How to Improve Your English Writing 

Do you wonder how you can improve your English writing? 

You’ve studied English for years. You can understand what you read and most of what you hear.

You can get around in English and carry on a conversation.

But it’s hard to express what you want to say in writing.

Maybe you know you’re making errors that make you look less professional than you are.

I’m starting a new newsletter specifically to help students of English who want to improve their English writing skills.

(You can click here to go directly to the sign-up, or here if you want to tell me a little about what writing help you need-- whether or not you sign up for the newsletter.)

There has never been a time with more opportunity for worldwide communication. Often that communication will be in English. Don't miss having a part in those conversations!

Hints to Improve Your English Writing

Reading in English as much as you can is so important if you hope to write well in English! (For suggestions about what to read, see Find English Reading, Online Reading, and the articles in pages linked from Reading Articles to Improve Your English. You could also subscribe to the English Detective newsletter, which suggests interesting online reading and/or listening materials twice a month.)

But often reading isn't enough. There are some tricks or guidelines that can help you improve your English writing. (Basic English grammar and spelling rules are just a start!)

Get a short series of emails with free writing tips and exercises in your inbox. (Sometimes there will be a brief follow-up practice the following week.) 

The first issue, Oct. 1, 2019 was included with an English Detective issue. You can see a sample tip, writing prompt, and link to more practice there-- see Back Issues. 

The next issues of English Writing Hints will review basic principles for writing in English.

Most will give at least one writing tip, with a link to more information in case you’re not familiar with it. Some also suggest a short writing assignment to practice an important English writing skill.

Writing and grammar tips will be short and practical. So will suggestions for practice.  I also may send proofreading practice assignments. (These will be various kinds of writing with common errors for you to correct. (Look for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. Then check with a corrected version.)  

Who Are These Hints For?

I hope they will help anyone with a basic grasp of English who wants to write more effectively in English. I'm thinking especially of

• students preparing for the TOEFL or IELTS exams, 
• university graduates looking for jobs that need English skills
• and business people or professionals with English-speaking customers or colleagues 

(I would love to help my fellow webmasters as well!)

If you are just starting to learn English, these tips will be too advanced to help you right now.

Instead, start with some of the excellent free classes or video lessons online. (I've suggested some on Learn English Free-- for Beginners.)

Be sure to read all you can in English. Even simple English stories will help so much when you are ready to write! See Easy Reading for ESL Beginners for some ideas.

Free Revision & Proofreading Checklist 

Revising your writing is essential to writing improvement. You need to read over what you've written (out loud) and ask yourself:

• Have I forgotten anything I planned to say?
• Could I improve what I wrote by changing its order?
•  Could I strengthen the transitions between sections?
• Did I include examples and evidence for everything I claimed?
• Are my explanations clear?
• Are there better words for something I wrote?
• Did I use unnecessary words or filler that I could remove?

Then you need to check for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

This can be a lot to remember, every time you write!

So I wanted to offer a revision and proofreading checklist to help! You can download it when you sign up for English Writing Hints.

It' so handy to have it on your computer so you can ensure your writing is complete and correct, every time.

The checklist lets you review and revise your writing for clarity and completeness. Then proofread for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar errors.

There's a final (optional) page that explains compound and complex sentences. It can help  you recognize and remove sentence fragments, run-ons, and some common errors with commas. 

Update April 2020

There was not enough interest in English Writing Hints to continue after the first four issues, so I am removing the sign-up form. I'm sorry!

If you are interested, you can contact me directly (see the link on the blue background at the bottom of the main page). I can send you a summary of the main points in the emails, as well as the Revision & Proofreading Checklist.

There is a lot of English writing information on other pages in englishHints. See especially Learn to Write English (and links to pages on writing essays, transitions, proofreading, and other aspects of writing on it.)

Remember, better English writing skills can open “a world of opportunity” to you! Whether you choose to subscribe to English Writing Hints or not, keep practicing! That's the best way to improve your English writing!

Home > Learn to write English > Improve Your English Writing.

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