Caveat: You\u2019ll always see some writers breaking these rules,\nbut the best writers do so intentionally. Once you know and understand the\nrules, you can determine when and where it\u2019s appropriate to break them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Avoid starting a\nsentence with \u201cthere are,\u201d \u201chere are,\u201d etc.<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis is a boring and lazy way to start a sentence. Your verb\nis typically the most important word in the sentence, so why use \u201cis\u201d or \u201care\u201d\nwhen you have so many options to choose from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: There are a few reasons why Jem and Scout were\nvulnerable to Mr. Ewell’s attack<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Jem and Scout were vulnerable to Mr. Ewell\u2019s attack\nfor several reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bonus points if you noticed that \u201cwhy\u201d is unnecessary in the\nfirst sentence. \u201cReasons\u201d by itself is sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Don\u2019t refer to your\narticle within itself<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnline content is not a term paper. You don\u2019t need to tell\nus what you\u2019re going to say, and then say it, and then recap it. Avoid the\ntemptation to state, \u201cthis article will show you how \u2026\u201d etc. Just get to the\npoint. Remember that people don\u2019t read online content; they scan it. Don\u2019t\nwaste their time by repeating information unnecessarily. However, you can and\ntypically should give them a reason to keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: In this article, we will discuss several ways\nthat you can become a better writer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Continue reading for 14 tips that will help you\nimprove your writing — and that will ultimately allow you to charge more for\nyour services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Avoid using several\nshort words in a row<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA sentence full of several short words in succession can be\ndifficult to read. To make your content flow, use a combination of shorter and\nlonger words. See if you can replace several shorter words with longer, more\nprecise words. For example, I\u2019ve used \u201cseveral\u201d in this section instead of \u201ca\nlot of.\u201d If you\u2019re getting paid by the word, it may be tempting to stuff your\ncontent with unnecessary words, but this can make your writing come across as\namateur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: Take the time to check and make sure that your\ncontent is error-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Review your content a final time to check for\ngrammatical errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Vary your sentence\nlength and structure<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe general rule for content readability is that it should\nbe written at a fifth-grade level. This leads some writers to produce content\nthat is boring and stilted. For writing to flow, it should contain a\ncombination of simple and complex sentences. You\u2019ve likely seen the advice\nshown below, from writing instructor Gary Provost. Notice how varying sentence\nlength and structure makes the writing come alive. Even sentence fragments can\nbe employed if they make sense in the flow of the paragraph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/1600\/1*EUkybnv_OYbDMMJ61SaXTw.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Avoid unnecessary filler\ncontent<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis is another device often employed by writers looking to\npad their word count. Unnecessary commentary such as \u201cit\u2019s true,\u201d \u201cneedless to\nsay,\u201d or \u201cas we\u2019ve previously mentioned\u201d is another example of bloated writing\nthat slows down the flow of the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If something is truly \u201cneedless to say,\u201d then why are you\nsaying it? If you\u2019re tempted to use these or similar expressions, ask yourself\nif they actually add anything to the sentence. If the answer is no, leave them\nout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: Needless to say, you want your writing to be\nof the utmost quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Provide your clients with high-quality content, and\nthey\u2019ll come back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Avoid clich\u00e9s<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nResist the temptation to let clich\u00e9s sneak into your\nwriting. They always come across as amateur. This includes common phrases such\nas \u201cthere\u2019s nothing worse than\u201d or \u201crest assured.\u201d There\u2019s little chance that\npeople are actually losing sleep over whatever you\u2019re writing about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: There\u2019s nothing worse than not being able to\nfall asleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Sleep deprivation can lead to stress, anxiety, a\nweakened immune system, difficulty concentrating, and other health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Be specific<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpecificity is always more impactful in writing. Avoid\nsweeping statements and broad generalizations that can\u2019t be supported with\nstudies or other documentation. Be specific, and always provide references for\nany statistics. This goes double if you\u2019re doing medical\nwriting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPoor writing: People who take DNA tests lose more weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: People who follow a diet suited to their genetics\ncan lose up to 287% more\nexcess weight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Don\u2019t use \u201cit\u201d without a\nclear antecedent<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u201d