To write clear text
From thought to a message the recipient can understand
Most people need to write in everyday life — messages emails applications or notes at work. Good writing is not about difficult words but about getting your receiver to understand your message as easily as possible.
§Think of the recipient
Before you write, consider: Who should read it, and what should they do or know afterward? A message to a colleague is different from an application to an employer. When you know the recipient and purpose, it becomes much easier to choose words and tone.
§Plan felling sequence and secure escape routes
It can be tempting to jump right in, but a couple minutes of planning saves time. Write down the key points, and think about the order. The most important usually comes best first.
- 01Write keywords for the points to be included
- 02Put them in a logical order
- 03Decide what the recipient should know or do afterwards
§Build the text in paragraphs
A paragraph typically contains one point. When you switch to a new idea start a new paragraph. It makes the text airy and easier to read. Short sentences are often clearer than long ones — you can split a long sentence.
§Right to afterwards
First draft doesn't need to be perfect. Once the text is written, read it through with fresh eyes: Is the message clear? Are there unnecessary words? Are there spelling or punctuation errors? Editing is part of writing — even for experienced writers.
Writing improves with practice. The more you write, the more natural it becomes to plan, formulate and correct — and the more confident you become when you need to write something important.