Written English Matters a lot even if you are buying a bus ticket, going to the doctor, looking for an apartment, or simply opening your lips and having a typical conversation – most English students are eager to speak; after all, you’re studying English to communicate.
However, even in the age of Snapchat and Instagram, writing remains an enormously crucial element of communication. To assist you, we’ve compiled seven very actionable recommendations for enhancing your written English.
If you want to Improve your IELTS Score Take one of our best courses.
What is Written English skills?
Writing is a technical ability that allows you to communicate effectively via the written word. Though they may differ based on what you’re writing, there are a few that cross categories. Writing abilities might more particularly include:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Spelling
- Sentence construction
- Structure
- Research and accuracy
- Clarity
- Persuasiveness
Why are writing skills important?
Being able to write well is a sort of effective communication that many employers value. In fact, excellent communication with written english, verbal, nonverbal, and visual—is one of the nine main employability qualities that companies look for in job prospects.
Regardless of your position, effective writing abilities enable you to properly translate your thoughts into relevant messages, allowing you to communicate your ideas, create relationships, and boost your professional image.
1. Read, read, read
Do you have a sense of déjà vu? You are not alone. “Read more” is frequently recommended for improving written English because it works! Reading exposes you to fresh language, fascinating word choices, and beautiful phrases that you might include into your own work.
Do not worry about what you “should” read. The idea is to read extensively and frequently. Novels, nonfiction, blogs, news stories, and magazines—if it’s written (and well written English), read it!
2. Ban these words
To take your writing to the next level, avoid using the following words: really, really, quite, good, got, something, and things. You may wonder how removing a few basic words might improve your writing so significantly. Well, they are meaningless words. They don’t communicate well, and without them, your written English will mean the same – but read far better!
Bonus tip: Replace “very/really + adjective” with “extreme adjective.” Very hungry turns ravenous. To run really rapidly equals to sprint. Very dirty turns filthy. There are hundreds of adjectives to utilize in written English.
3. Proofread
While it’s tempting to submit work as soon as you finish it, set aside some time to go over what you’ve written to identify errors big and little. Here are some proofreading suggestions to keep in mind:
- Set aside your work before editing. Try to take a day or more apart from your work so that you can return to it with new, objective eyes. Are you short on time? Even devoting 20 minutes between writing and editing will help you approach your task with newfound zest.
- Begin with little repairs, then advance to more significant modifications. Starting with little modifications will help you get into the proofreading groove, enable you to go over your work again, and eliminate distractions so you can focus on larger edits. Check your work for spelling, consistency, and grammatical issues. Then fix broader issues like structure or uncomfortable transitions.
- If you can say anything with fewer words, do so. Being overly wordy might dilute your message and confuse the reader. Reduce sentences that are unnecessary, repetitious, or apparent.
- Read aloud. Reading aloud can help you identify difficult words and spots where your work does not flow naturally.
4. Use and notice collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together, even if alternative word combinations are equally grammatically valid. Think about the Written English phrase “heavy rain”. Grammatically, you could use “strong rain” – but it sounds weird to seasoned ears.
Other collocations include weak tea (not feeble tea), terrible pain (not painful joy), tall trees (not high trees), buy time (not purchase time), and rapid automobiles (not swift vehicles), to name a few. Knowing common collocations helps your writing sound more natural.
To improve your collocation awareness, start with a basic word (such as make, do, get, break, or tell) and look for related collocations. You might also start with a “type” of collocation and learn a few instances. There are several types:
- Adverb and adjective (totally satisfied, extensively available, bitterly dissatisfied)
- Adjective + noun (strong coffee, heavy traffic, harsh weather)
- Verb + noun (commit suicide, do schoolwork, make apologies)
- Noun + noun (an outburst of rage, liquor license, panic attack)
5. Know your audience
When writing, it is critical to consider your audience. Consider this: When updating your CV, you employ a different vocabulary than when writing a university essay or a post for your own blog. Essentially, the difference is your tone and wording. So, before typing out any old stuff, consider:
Is your content more official, like a university application letter, a job cover letter, or an essay? The texts are:
- Typically complicated, containing lengthier phrases and extensively addressed topics.
- Less emotive, not intended to move the reader.
- Typically written with extended words (cannot, wouldn’t have, television).
- On the other hand, you may be writing something casual, such as a blog post, a personal letter, or marketing material. In such case:
- Break down your thoughts using simpler language and shorter words.
- Include contractions and abbreviations (such as can’t, wouldn’t have, or TV).
- Write in conversational style, including slang, figures of speech, asides, and personal pronouns (I, you, mine, your).
6. Prefer active over passive language
In general, using the active voice rather than the passive voice results in crisper, more succinct writing. (For example, “The shark bit the surfer” is more direct and expressive than “The surfer was bitten by the shark.”)
While there are many legitimate reasons to use the passive voice, such as when speaking authoritatively (“Children are not permitted to swim without an adult”) or to ignore the topic (“The cause of the confusion was unknown”), you should avoid using it excessively.
7. Don’t write in a vacuum
It’s really tough to learn alone, so be courageous and seek criticism on your work. Native English speakers with a passion for writing and language, as well as non-native speakers with advanced skills, make excellent proofreaders. After your proofreader has verified your work in written English, follow their recommendations and request a last review before submitting or publishing it.
Conclusion:
To summarize, improving your written English abilities is a transformative process that extends beyond basic language competency. This essay has explored the complexities of language, offering seven practical methods to improve your writing.
From the intelligent examination of collocations to the critical concerns of audience and the desire for active language, each advice leads to a more complete development in your written English communication.
So, dive into the world of words, use these guidelines, and watch your written English expressions become a strong conduit for transmitting ideas, building connections, and leaving a lasting impression on your audience. Your road to eloquent and effective writing begins today. Happy writing!
Whether you’re a scientist, a product manager, a journalist, or an entrepreneur, writing well will allow you to share your ideas with the world. You’ll be able to utilize your writing to communicate exactly what you want to say after some practice, exposure, and being acquainted with fundamental guidelines.