is a pronoun, which is a word that stands in for\nanother word. I often see writers using \u201cit\u201d without a clear antecedent. Any\ntime you use a pronoun, make it clear what that pronoun is referring to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: If you notice you\u2019re gaining weight, you can\ndo something about it before it gets too difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is used twice in this sentence to refer to two different\nthings: the weight gain itself, and the process of losing weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: If you notice you\u2019re gaining weight, you can start\nto change your diet and lifestyle habits before your weight gets out of\ncontrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Avoid using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d\nwithout a logical progression<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI see a lot of writers using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d as a way to express\na wide variety of items. But often no logical relationship exists between the\nitems listed. Using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d implies a continuum, a progression in which one\nitem is related to the next. You can\u2019t just throw \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d into a random\nlist of items and expect it to make sense. Even worse, I see writers using \u201cto\u201d\nseveral times in a progression, which just makes things sloppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: From choosing the right footwear and using\nshoe inserts, to stretching, splints, steroids, and pain medications, these\noptions can alleviate discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Treatment options such as choosing the right\nfootwear, using shoe inserts, stretching, and pain medications can help alleviate\ndiscomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do use \u201cfrom\u201d and \u201cto,\u201d make sure the progression\nmakes sense. For example, \u201cWe sell everything you need for school, from pens to\nlaptops.\u201d This progression makes sense because pens are at the low end of the\nprice continuum, while laptops are at the higher end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Pay attention to\nsubject-verb agreement<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSubject-verb agreement is a pretty straightforward concept\nmost of the time. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural\nsubject takes a plural verb. But certain situations can trip up writers.\nConsider the following example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither of the pies is\/are gluten-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the correct verb in this sentence? If you said is, you\u2019re correct. The subject is neither, which takes a singular verb. But most people see the plural word \u201cpies\u201d and think that it requires a plural verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/writingexplained.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Either-or-neither-nor.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n11. Watch for dangling modifiers<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you understand dangling modifiers, you will see them\neverywhere. A dangling modifier is a descriptive clause, usually appearing at\nthe beginning of a sentence, that modifies the wrong noun. Consider this\nexample from an article about\naudiobooks narrated by Game of Thrones actors<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cReleased on April 4, Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn star as\nfighting brothers in this 1980 dark comedy by Sam Shepard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReleased on April 4\u201d is a dangling modifier. What was released on April 4? Obviously, the writer is referring to the audiobook True West, but that\u2019s not how the sentence is written. The sentence literally says that Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn were released on April 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/contenthub-static.grammarly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/76hygf.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n12. Look up words you aren\u2019t\nsure about<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis may seem like a no-brainer, but I\u2019ve seen plenty of\nwriters use the wrong word. If you aren\u2019t sure what a word means or aren\u2019t sure\nif you\u2019re using the right version of a homophone, take the time to look it up, or\nuse a different word. You\u2019ll come across as an amateur if you use \u201cinsure\u201d when\nyou should have written \u201censure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Read your material out loud<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBefore sending your work off to a client, read it out loud.\nYou\u2019ll be more likely to notice places where the phrasing is awkward or the\nsentences are bogged down with unnecessary words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Let it sit for 24 hours<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAvoid doing all your writing work at the last minute. Aim to\nfinish your writing assignments at least 24 hours before they\u2019re due, and then\ngive them another pass before you submit. After letting your articles sit for a\nwhile, you\u2019ll likely notice different opportunities for improvement, which will\nallow you to make your work that much more polished before you send it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Online content is not a term paper. You don\u2019t need to tell\nus what you\u2019re going to say, and then say it, and then recap it. Avoid the\ntemptation to state, \u201cthis article will show you how \u2026\u201d etc. Just get to the\npoint. Remember that people don\u2019t read online content; they scan it. Don\u2019t\nwaste their time by repeating information unnecessarily. However, you can and\ntypically should give them a reason to keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: In this article, we will discuss several ways\nthat you can become a better writer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Continue reading for 14 tips that will help you\nimprove your writing — and that will ultimately allow you to charge more for\nyour services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Avoid using several\nshort words in a row<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA sentence full of several short words in succession can be\ndifficult to read. To make your content flow, use a combination of shorter and\nlonger words. See if you can replace several shorter words with longer, more\nprecise words. For example, I\u2019ve used \u201cseveral\u201d in this section instead of \u201ca\nlot of.