Writing is a skill that everyone in the working world needs to possess in order to advance. If you can’t read and write like everyone else in the educated world, then you’re going have some real issues getting your point across to those that are employing you. Even if you don’t have to write all day every day for your job, having that basic skill and being able to hone it is extremely important. Even the best of writers need a bit of a refresher from time to time, and there are several things you can do to improve your writing skills that are easy to do.

1. Spelling – Learning how to spell a variety of words correctly is extremely import for your writing. Spelling is something that is easy to master, but something that many people often struggle with because they can’t spell a number of everyday words. One way that you can learn how to spell correctly is to go over the rules of spelling. These are rules that you’re taught in school when you’re younger to help you remember the spelling of some of the trickier words, and they are often accompanied by some sort of rhyming mnemonic so that you remember the rule. For example, ‘I before E, except after C’ is a famous one that we often use in spelling, and helps you remember how to spell words like ‘ancient’ and ‘receive’. Although there are many of these rules to learn and exceptions to some of these rules, basic spelling is often fairly easy to learn, and you can pick up most words from their sound. So next time you’re struggling to spell something, make sure you sound it out first and remember the rules of spelling

2. Word Meanings - It is all well and good to know how to spell certain words, but do you know what they actually mean? When learning a new word, learning a new meaning is crucial, because chances are you may need to use it in a sentence one day. It is also important to know how to use the root word and the words that come from it in sentence. Some words can have completely different meanings to their root words when you add a prefix or affix to them, so make sure you have an idea of the meaning before use the word. For example, the word ‘form’ means a type of configuration or a shape of something, but the word ‘conform’ means to comply with the rules, so their meanings are a bit different because of the prefix, even though they sound similar and have the same root word. If you don’t know what the words mean, then you won’t be able to write with them, so having basic knowledge is crucial. 

3. Editing – Every good writer knows that to make sure that your writing is the best it can be, you constantly have to edit it. Going over what you’ve written is crucial to your writing because on your first try, you can make all sorts of errors that can be fixed if you pick up on them. Writing on the computer makes this even easier because you have tools to help you pick up on some of these minor errors and edit your work efficiently. Not only do we have spell-check imbedded in to Microsoft Word, that stops us from making spelling mistakes, but you can download software like Grammarly to help you with any grammatical issues you may have in your writing. Also getting someone else to go over your writing is a good idea because it allows you to get a different perspective from someone who isn’t so attached to the piece.

4. Reading – One of the best way to improve your writing is to learn from the writing of others. It is often said that to be a good writer, you must be a good reader, and this is true, because when you read, you learn different words and ways to use them, which is great for boosting your vocabulary and grammar in your own writing. A great tip is to find a style that you like from one of your favourite authors that you’ve read and imitate some of the techniques that they use. This can really make a difference when you re-read your own work later on because you’ll see the improvements you made more clearly than you would have before.

Still think you could use some more help? Upskilled is a company that helps you to study at any level in any field to help you get the qualifications and skills you need to further yourself in your career. You’re given support from people who have industry experience and knowledge, and you can study from the comfort of your own home. They have everything on offer from Short courses to Bachelor’s degrees that are suitable for all skill-sets. So, whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge in your own field, or to learn some new skills in a different field, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for at Upskilled, so that you can go out and find the right job for you.