Five strategies to improve your writing

Writing is at the center of our daily lives. From coursework to communicating with colleagues or loved ones, writing is how we share our voice. Here are five simple strategies to improve the quality of your writing: 1) Start writing! Writing improves with practice. This practice can look like formal practice essays with prompts, keeping a journal, or even sitting in the park and recording what you see. Give yourself permission to write freely without editing in the moment. Bonus: this practice can also reduce stress! 2) Read in your spare time. The best writers are also great readers. This is not just about quantity, but quality. Find a balance of literature and lighter reads. This diversity will expose you to correct spelling and grammar, expand your vocabulary, and help you explore different voices. 3) Expand your vocabulary. Aside from reading, practicing with flashcards is the most powerful way to learn new words. I like to use a combination of flashcards designed for a standardized test and those that I create from words I find as I read. Fifteen minutes a day during your commute adds up quickly! 4) Pick up a crossword puzzle. Crosswords and other word puzzles give you a chance to apply your vocabulary, forcing you to recognize and recall words in different contexts. My favorite is The New York Times mini-crossword, which is free daily! 5) Put it on your calendar. As with all goals, improving your writing takes time. Schedule a regular time to write, join a book club, flip through flashcards, or do the crossword. Build this into your week, and make it something that you enjoy! Writing is one of the primary skills required of high school and college students. In addition to helping students learn how to structure and communicate their thoughts in writing, our expository writing tutors, like Rachel, will help you craft exciting, successful admissions essays, and beat standardized exams that test verbal skills. We have helped countless students shape their application narratives and transform their stories into compelling pieces of writing. ; Curious to learn more about the writing process? Check out some of our previous blog posts below: Four ways to become a (better) writer Breaking Down the Writing Process: 5 Tips Tips for Writing an Exam Essay in 80 minutes