\u201d If you\u2019re getting paid by the word, it may be tempting to stuff your\ncontent with unnecessary words, but this can make your writing come across as\namateur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: Take the time to check and make sure that your\ncontent is error-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Review your content a final time to check for\ngrammatical errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Vary your sentence\nlength and structure<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe general rule for content readability is that it should\nbe written at a fifth-grade level. This leads some writers to produce content\nthat is boring and stilted. For writing to flow, it should contain a\ncombination of simple and complex sentences. You\u2019ve likely seen the advice\nshown below, from writing instructor Gary Provost. Notice how varying sentence\nlength and structure makes the writing come alive. Even sentence fragments can\nbe employed if they make sense in the flow of the paragraph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Avoid unnecessary filler\ncontent<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis is another device often employed by writers looking to\npad their word count. Unnecessary commentary such as \u201cit\u2019s true,\u201d \u201cneedless to\nsay,\u201d or \u201cas we\u2019ve previously mentioned\u201d is another example of bloated writing\nthat slows down the flow of the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If something is truly \u201cneedless to say,\u201d then why are you\nsaying it? If you\u2019re tempted to use these or similar expressions, ask yourself\nif they actually add anything to the sentence. If the answer is no, leave them\nout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: Needless to say, you want your writing to be\nof the utmost quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Provide your clients with high-quality content, and\nthey\u2019ll come back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Avoid clich\u00e9s<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nResist the temptation to let clich\u00e9s sneak into your\nwriting. They always come across as amateur. This includes common phrases such\nas \u201cthere\u2019s nothing worse than\u201d or \u201crest assured.\u201d There\u2019s little chance that\npeople are actually losing sleep over whatever you\u2019re writing about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: There\u2019s nothing worse than not being able to\nfall asleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Sleep deprivation can lead to stress, anxiety, a\nweakened immune system, difficulty concentrating, and other health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Be specific<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpecificity is always more impactful in writing. Avoid\nsweeping statements and broad generalizations that can\u2019t be supported with\nstudies or other documentation. Be specific, and always provide references for\nany statistics. This goes double if you\u2019re doing medical\nwriting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPoor writing: People who take DNA tests lose more weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: People who follow a diet suited to their genetics\ncan lose up to 287% more\nexcess weight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Don\u2019t use \u201cit\u201d without a\nclear antecedent<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u201d is a pronoun, which is a word that stands in for\nanother word. I often see writers using \u201cit\u201d without a clear antecedent. Any\ntime you use a pronoun, make it clear what that pronoun is referring to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: If you notice you\u2019re gaining weight, you can\ndo something about it before it gets too difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is used twice in this sentence to refer to two different\nthings: the weight gain itself, and the process of losing weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: If you notice you\u2019re gaining weight, you can start\nto change your diet and lifestyle habits before your weight gets out of\ncontrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Avoid using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d\nwithout a logical progression<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI see a lot of writers using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d as a way to express\na wide variety of items. But often no logical relationship exists between the\nitems listed. Using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d implies a continuum, a progression in which one\nitem is related to the next. You can\u2019t just throw \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d into a random\nlist of items and expect it to make sense. Even worse, I see writers using \u201cto\u201d\nseveral times in a progression, which just makes things sloppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poor writing: From choosing the right footwear and using\nshoe inserts, to stretching, splints, steroids, and pain medications, these\noptions can alleviate discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better: Treatment options such as choosing the right\nfootwear, using shoe inserts, stretching, and pain medications can help alleviate\ndiscomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do use \u201cfrom\u201d and \u201cto,\u201d make sure the progression\nmakes sense. For example, \u201cWe sell everything you need for school, from pens to\nlaptops.