Writing Tips & Resources

Essential Writing Tips

Start with an Outline

Before you begin writing, create a clear outline of your main points. This provides structure and prevents you from going off-topic.

Know Your Audience

Understand who you're writing for and adjust your tone, language, and complexity accordingly. What works for experts won't work for beginners.

Write First, Edit Later

Get your thoughts down without worrying about perfection. You can always refine your work during the editing phase.

Use Active Voice

Active voice makes your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "The report was written," say "I wrote the report."

Be Concise

Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases. Good writing is clear and to the point, not padded with fluff.

The Writing Process

  1. 1. Prewriting

    Before you start writing, take time to brainstorm ideas, research your topic, and organize your thoughts.

    • Brainstorm using mind maps or free writing
    • Research thoroughly from credible sources
    • Create an outline with main points and supporting details
  2. 2. Drafting

    Write your first draft focusing on getting your ideas down without worrying too much about perfect language or structure.

    • Follow your outline but allow flexibility
    • Write without censoring yourself
    • Don't get stuck on finding the perfect word
  3. 3. Revising

    Review your draft for content and organization. This is where you refine your ideas, improve the flow, and strengthen your arguments.

    • Evaluate if your writing achieves its purpose
    • Ensure logical organization and smooth transitions
    • Add, remove, or rearrange content as needed
  4. 4. Editing & Proofreading

    Polish your writing by checking for grammar, punctuation, spelling errors, and clarity issues.

    • Check for grammatical errors and typos
    • Ensure consistent tone and style
    • Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
    • Consider having someone else review your work

Recommended Resources

Books

  • 1 On Writing Well by William Zinsser
  • 2 The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
  • 3 Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
  • 4 On Writing by Stephen King

Online Resources

  • 1 Grammarly - For grammar and spelling checks
  • 2 Hemingway Editor - For readability analysis
  • 3 The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
  • 4 MasterClass Writing Courses