Whether it’s a resume you’re writing, a presentation for management, or a series of strategically-placed sticky notes that read, “please, for the love of all that is holy and pure, stop taking my lunch!”—writing is everywhere.
While writing itself is an art that requires decades of constant, disciplined study and practice for those that are pursuing it as a career, for the rest of us (which is most of us), effective writing and communication is something that should make our professional lives easier.
The good news is that anyone can become a better writer and communicator with practice, just like anything else in life.
So here are 5 quick “inside and outside the box” tips and strategies you can do to improve your own writing skills and become a better and more effective communicator.
Read the dictionary!
Cracking open the dictionary might sound about as thrilling as watching paint dry, but there’s verbal magic inside those pages. Just ask Eminem, who has famously read the dictionary front to back, multiple times, to expand his own vocabulary and become a lyrical genius. The more words you know, the more tools you have to express yourself clearly, creatively, and convincingly. So whether you’re penning a killer cover letter or the next big rap track (hey, you never know!), the words you do know will matter. To keep it simple, have a small dictionary bedside. Skim through a few pages every night and read the definition of words you don’t know. As for the words you do know, simply seeing them as you scan the page will “reconnect” them to your vocabulary.
Read everything (not just the dictionary)!
If you want to write well, you need to read well. Novels, news, blogs, emails, the backs of cereal boxes—basically anything with words. Different styles and voices will help you find your own. You’ll pick up on what you like, what you don’t like, what works and what doesn’t. You may even find that the back of a cereal box is the most exciting thing you’ve read all week.
Get to the point
We’ve all suffered through those emails that are longer than a Russian novel, but say less than a fortune cookie. Respect your reader’s time. Be concise, be clear, and don’t be afraid to cut out the fluff. Your boss and colleagues will thank you.
Edit, ruthlessly!
The real magic happens in editing. Don’t fall in love with your first draft—it’s probably a hot mess (and that’s okay). Step away for a bit, then come back with fresh eyes and a red pen (or the digital equivalent). Cut unnecessary words, fix typos, and make sure your message is coming through loud and clear. Remember: even the best writers need to revise.
Ask for feedback (and take it like a champ!)
Let someone else read your writing—preferably someone who won’t just tell you it’s “nice.” Honest feedback can be a little painful, but it’s the fastest way to improve. And if your friend points out that you’ve spelled “definitely” as “defiantly” for the third time this week, just thank them and move on (and maybe read the dictionary again!).
