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.
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In 2 Minutes: Scan your work for clichés, and if you find them, cut them. (Inside Higher Ed)
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In 2 Minutes: Lay out your goal. That way you’ll avoid rambling or going off-topic. (Inc.)
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In 4 Minutes: Change passive verbs to active ones. Your writing will become more purposeful. (About.com)
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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)
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In 6 Minutes: Review the weak words you should never use when writing. (Goins, Writer)
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In 7 Minutes: Make sure each of your paragraphs supports just one idea. (Remarkable Communication)
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In 8 Minutes: Read the insights of 25 incredible authors. (99U)
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In 9 Minutes: Complete this quick exercise that’ll instantly improve your style. (Writer’s Digest)
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In 10 Minutes: Go for a run and stimulate those creative juices. (Write to Done)
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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