\u201d This progression makes sense because pens are at the low end of the\nprice continuum, while laptops are at the higher end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Pay attention to\nsubject-verb agreement<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSubject-verb agreement is a pretty straightforward concept\nmost of the time. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural\nsubject takes a plural verb. But certain situations can trip up writers.\nConsider the following example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither of the pies is\/are gluten-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the correct verb in this sentence? If you said is, you\u2019re correct. The subject is neither, which takes a singular verb. But most people see the plural word \u201cpies\u201d and think that it requires a plural verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n11. Watch for dangling modifiers<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you understand dangling modifiers, you will see them\neverywhere. A dangling modifier is a descriptive clause, usually appearing at\nthe beginning of a sentence, that modifies the wrong noun. Consider this\nexample from an article about\naudiobooks narrated by Game of Thrones actors<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cReleased on April 4, Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn star as\nfighting brothers in this 1980 dark comedy by Sam Shepard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReleased on April 4\u201d is a dangling modifier. What was released on April 4? Obviously, the writer is referring to the audiobook True West, but that\u2019s not how the sentence is written. The sentence literally says that Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn were released on April 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n12. Look up words you aren\u2019t\nsure about<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis may seem like a no-brainer, but I\u2019ve seen plenty of\nwriters use the wrong word. If you aren\u2019t sure what a word means or aren\u2019t sure\nif you\u2019re using the right version of a homophone, take the time to look it up, or\nuse a different word. You\u2019ll come across as an amateur if you use \u201cinsure\u201d when\nyou should have written \u201censure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Read your material out loud<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBefore sending your work off to a client, read it out loud.\nYou\u2019ll be more likely to notice places where the phrasing is awkward or the\nsentences are bogged down with unnecessary words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Let it sit for 24 hours<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAvoid doing all your writing work at the last minute. Aim to\nfinish your writing assignments at least 24 hours before they\u2019re due, and then\ngive them another pass before you submit. After letting your articles sit for a\nwhile, you\u2019ll likely notice different opportunities for improvement, which will\nallow you to make your work that much more polished before you send it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The general rule for content readability is that it should\nbe written at a fifth-grade level. This leads some writers to produce content\nthat is boring and stilted. For writing to flow, it should contain a\ncombination of simple and complex sentences. You\u2019ve likely seen the advice\nshown below, from writing instructor Gary Provost. Notice how varying sentence\nlength and structure makes the writing come alive. Even sentence fragments can\nbe employed if they make sense in the flow of the paragraph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is another device often employed by writers looking to\npad their word count. Unnecessary commentary such as \u201cit\u2019s true,\u201d \u201cneedless to\nsay,\u201d or \u201cas we\u2019ve previously mentioned\u201d is another example of bloated writing\nthat slows down the flow of the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If something is truly \u201cneedless to say,\u201d then why are you\nsaying it? If you\u2019re tempted to use these or similar expressions, ask yourself\nif they actually add anything to the sentence. If the answer is no, leave them\nout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor writing: Needless to say, you want your writing to be\nof the utmost quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Better: Provide your clients with high-quality content, and\nthey\u2019ll come back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resist the temptation to let clich\u00e9s sneak into your\nwriting. They always come across as amateur. This includes common phrases such\nas \u201cthere\u2019s nothing worse than\u201d or \u201crest assured.