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In order to improve your English writing, it is important to have a plan. The most widely used plan involves five steps, which are more commonly known as the writing process. That is correct; there is a process. If this process is followed diligently, you can be confident that your finished work is well written.
The first step to improve your writing is to organize your thoughts by planning. It is important to first consider your audience. The words, sentence structure and format you use will vary depending on who will be reading your writing. The other part of the planning is to decide exactly what points you want to make. You can organize your thoughts through an outline. The method that you choose to organize your draft is not important. However, planning your draft beforehand is of vital importance.
The second step is to construct a draft. At this point, do not worry about spelling, sentence structure, or grammar. You will have ample opportunities to correct any mistakes later. Get your thoughts down on the paper or computer. Let your thoughts flow naturally and refer to your plan often to make sure that you are staying on topic. Once you have your draft complete, take a break. Grab a cup of coffee or go for a walk. The next step of the process will go much easier if you have let your brain rest and think about something else for a little while.
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The third step to improve your writing is to revise. This is arguably the most misunderstood part of the process. When you revise, words and sentences are added, removed and reordered. You might need to add sentences to clarify a thought or point. Conversely, there might be sections where you strayed off topic. In that case, remove the sentences that are unnecessary. Reordering your writing means that there might be a sentence that would be more effective or sound better if it were moved somewhere else. If so, move it. Read your draft over and over again. As you read, look for areas that can be improved. Once you feel that everything is exactly where you want it to be, you are ready to edit.
The fourth step to create your final draft is editing. This involves correcting any mistakes in spelling, punctuation, capitalization or grammar. Feel free to use as many resources as you can during this process. Dictionaries, thesauruses and grammar books are valuable tools in the editing phase. Do not rely on your computer to find all of the mistakes as it will often miss errors. Taking the time to edit by hand will ensure that your writing is error free.
The fifth step to create good writing is proofreading. You should always let someone else proofread your final draft and look for anything that you might have missed. Choose your proofreaders carefully. If you have difficulty with spelling, then find someone with strong spelling skills. Find strength in your area of weakness, and you will feel more confident in your own work.
The process of writing is not something that can be developed overnight, but it is learned over time. Even good writers need to constantly learn to improve their writing.
