Writing Skills

Writing is one of the key pillars of language learning and one of the active language skills, along with speaking. Improving your English writing skills is essential for communication in academic, professional and social contexts.

Writing skills are needed to make yourself understood in English written communication, from formal usage when writing business letters to social contexts such as writing notes to friends. As a non-native learner, strengthening your writing skills might seem challenging, but with consistent practice and the right strategies, you can become a more confident and effective writer.

In this page, we’ll explore a range of innovative techniques and practical tips that can help you improve your writing, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner.

Exploring Writing in English

Writing, or orthography, is often seen as the most difficult aspect of learning a language. The way words are written can appear very different from the way they are pronounced.

A solid grasp of English grammar is essential for effective writing. Take the time to review and understand the basic rules of grammar, including sentence structure, verb tense and punctuation. Use grammar guides and language learning apps to reinforce your understanding of grammar concepts and improve your writing proficiency.

The English alphabet itself may be completely different from the alphabet some learners are used to, which creates a new learning task in itself: learning the English alphabet.

Types of writing in English

English writing has its own etiquette depending on what you are writing. When writing a letter in English, for example, there are certain beginnings and endings which are commonly used in different circumstances.

Check out our letter writing guide for more details about this skill. You could also check out our Christmas card writing article for advice on writing a greetings card in English.

University students need to employ their writing skills for writing academic essays, using the English language in a specific way for academic purposes. Read more about using Academic English.

Ideas for improving your English writing skills

1. Read, Read, Read
One of the most effective ways to improve your writing is by regularly reading in English. When you read, you’re exposed to new vocabulary, sentence structures, writing styles and different types of content. This helps you internalise grammar rules and phrasing, giving you a better understanding of how to structure your own writing.

Choose materials that match your level but also challenge you. For example, novels, news articles, essays, blogs or academic essays and textbooks. Remember not to just read passively. Take notes on interesting phrases or sentence structures, and try to incorporate them into your own writing.

2. Write Every Day
The key to improving your writing skills is consistent practice. Try to write in English every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The more you write, the more confident you will become.

You could write lists of things you need to do or groceries you need to buy. In doing this, you will find new vocabulary and by writing these things down you will learn new spellings. Write e-mails and notes in English whenever you can. Like any skill, writing proficiency improves with practice. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing practice, whether it’s writing essays or drafting emails in English. Experiment with different writing formats and genres to develop versatility and confidence in your writing abilities.

Keep a daily journal where you write about your day, including what you did, where you went, things you enjoyed or learned, how you felt, who you talked to and why. By writing about your day in a journal, you will be practising the past tense in English, as well as your writing skills.

You could also write about your opinions, your goals or your general thoughts about a topic. This informal practice can help you become more comfortable with expressing yourself in English. Try using writing prompts to challenge yourself and explore different topics. For example, some prompts could be: “Write about a time you overcame a challenge” or “Describe your ideal vacation.”

3. Write Creatively

It’s important for non-native English students to think creatively about their writing too, rather than only concentrating on finding the correct grammar structures. The focus should be on creativity, not only the mechanics of writing. This is because writing creatively is what makes language come alive and take on new meanings.

When learning to write, students are often expected to be able to compose text with the ability to transform information and create a creative piece of writing from scratch. However, many EFL students learning to write English in school do not have much exposure to creative writing and are only capable of ‘re-telling’ an existing composition.

Creative writing skills require more work and are something to develop as your vocabulary and grammar skills improve.

4. Think About Structure and Organisation
Good writing is clear and well-organised. Work on structuring your writing in a logical, coherent manner. Focus on paragraph organisation and how your ideas flow from one to the next.

Learn the basic structure of an essay, which includes an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. This will help you write academic essays and more formal texts.

Before you start writing, create a simple outline. This will help you organise your thoughts and ensure your writing stays focused.

Strive for clarity and conciseness in your writing by expressing ideas in a clear and straightforward manner. Avoid excessive use of complex language or jargon that may confuse readers. Instead, aim to convey your message simply and effectively. Use transition words (e.g. “However”, “In addition”, “Similarly”, “Although”, “Notably”, “Finally”) and cohesive devices to connect ideas and improve the flow of your writing.

