Read. That’s the surefire way to improve your writing. But if you’re looking for quicker tips, try these.
Write for the reader
When you journal, write for yourself. Everything else? Write for the reader.
Your reader wants to relax into your essays. They want to know they’re in good hands. If you convince them from the get-go that you’ve got the wheel, half your work is done. Confident in your skills, they’ll happily be your passenger. Take them on a fabulous ride.
So your hook is smart, and your introduction rocks. Does that mean ease up? Nope. It means your writer might move onto the next paragraph. Remember, a stellar opener accounts for only part of the job.
The other parts demand that you continue to consider your reader’s perspective. Too many writers are satisfied with pleasing themselves. Your job is to please your reader. Say something fresh, distill ideas to their essence, unknot your sentences, choose each word with care, and slide into your reader’s imaginary earbuds to hear your writing.
Is the reader pleased? Then good.
Cut the fat
When you eliminate excess, your writing sings. Squeeze each phrase. Wring it like a wet washcloth. That adverb better be worth it, and I doubt it is.
Read it aloud
Find a private place to read your work aloud. You must hear it to determine if the words work together. Does it read easily? Does it sound rhythmic? Will it propel the reader to the next sentence, the next paragraph? Listen to your writing.
Then listen to someone else read it aloud. Do they stumble? Take note. Make changes.
Throw it away
Most writers hate throwing away what they’ve written, but all good writers know they must. Be willing to strike parts. Be willing to start over.
To make this part of the writing process easier, save what you’ve written in another file for another day. In terms of your college essays (because that’s what we’re really talking about), all your writing could be used in a future essay. For example, the scraps from your Common App prompts might make their way to a supplemental or an honors program application or a scholarship essay. None of your brainstorming or drafting is time wasted.
Set your alarm
Wake up early Sunday morning to write. I know you need to sleep in one day of the weekend, if possible, but don’t slouch your way through both. Set your alarm, eat your breakfast, and work on your writing.
Routines matter. Make weekend morning writing part of yours.
Write, write, write
Your writing won’t improve without practice. You must write often in order to write well. So write, write, write.
Improve your college essay writing
Improving your college essay writing is the real purpose of this post. I want you to sharpen your college essay writing skills, and those skills overlap with garden-variety writing skills. If you want your college essays to make their mark, if you want them to make a difference, then your message as well as your prose must be compelling. Tips like the ones above can help.
True, I want your college essays to move your application to the admit pile, but that’s not all. I want you to become a better writer. You’re going to get into college. Once you get there, you’ll need to write. The work you do now will have a positive effect on your writing in the future. Talk about nothing being a waste of time! This work on your college essays is going to pay off. Pay attention, practice, and write like a pro.
Read more tips HERE.
Photo credit: Nick Morrison
Comments