10 Must Follow Tips for Effective Writing
Rean John Uehara
It is time to discuss about what readers, in general, would want to read and what they don’t want to. There are just writings that people tend to flock to or avoid at any cost. There are several factors involved in identifying what readers will surely want to read, regardless of the subject.
Writing is not just about generating income, it is also an art that should be made closer to perfection with every words. Below are some tips that I see effective writers apply.
Tip #1: Avoid redundant sentences.
Image by: Charlotte D
If you haven’t noticed yet after reading the first tip, the first paragraph’s first and last sentence talk about the same thing: what readers want to read. It should not go like that, once or twice is pardonable but several of those redundant sentences would just irritate your readers. Doing such congests their minds.
Tip #2: If there’s a word for it, use it.
Image by: Simon Cataudo
Words are made to shrink thoughts in form of phrases. Make it faster to read and understand. Instead of writing “it was an unprecedented event that caused this” say “it was an accident”.
Writers, especially those who are very particular with SEO, would always think of word count and use all possible keywords which might exhaust the readers that would make them just go away. An eloquent writing is best for instructional and creative writing. This will also balance quality and quantity.
Tip #3: It is always ‘your’ not ‘our’.
Image by: Andrew Beierle
You are the writer, you tell; your readers will gain more confidence on you and your writing if it seems to them that you are in a far away place and not among them. Say “your website will look great with this add-on!” instead of saying “our website will look great…” Besides, ‘your’ sounds better.
Tell your readers things that will make their life better in every faculties possible. Make them feel important, because they really are! (Really, YOU are important!)
Tip #4: Do not command, just suggest.
Your readers don’t want you to be commanding them to do things. Instead of saying “use this tool” say “I find this tool very useful”. Although the phrase points to you finding the tool “very useful” it will give the reader an idea that it is indeed good, and might use it. Everyone has their ego to protect, yes it applies here too. A declarative sentence is more favorable than a command sentence.
You should follow these steps for you to be a good writer. Instant turn-off.
Tip #5: Strong words, strong memory.
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Make your sentences strong enough so that you won’t have to repeat it. Doing this will automatically earn you your medal for abiding by Tip #1.
People quote favorite movie lines, or from a book, because these impacted them in a way so strong they can’t just simply forget. Keep in mind that a strong word is sometimes backed-up by another word next to it, or before it.
Tip #6: Let them guess.
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Do not give it all on the first half of your post; add an air of mystery, leave a question, excite them and they will want for more. In a novel this is called a “page-turner” and in a blog post it is what makes readers stay and finish the whole post. Think that visitors are busy people with a very short time to spare for a post without excitement, they might not stay longer than 60 seconds. Keep on making them think, or say, “what’s next? what’s next?” but your goal should be “awww I want more!”
Tip #7: Figures of speech.
Usually when a writer explains a piece of very complicated material there is always the worry of boring the readers to death. One time I was asked to proofread an article about physics, specifically about the Higgs Field, I almost turned down the offer because that’s the first time I heard of the scientific term. But being a science enthusiast I accepted. What followed was pure hell. In the end I understood what Higgs Field is because of an analogy, he compared it to a swimming pool and I was able to do the job. Now what I just said is boring, here it goes: it’s like trying to understand what income tax is when it can be explained by “it is your contribution to the government’s budget.”
Tip #8: Humor.
Image by: Mary Ellen Rynes
You may add humor to lighten up the subject and make your readers feel at ease with you. It should not be forced, it should appear as naturally as possible. People deserve to smile while reading, and they will like you for making their hectic day lighter. And because you are hurrying to read the tips you haven’t noticed that there is actually no Tip #5. Now you are smiling.
Tip #9: Try before suggesting.
Nothing beats experience, really. I will not suggest things to my readers which I have not yet tried and proven. I fear seeing a comment below my article saying “&#^(@# that ruined the whole development process!!!” or read “That is so outdated.” Your credibility as a writer is on the line in everything you write, it is subject to many criticisms so better be cautious and share only what you have experienced first-hand or has a good knowledge of, even theoretical.