5. Use Writing Tools and Apps
There are many digital tools and apps that can help you improve your writing skills. They can assist with grammar, spelling and style. Useful tools include Grammarly, which can help catch grammar and spelling mistakes and suggests improvements for sentence structure and vocabulary.

Another useful tool is Hemingway Editor. This app helps make your writing clearer and more concise by highlighting overly complex sentences or passive voice. Also try using a thesaurus to find synonyms for common words and expand your vocabulary.

6. Learn and Apply Grammar Rules
Understanding English grammar is essential for writing clearly and correctly. Focus on mastering fundamental grammar rules, including verb tenses, articles, prepositions and sentence structures.

Instead of just memorising rules, try to learn them through context using examples. Look at how grammar is used in sentences you read and apply it to your own writing. Also try to practise sentence construction by writing simple sentences first, then gradually building to more complex structures.

7. Expand Your Vocabulary
A broad vocabulary allows you to express your ideas more precisely and creatively. To improve your vocabulary, here are some things to try:

• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for new words you come across while reading or listening. Review them regularly to reinforce your memory.
• Learn Synonyms: Use a thesaurus to learn synonyms for common words and add variety and nuance to your writing. For example, instead of using “happy” all the time, try using “joyful” or “delighted”; instead of “sad”, try using “disheartened” or “glum”.
• Contextual Learning: Don’t just memorise words. Practise using them in sentences to understand how they fit into different contexts.

8. Get Feedback and Revise Your Writing
One of the best ways to improve your writing is by getting feedback from others. Ask teachers, tutors or language exchange partners to review your writing and give constructive feedback.

Constructive feedback helps identify areas for improvement and provides valuable insights for refining your writing skills. Embrace the revision process by revisiting and revising your writing based on feedback and self-reflection.

You could join online writing groups or forums where you can share your work and get feedback from fellow learners or native speakers. Pay attention to the areas that need improvement and work on them in your next writing task.

9. Focus on Your Writing Style
As you become more comfortable with writing, try to develop your personal writing style. This involves experimenting with sentence structure, tone and word choice to express your personality and ideas.

Depending on the context (formal or informal), work on adjusting your tone to suit the purpose of your writing. It’s also a good idea to practice writing in different styles; try writing short stories, poems, scripts, essays, reviews and reports to explore different forms and styles. Experiment with writing for different audiences.

10. Imitate Good Writers
Find writers whose style you admire and try to imitate their writing. Pay attention to their sentence structure, word choice and overall flow. This practice can help you learn from their techniques and improve your own writing.

Read well-written works and pick out elements you want to include in your own writing, whether it’s the complexity of their ideas, the humour of their dialogue or their use of descriptive language.

11. Don’t Forget Proofreading
Develop strong proofreading and copy editing skills to polish your writing and eliminate errors. Review your writing carefully for spelling, grammar, punctuation, typographical and structural mistakes. Take breaks between writing and proofreading sessions to approach your work with fresh eyes and ensure thoroughness.

After a writing session, it can be helpful to leave your work for a day and then go back to it to proofread, as you will often find mistakes you had overlooked before.

12. Stay Motivated and Be Patient
Improving your writing skills takes time and effort. Celebrate small successes and don’t get discouraged by mistakes. The more you practise, the better you will become!

It’s important to set achievable goals, like writing a certain number of words per day or completing specific writing exercises. This will keep you focused and motivated. Remember, writing is a skill that develops over time. Stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

As you get more advanced, explore more complex writing styles. Writing is not just about following rules; it’s about expressing your ideas clearly and creatively.

Improving your English writing skills requires practice, patience and dedication. By reading often, writing daily, learning grammar, expanding your vocabulary and seeking feedback, you can steadily improve your English writing skills.

Check out our English language orthography guide for more tips on improving your writing skills.

Share your thoughts

• What type of writing do you enjoy most (e.g. creative, academic, casual) and why?
• Do you find speaking a language easier than writing a language?
• Which strategies have worked best for you in improving your writing?
• How often do you write in English and what changes can you make to write more regularly?
• Do you write a journal or diary in English?
• Have you tried using any writing tools and if so, how have they helped you in your writing?
• How can you develop your own unique writing style, and what steps can you take to express yourself more creatively in English?