3 Ways to Improve Your Writing Quickly

If you are a college student, an adult learner returning to school after a long absence, or simply someone who wants to improve their writing quickly, here is some good news: writing is a skill that everyone can improve. 

While you may have the idea that writing requires both great skill and years of experience, the truth is, with a bit of effort, almost everyone can improve on how they use the written word to communicate effectively. So, if your English courses have you fraught with worry, have no fear!  Here are three ways to improve your writing quickly.

Improve Spelling by Reading More (of Anything!)

Do you have difficulty with spelling? A relatively easy way to improve your spelling is to read more. Spelling, especially in English, is not simply writing down how a word sounds, it is also about how the word looks. When you read, you see how the word is written; and obviously, the more you read, the more words you see rather than just hear. 

But what can you do if you do not like reading? The answer is to think of a subject you like or are curious about, and then read about it. Can’t think of anything? Head over to your public library and talk with the librarian, or visit a local bookstore and browse the shelves and speak with an associate. Even a magazine rack might have something that piques your interest. If you tell a friend you want to read more but don’t like reading, they will help you find something interesting. And voilà, you’ll be a voracious reader in no time. You can even read magazines, articles like this on the web, or e-books.

Good Writing Software with Improve your Grammar

Another great way to get your writing skills up to snuff is to get good writing software. Even the best professional authors need a bit of help because they make typos, spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors, too. The spell-check programs included with your computer’s word processing apps don’t go into enough detail; they can miss their fair share of mistakes. 

Good software explains grammar, regional variations of language, and helps keep your tone and level of formality consistent. Some applications will even point out mistakes in logic, sentence structure, and formatting. Others will include a plagiarism checker:  this means the software will compare what you have written to millions of articles on websites across the web to make sure you have not copied someone else’s work (on purpose or by mistake). 

But with so many choices out there, which app or program should you get?

Grammarly is a fantastic tool to get started; it is easy to use and best of all, it has a free version you can use any time. It covers the basics: spelling, grammar, tone, and formality. Before it checks your document, it also asks about your intended audience. This is important because you will need to change your style depending on who is reading. For example, if children will be reading, you will use simpler language; if professional academics will be reading, you can use more formal structures and advanced vocabulary. 

Practice

Finally, after you have started to read more and have installed a good grammar and spelling app on your computer, you will continue improving your writing quickly if you practice. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

Practice at home by writing 500-word essays or articles by hand with a pen and paper. Have a dictionary with you (a book or online), and ask a friend or someone at home to time you and to give you a topic.  Start writing, complete your essay, then edit and correct what you wrote.  Keep track of how much time you took, and you will notice that your writing speed will improve. To check your progress, ask a friend to look over your work. In most cases, they will be delighted to help. 

And last but not least, a great way to get some writing practice is to create your own blog on wordpress.org, a free publishing platform that requires little in the way of technical skill. Write about anything or everything you are passionate about. You can write about hobbies, sports, life, current events, family, school, or whatever else interests you. Just remember to run everything through your grammar software before posting to the public!  And most of all, have fun with it. 

In Conclusion

Writing should never be intimidating; it is one of our primary methods of communication. You might think that your writing skills will never improve, but don’t worry; all you need to do is shake things up a bit by reading more, practicing, and having a bit of fun. 

Writing is a skill; as mentioned above, with practice, you will be able to write effectively in a variety of styles. Your English composition classes won’t frighten you anymore, and you might enjoy writing so much that you decide to become a professional blogger or writer!

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Teachers, friends, and even co-workers are the best resources out there and are always ready to welcome you to the wonderful world of writing.