If I started to write elaborately, or like someone introducing or presenting something, I found that I could cut that scrollwork or ornament out and throw it away and start with the first true simple declarative sentence I had written — Earnest Hemingway
When it comes to writing simply, it is not just about writing short sentences. Rather it is about creating a series of interlinked sentences that beautifully convey the message that you are trying to get across. For those who wish to get into the creative field of writing, be it nonfiction or fiction, writing simply is a much-needed skill. If you are a student of BA (Hons) journalism, here are some tips that you will find helpful in writing simply:
Tip 1: Organise your thoughts
When it comes to writing sometimes too many ideas dominate your thoughts. It is important to organize your thoughts before you sit down to write. This process of classifying information varies from one writer to another. For instance, Nobel-winning author Alice Munro says that she works out her stories in her head before she starts writing. To record your ideas, thoughts, and sentences, you could make notes on a notebook or keep a voice recorder. This will help create a base that will help you to sit down and write.
Tip 2: Keep the purpose in mind
What are you writing and who are you writing for? Answering these two important questions will help you set the right tone for your writing. To help your readers ingest your story smoothly, you must understand what is the purpose of your writing and your audience. Carefully choose your words keeping your target audience in mind. For instance, if you are blogging, choose specific keywords that are pertinent to your writing. On the other hand, if you are writing hard news, your writing approach should be straight-forward and with a lot of emphasis on accuracy.
Tip 3: Make sure you write regularly
If you want to become a better writer, write daily. Just like any other craft, writing is also a skill that you develop with practice. Writing daily encourages you to think faster and better. Setting a writing routine at first can be difficult. But with practice, it can be achieved.
Tip 4: Use active voice
Words have immense power to lead the audience to feel emotions. This is one of the reasons why active voice is preferred over passive voice. Sentences in active voice focus on the subject. On the other hand, sentences written in passive voice are indirect. You may lose your reader mid-sentence if he or she is not understanding what is being said. In today’s age of ever-dwindling attention span, it is important to get the attention of the readers in the first few words.
Tip 5: Avoid using unnecessary words
Mark Twain said, “Don’t let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in.” This is true for all kinds of writing. Overly wordy sentences can make writing sound dull instead of interesting. Adjectives and adverbs that do not add to your message are rather sabotaging the main point.
Pursuing BA (Hons) journalism is a great way to establish a foundation that allows students to get into creative fields such as journalism, copywriting, content writing, and even fiction writing. After completing the three-year programme, students can also opt for an advanced diploma that will allow them to hone their writing and editing skills for both print and digital media. For inquiries related to admission, call on +91 7227033631 / +91 9099993506.
