We’re often too hard on ourselves when it comes to evaluating our writing. In all of us, there is the core of an inner writer. It is sometimes very hard to tap into this ability. And, as in sports or music, some of us are more gifted than others. But that doesn’t mean that you should shun the idea of improving your writing. Writing is a task that we’re all required to do at some point in our work lives.

Beverly Zibrak, Word Doc

So here are some tips on how to improve your writing. I hope they help and give you the confidence to continue honing your skills.

Master the basics. Stephen King wrote in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, “[I have] two theses, both simple. The first is that good writing consists of mastering the fundamentals (vocabulary, grammar, the elements of style). It is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.” In other words, we can all improve our writing. But we need to start with the fundamentals, remembering what we learned in English 101.

Good writers always review and edit what they have written.A first draft is just that. No one submits his or her first draft without editing it. Have someone else  review and edit your writing before you send it to a broader audience. Find someone who to check for typos and grammar. These people don’t have to be professionals, just have a keen eye. One of my best sources is a real estate agent who finds every error in my writing. Bad writers do not review anything. It may seem time-consuming and difficult, but in the long run editing our work is time well-spent.

Know when enough is enough. William Carlos Williams wrote: “To know when to quit when you’ve done. And not to have hangovers of other ideas sifting in unnoticed. Good writing is precisely like good dressing. Bad writing is like a badly dressed woman – improper emphasis, badly chosen colors.” In other words, say what you need to say and make your point, then exit. You will lose your audience if you ramble on.

Lastly, allow yourself to write badly. Julia Cameron wrote in The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation Into the Writing Life …. “Let it all in – every little detail that catches your fancy. You can sort it out later – if it needs any sorting.” Your first draft should be your longest piece of writing. When you fine tune what you have initially written, future drafts will be shorter and the ideas will hang together better.

To better writing and great success!

What do we know? In a newspaper interview, the comedian, author and playwright David Sedaris once said, “Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it’s just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it.” In point of fact, this is largely true. Whether it is a work of fiction, a newspaper article or some business writing, the reader takes away from it biased information. It is biased because we all bring our own opinions and prejudices to everything we read – and write.

What is writing to persuade? One of the most difficult types of writing to master is persuasive writing.  Persuasion is simply a way of convincing someone else of your point of view. You can use persuasion to plead your case, sway others to your way of thinking, and as a way of leveraging your influence in order to get the reader to agree with you.

A proposal, pitch and query are examples of types of persuasive writing that all writers must employ. There’s simply no way around selling yourself, unless you aspire to only be read after your death. Arguing skillfully is a potent tool. Writers need to know how and when to use it. Here are some strategies you can use for writing a persuasive piece. And, in reality, all writing has an element of persuasion in it.

Don’t rant and rave. Raging on and on in an agitated fashion about your biases has never been a particularly effective call to action or an efficient way to change people’s minds. However, arguing the reverse argument with some passion might be a persuasive way to show just how absurd the opposing point of view is, which may illustrate the wisdom of your perspective. Then coolly and in an objective tone argue your case.

Paint a picture of the positive benefits of your position. Or conversely, paint a picture of the negative impact of a differing point of view. Go with facts whenever possible rather than what might or could happen. Avoid high emotion and histrionics. But provide graphic details to make your argument.

Explore a list of reasons as a strategy. Strive to build your argument from the ground up. Don’t present your conclusion before you give step-by-step arguments for your case. You can also describe the opposite position and then proceed to build a case for how flawed that way of thinking is, point by detailed point.

Why not try cajoling instead of issuing orders? Be encouraging. Be inspiring. Create a call to action and invoke a sense of what things could be like if the reader accepts and agrees with your argument. Let your readers know that feeling good will be the result of their allegiance to your point of view.

Just ask! In the end, people will often do what you suggest or even agree with you, not for any of the reasons above, but simply because you were persistent, invested, and a wee bit insistent. Sometimes people will let you persuade them just to have closure.

When writing to persuade, use the tools at your disposal — whatever it takes. Then make your case, take a stand, build your argument, ask for assistance, and then exit. Rambling on and on will only dilute your argument and your case.

I hope this information has been useful and has persuaded you to try some persuasive writing to convince and inform your clients and customers.