Tip #10: Read others’ work.
Image by: Ove Tøpfer
Not only does this increase your knowledge about the current happenings, it also gives you an idea on what people want to read and what they try to avoid. There is actually no such thing as “I didn’t learn anything from that” because you just did, you just learned it wasn’t effective (in a general sense).
I have never seen anything so insubstantial that I never learned something from.
In a Nutshell:
- Avoid redundant sentences.
- If there’s a word for it, use it.
- It is always ‘your’ not ‘our’.
- Do not command, just suggest.
- Strong words, strong memory.
- Let them guess.
- Figures of speech.
- Humor.
- Try before suggesting.
- Read other’s work.
Extra tip: If it doesn’t sound good, rephrase it.
Ultimately by applying some of these tips you are, little by little, creating your own persona amongst the legion of readers in the world wide web. They will know who you are based on the way you write. Priceless.
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Chiranjeev
Posted 7 days ago 20Really Very helpfull tips to writing a blog post. Thanks for sharing this.
Jordan
Posted 30 days ago 19Some great tips here. I am always looking to improve my ability to write. Thank yu for sharing!
Ryan
Posted 94 days ago 18I’m still amazed at peoples redundancy to avoid redundant sentences.
angelic
Posted 101 days ago 17thanks .. i really need to know all the tips .. :)
HarryV
Posted 109 days ago 16The ‘your’ not ‘our’ comment makes me think of how few writers online seem to understand the difference between you’re and your. Literacy seems to rank as an unnecessary requirement for putting your thoughts out on the internet :-)
Ritesh
Posted 109 days ago 15I will try to implement this,
Thanks for share…..
Rudy Chou
Posted 127 days ago 14Short, concise, concrete tips for better writing.
Obviously, the art of content development and copywriting goes beyond the things you’ve mentioned but in general, its great practice.
I tend to find a topic, subject or thought and to just write. It could all just be subheads supporting the main theme. And then I write more. Afterwards, I whittle it down in half and re-read and cut out even more but the most important pieces of information I’d like to share.
-Rudy
IWT
Posted 236 days ago 13Rean, really it is a good article. No doubt, you are a good content writer. Your tips are really useful.
Thanks. Keep up the good work!
Earlean Taney
Posted 247 days ago 12There are alot of diverse opinions relating to these matters.
Sreejesh@techgyo
Posted 312 days ago 11I liked all the point of yours especially the last 4, reading others work can give you more ideas. Overall a wonderful post for reading. Thanks.
Teddy Burriss
Posted 478 days ago 10Thanks for good points to consider. I appreciate the ideas for better writing as I continue my journey into public story telling.
Paul Crowe
Posted 479 days ago 9Great read ..
Rahul @ MazaKaro
Posted 481 days ago 8Very impressive , what shall i say about this , Great and unique !! i can’t tell you which point i liked the most cause all of them were terrificly done.. i’ll try ; i loved the way we have to talk with “my” not “our” and this is a good way to make more audience , humor will be helpful absolutely !!! Great post !! :)
Houston web design company
Posted 481 days ago 7hey the article is really wonderful. Really helpful for technical and non-technical writers. Must keep these mentioned tips while writing anything.
Focus should be on words.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Maxsedo46
Posted 482 days ago 6this post is simple but has good quality. take a look at the content, i believe every one is agree with this 10 Tips for Effective Writing. But i am sure some of us forgetting many points from those 10 points. this article has remind us again how to make an effective writing. thanks to you the author. great job. keep doing the best in the future.It’s very nice post.
Inspirationfeed
Posted 482 days ago 5Lovely tips, very happy you published this article!
Rean John Uehara
Posted 482 days ago 4Got that. Now I might write about apostrophes. *laughs*
Binoy xavier
Posted 482 days ago 3Cool post. Well laid thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
Carol Tice - Writer
Posted 482 days ago 2Tip #11 – Read others’ work. To learn about grammar.
But otherwise, great solid list.
seelts
Posted 482 days ago 1good