10 Ways to Become a Better Writer in 10 Minutes

Every job involves writing—emails, reports, and so on. And most jobs require a lot more writing on top of that. Being able to write clearly, concisely, and accurately is essential and will go a long way in impressing your boss, co-workers, and professional contacts.

However, for most of us, it’s been a long time since our last English class. That’s why we’ve created a helpful list of 10 ways you can improve your writing. Bonus: Not a one takes more than 10 minutes.

1. In 2 Minutes: Scan your work for clichés, and if you find them, cut them. (Inside Higher Ed)

2. In 2 Minutes: Lay out your goal. That way you’ll avoid rambling or going off-topic. (Inc.)

3. In 4 Minutes: Change passive verbs to active ones. Your writing will become more purposeful. (About.com)

4. In 5 Minutes: Say out loud what you’re trying to write. Talking it out will make your writing more natural and understandable. (The Sparkline)

5. In 6 Minutes: Review the weak words you should never use when writing. (Goins, Writer)

6. In 7 Minutes: Make sure each of your paragraphs supports just one idea. (Remarkable Communication)

7. In 8 Minutes: Read the insights of 25 incredible authors. (99U)

8. In 9 Minutes: Complete this quick exercise that’ll instantly improve your style. (Writer’s Digest)

9. In 10 Minutes: Go for a run and stimulate those creative juices. (Write to Done)

10. In 10 Minutes: Check out the writing mistakes you’re probably making. (Huffington Post)

Want more help on becoming the next Hemingway? Okay, no promises. But you should still check out our suggestions:

• Why Writing Well Could Mean a Higher Salary (No Matter What You Do)
• An Editor’s Guide to Writing Ridiculously Good Emails
• 5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing

Photo of person writing courtesy of Shutterstock.