If you are an inexperienced writer and would like to improve your writing skills, then here are some quick tips to help you get started.
1. Use simple words. Writing that is hard to understand is poorly written, not impressive.
2. Prefer the short word to the long. Keep your sentences also fairly short. Clarity and precision can be achieved if you use short words and short sentences.
3. Make sure that your sentences flow together well. Sometimes, inexperienced writers simply break longer sentences into smaller ones that do not blend together smoothly. Rewrite the sentences to improve the flow of your writing and also to ensure that there is a proper sequencing.
4. Do not use the the same word too frequently, as this can make one’s work sound repetitive.
5. Get yourself a thesaurus and a dictionary. These are extremely helpful tools when you are struggling to find the right word. The correct word usage is extremely important.
6. Do not rely too much on your word processor’s grammar and spelling checking features. Their capabilities are limited. Also, a spell checker is just a tool. It does not know the difference between "they're," "there" and "their." It can not determine whether a particular spelling is the correct one for the context. The easiest way to improve spelling and grammar is to read good books.
7. Target your writing towards an intelligent, enthusiastic, but non-expert reader and your writing confidence will grow. If you present too much information too quickly, chances are that the readers will balk. When you are done, go through the same questions you asked yourself when starting to write. Have you said what you wanted to say? Did you use as few words as possible? Will your readers be still with you at the end? If your answers are all positive, it means you have done a wonderful job.
8. Get a copy of "The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words" by Arthur Plotnik. This book is incredibly helpful.
9. There's a saying, "Practice makes perfect". If you want to be a good writer, then keep writing. A little time and lots of practice are all that you need now.
10. Proofread your work over and over again. When you have finished writing, have a professional proofreader check your final work.
The most important thing an inexperienced writer should do is to make the reader's job easier. You should be able to communicate what you want to communicate. An ill-formed, confusing sentence can eventually be understood, but there is no need to waste the reader's time trying to figure out what you have meant. So, practice writing. The more you practice good writing, the easier it becomes. Best of luck!!
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