\u201d There\u2019s little chance that\npeople are actually losing sleep over whatever you\u2019re writing about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor writing: There\u2019s nothing worse than not being able to\nfall asleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Better: Sleep deprivation can lead to stress, anxiety, a\nweakened immune system, difficulty concentrating, and other health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Specificity is always more impactful in writing. Avoid\nsweeping statements and broad generalizations that can\u2019t be supported with\nstudies or other documentation. Be specific, and always provide references for\nany statistics. This goes double if you\u2019re doing medical\nwriting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor writing: People who take DNA tests lose more weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Better: People who follow a diet suited to their genetics\ncan lose up to 287% more\nexcess weight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u201d is a pronoun, which is a word that stands in for\nanother word. I often see writers using \u201cit\u201d without a clear antecedent. Any\ntime you use a pronoun, make it clear what that pronoun is referring to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor writing: If you notice you\u2019re gaining weight, you can\ndo something about it before it gets too difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is used twice in this sentence to refer to two different\nthings: the weight gain itself, and the process of losing weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Better: If you notice you\u2019re gaining weight, you can start\nto change your diet and lifestyle habits before your weight gets out of\ncontrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I see a lot of writers using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d as a way to express\na wide variety of items. But often no logical relationship exists between the\nitems listed. Using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d implies a continuum, a progression in which one\nitem is related to the next. You can\u2019t just throw \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d into a random\nlist of items and expect it to make sense. Even worse, I see writers using \u201cto\u201d\nseveral times in a progression, which just makes things sloppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor writing: From choosing the right footwear and using\nshoe inserts, to stretching, splints, steroids, and pain medications, these\noptions can alleviate discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Better: Treatment options such as choosing the right\nfootwear, using shoe inserts, stretching, and pain medications can help alleviate\ndiscomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do use \u201cfrom\u201d and \u201cto,\u201d make sure the progression\nmakes sense. For example, \u201cWe sell everything you need for school, from pens to\nlaptops.\u201d This progression makes sense because pens are at the low end of the\nprice continuum, while laptops are at the higher end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subject-verb agreement is a pretty straightforward concept\nmost of the time. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural\nsubject takes a plural verb. But certain situations can trip up writers.\nConsider the following example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neither of the pies is\/are gluten-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the correct verb in this sentence? If you said is, you\u2019re correct. The subject is neither, which takes a singular verb. But most people see the plural word \u201cpies\u201d and think that it requires a plural verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you understand dangling modifiers, you will see them\neverywhere. A dangling modifier is a descriptive clause, usually appearing at\nthe beginning of a sentence, that modifies the wrong noun. Consider this\nexample from an article about\naudiobooks narrated by Game of Thrones actors<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReleased on April 4, Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn star as\nfighting brothers in this 1980 dark comedy by Sam Shepard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReleased on April 4\u201d is a dangling modifier. What was released on April 4? Obviously, the writer is referring to the audiobook True West, but that\u2019s not how the sentence is written. The sentence literally says that Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn were released on April 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This may seem like a no-brainer, but I\u2019ve seen plenty of\nwriters use the wrong word. If you aren\u2019t sure what a word means or aren\u2019t sure\nif you\u2019re using the right version of a homophone, take the time to look it up, or\nuse a different word. You\u2019ll come across as an amateur if you use \u201cinsure\u201d when\nyou should have written \u201censure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before sending your work off to a client, read it out loud.\nYou\u2019ll be more likely to notice places where the phrasing is awkward or the\nsentences are bogged down with unnecessary words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid doing all your writing work at the last minute. Aim to\nfinish your writing assignments at least 24 hours before they\u2019re due, and then\ngive them another pass before you submit. After letting your articles sit for a\nwhile, you\u2019ll likely notice different opportunities for improvement, which will\nallow you to make your work that much more polished before you send it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Avoid unnecessary filler\ncontent<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Avoid clich\u00e9s<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Be specific<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Don\u2019t use \u201cit\u201d without a\nclear antecedent<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Avoid using \u201cfrom \u2026 to\u201d\nwithout a logical progression<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. Pay attention to\nsubject-verb agreement<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n11. Watch for dangling modifiers<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n12. Look up words you aren\u2019t\nsure about<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
13. Read your material out loud<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
14. Let it sit for 24 hours<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n