Improve your writing with three simple steps
A video going through three things a person can do, in my opinion to improve their writing.
Transcript
Slide 1
Hi, in this video I’m going to be demonstrating three simple steps to help you improve your non fiction writing.
Slide 2
By adding in the element of description, the audience experiences it, as if they are there at the time, we would then go back into our usual non fiction writing style. This makes the text refreshing and more relatable.
At the restaurant the waiters were very rude.
This is a bit limited and leave a lot to the imagination.
Upon arrival the waiter coughed loudly and fixing me with an annoyed glare asked: ‘what do you want.’
By describing the scene we make it more memorable and show the audience what the experience was like, rather than just telling them.
Slide 3
By using vivid adjectives and imagery you can engage the reader and make your writing more gripping and memorable. Originality is key, both in the words you use and the images you chose to create.
Imagery – painting a picture with words.
The golden syrup cascades from it’s small metallic cup, drizzling down thick, fluffy layers of still warm pancakes.
Photo by Chad Montano on Unsplash
Slide 4
2) Replace boring words, used too often and know when to delete a word
One of the problems I’ve noticed with some of my unplanned writing, is that I use the terms such as ‘really nice’ far too much, I should consider occasionally using some better, more interesting adjectives in it’s place.
Looking back at my writing I replaced a few of the boring words with more interesting ones and read them back to myself.
I’ve also used and too much when I could simply have used a comma instead.
Apart from the rudeness of the waiter I had a really nice time. The food was good and hot and the atmosphere was nice too.
Apart from the rudeness of the waiter I had a pleasant time. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was really upbeat.
Slide 5
When using less boing words, you will have less of a need to use unnecessary words.
Yesterday I had a really good day.
Yesterday I had a fantastic day.
More sophisticated words can convey meaning a little easier than more basic words.
Slide 6
Here we have the sentence I’ve just worked on. Rather than just saying that the atmosphere was upbeat and leaving it at that, I might want to add some extra detail that shows how it was pleasant.
Apart from the rudeness of the waiter I had a pleasant time. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was really upbeat. There was a band playing subdued party music and everyone around us was having a good time, with no one becoming too loud and we never felt rushed from our seats. We were so comfortable we ordered coffee after desert and ended up staying an extra twenty minutes, all with full and satisfied stomachs.
Slide 7
To sum up:
1)Non fiction can be descriptive at times.
2) Replace boring words, used too often and know when to delete a word.
3) Try to avoid always being vague, give the audience some interesting detail.
So those were three steps for improving your writing, none of which are easy but with a little practice will help you write better.
Slide 8
Finally for more English videos be sure to check out Write-on-resources.
