FIVE WRITING STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU WRITE THE PERFECT PIECE
So, you’re stuck on how to start your newest writing task? Perhaps you’ve finished but you want to make sure it is an effective piece of writing that is well put together. No matter the situation, when one is tasked with a writing duty it can seem stressful and impossible to start. Fortunately, practicing effective writing strategies to generate ideas for your writing and help structure it is one of the best ways to get started.
Read on to learn the five most effective writing strategies used by writers for influential and powerful pieces of writing.
FIVE WRITING STRATEGIES TO START USING NOW
Writing good quality content can be tough, especially when you don’t know where to start. Luckily, we have a list of writing strategies under our sleeves that can help you take the first step to prepare your next masterpiece. Here’s everything you need to know.
OUTLINE
The first thing many people think of when brainstorming writing strategies, as well as what is taught in every writing course, is the outline. If you are not familiar with it, an outline is a list designed to show hierarchical relationships and structure your writing. You can use your outline to break down a main subject or topic into smaller sub-categories.
When finished, you should have a list of important points to write about from your topic as well as the order you are going to write in. For some, this part can be seen as very time-consuming. However, a well-put-together outline often leads to an excellent piece. When writing, like other things in life, practicing the basics can be very beneficial.
TARGET YOUR AUDIENCE
Much of a great writer’s work is done before pen hits paper, or fingers hit keys. If you want to write an effective and influential piece, you must know your audience. Your audience is the group of people you expect your piece to be read by. If you do not tailor your writing to your audience, they will not feel connected to it. That lack of connection is what causes many readers to abandon or not enjoy a piece of writing.
When targeting your audience, you should think of what interests them, what beliefs they may already have (positive and negative), and what questions they may have. Optimizing your writing to connect with your audience is one of the most effective strategies for great writers.
START YOUR PIECE WITH A STRONG SENSE OF DIRECTION
The first few sentences are the perfect opportunity to engage your audience and interest them in what you have to say. If you already know what points you are going to bring up, a strong lead-in in the introductory paragraph can prepare the audience for what is to come. You do not want to bore the audience with a dull lead-in that may make them want to stop reading.
Depending on your topic and the style of writing you are doing, there are different ways you can open strong. Using surprising statistics in your opening can help shock an audience. Powerful quotes can help motivate audiences and make them passionate about what you are writing about. No matter how you approach it, your opening should be strong enough to grab your audience’s attention and passionate enough to make them want more.
BE CONCISE
If you want to write effectively, the shorter the better. Short, easy to read, and compact sentences have more power than long ones. Always think of the audience when writing and acknowledge that they want to get to the information quickly. Compact sentences that go straight to the point get them that information promptly.
When writers begin to ramble on and jump back and forth between different points, they lose the reader. When you lose your reader, they likely become uninterested in your writing and (if they finish reading it) probably won’t remember your key points. A good rule of thumb to follow would be: if you can convey your point in less than 10 words, do it.
READ
If you want to be a good writer, you have to be a good reader. Whether you are an avid reader or only read when it is necessary, read more. The more you read, the more examples of good writing and techniques you are exposed to. Not to mention, it will also help you brush up on your vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar.
Consider reading topics and genres across the spectrum. The more diverse and experienced you are in these styles, the better prepared you are for the challenges writing brings. You may also find inspiration for your next piece in some of these works. Analyzing how other writers use specific tools to connect with their audience will make you a better writer yourself.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
While writing can seem like a difficult and time-consuming task, utilizing effective writing strategies can help you take on that challenge. Whether you are an experienced writer or beginner, practicing these strategies consistently can help make your writing powerful.
Your next step is to take some of these strategies into your next writing assignment. Whether it is for email marketing, blogging, or research, these five strategies are sure to make your writing process easier!
For more digital marketing tips, check out some of our other blogs from the Colibri Digital Marketing Team.
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