences to Two Short Clauses

Complex sentences with multiple clauses can be hard to read and understand. Limiting your sentences to two short clauses can improve clarity.

Bonus Tip: Write with Authority

When writing, don't hesitate to make bold statements. Avoid hedging phrases like "I think" or "I believe." Strong writing is confident and clear.

Summary

By following these four tips, you can transform chaotic writing into clear, effective communication. Apply these tips today and see the difference in your writing.