Guidelines for Better Composition

Creative writing is a proper art form. Writing requires both skill and original thought. There is more to writing than merely using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in every sentence. Writing is a craft that may be easily acquired or significantly refined. However, there is a certain degree to which one’s written creativity can be honed. It has more to do with innate skills that don’t provide much room for improvement. The intuitive side is the creative, and the conscious side is the craft. They give vitality to one another.

Writing entails several stages, including brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising. Articles and essays benefit from having a clear purpose before they are written. The goal could be to educate, convince, clarify, or even amuse the audience. Your writing’s shape and location will be determined by its purpose.

The reader is challenging to pin down. All writing is intended for an audience. It’s not only about showing off, either. Any writer, though, writes in part because it brings them joy. Readers will be entertained if you write solely for your enjoyment. If your writing is poorly executed, you risk losing readers. The most excellent method to attract those elusive readers is to work hard to master the instruments of writing. Minimize fluff and maximize coherence in your work. Use simple, direct words to convey your meaning. When writing, just be yourself. Don’t worry about whether or not your reader will like the fruits of your enthusiasm. Create a piece with heart and humanity.

Every written work is an expression of ideas, presented in a logical or sequential order, and designed to convey some message to the reader. The first step in writing anything is coming up with an excellent topic. Pick a topic that will pique the interest of the people you plan to share it with. The next step is to generate as many ideas as you can from a variety of angles. You need to calm your thoughts to see all the nuances of the concept. Give this issue your full, undivided attention. Just let your thoughts wander and see where they take you. Consider the problem from several perspectives.

It’s only natural for confusion to set in when considering so many factors, rendering clear thought impossible. This isn’t due to a lack of skill on your part; instead, it’s the result of your tendency to consider multiple angles at once. Don’t worry about how or when those ideas will enter your mind. The proper approach to this issue is to arrange these ideas sequentially. Create a list or mental map of your thoughts that are either sequential or well-connected, and then put the points in the map according to their relevance to one another and the essay’s objective.

Writer’s block is something everyone who puts pen to paper experiences at some point. The hardest part of writing is getting through this block. Increasing your motivation or enthusiasm for writing is the most effective technique to break through this barrier. A strong writing motivation can help you get beyond writer’s block and get words on the page. When you finally get through the block and begin writing, don’t worry about whether or not your sentences make sense or are in the correct order. Let your thoughts out in sentences, even if they aren’t grammatically sound or logically coherent. Modify it as needed.

Read your work from beginning to end once you have completed a rough draft that includes a summary of all the concepts you intend to include in the piece. It’s preferable to read aloud. Then, instead of focusing on the syntax and sentence structure, do macro editing to fill in the blanks.

The initial draft is typically the worst; you’ll need to revise it numerous times before you’re satisfied with the final product. Improve your writing by doing a lot of rewriting. The draft should be rewritten as many times as necessary. When revising, keep these editing rules in mind. Using transitional words (because, hence, as, therefore, etc.) to link ideas together logically and progressively improves writing. The transitional words serve as a means of sequential logic. In any piece of paper, connectors help to enhance or emphasize an idea (besides, in addition, etc.), contrast two ideas (however, although, etc.), or demonstrate cause and effect (because, thus, etc.). However, a paragraph’s style can suffer if too many connectors are used.

Each paragraph should flow naturally into the next, with related sentences contributing to the whole. The transitions between concepts should make sense and seem natural. Lack of coherence makes it difficult for the reader to grasp the presented ideas. Paragraphs and sentences should flow logically from one to the next without jarring transitions or breaks in thought. Use rhetorical devices to pique the interest of your readers alongside logical coherence. Punctuation and grammar should be correct as well.

After you have revised the section several times, have another person read it and give you feedback. Revise it several more times based on the input. If you can’t find a friend or acquaintance to read your work, give it a critical read-through yourself. Then use your feedback to inform a rewrite.

When you’re happy with the structure and flow of your first draft, it’s time to move on to the micro-level editing of grammar, punctuation, and style. Then, close your nearly finished manuscript and don’t look at it for a few days so you can read it with fresh eyes. The piece must then be edited again, this time paying close attention to detail before it is submitted for publication. The final draft would be much improved and distinct from previous versions. The rhythm and flow of ideas/sentences, organizing material into paragraphs, and structuring sections into a coherent composition are all crucial to good writing.

In a nutshell, there is no substitute for actual writing exercises if you want to improve. Enhanced writing skills are within the reach of anyone interested in improving their craft. Some writers have more innate skills than others. Paying even a tiny bit of attention to one’s craft is beneficial for most authors. Any writer can improve their craft by working hard. Well-crafted writing is good, but adding a creative twist can take it to the next level. To write well requires equal parts talent and diligence. If you lack the first, the second can make up the difference. You may improve your writing skills with hard work and dedication.

The K. Rajasekharan Kerala Institute of Local Administration is located in Thrissur, Kerala, India.

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