Freelance Writing: Simple Tips on Complicated TopicsHow to Write Clearly in Order to Be Read and Understood

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All people who write something want to be read. Whereas students may be almost certain that teachers will read their papers, freelance writers cannot be certain about their articles, novels, blogs, etc. This is a quick guide on how to write killer articles that will be read, understood and appreciated by modern sophisticated readers.

How to write so that you are read

The art of clearly expressing thoughts in writing is a rare talent. However, the art of writing something to leave readers with their mouths open is even rarer. Here are the main recommendations for writing something that will certainly attract avid readers:

• Choose a captivating title – intrigue or tease your readers. You can even make some promises in your title. However, make certain to keep your promises in the body of your article, or otherwise your readers might never return for a second article.
• Pay special attention to the opening paragraphs, which define the destiny of your work. Most readers will scan these first paragraphs and then decide whether to continue reading or not.
• Improve the logical structure of your text so that your readers don’t fall asleep in the middle of the page. Use headings, subheadings, italics and enough white space to separate different ideas and highlight the most important points.
• Use illustrations to support your points whenever it is possible and necessary.

How to write so that you are understood

Whereas the above discussed formulas can be effective for grabbing readers’ attention, writing so that you are sure to be understood is even more difficult. Everyone wants to learn to write clearly and win the audience, but here are some concrete suggestions to achieve that:

1. Choose a target audience and consider their interests. It is almost impossible to be appreciated by everyone. Somebody does not understand Shakespearean plays. Others consider Hemingway’s stories boring. However, it does not diminish the quality of these classic works. So, get to know your audience and focus on them.
2. Choose simple language and syntax. Try to make your sentences short and simple. For example, if you do not know how to type a word, pause for a moment or two and think if you need to use that word at all. Whenever it is possible to use a simpler equivalent, try to do it. Whenever you can divide your long sentences into shorter ones, do not hesitate to do it.
3. Let you readers follow your train of thought. Do not make your plot lines too complicated. Respect people who are going to read your story. At the same time, avoid writing something that is too obvious. Only imagine hundreds of people reading your work and exclaiming “So what?”
4. Do not focus on the goals of short-term popularity. Certainly, you want to be popular and earn some money. Still, it does not mean you should sacrifice the quality of your work. Try to reflect your individuality in your stories. In most cases, it will increase your chances of success.

So, these mechanisms can help you write high quality texts that will be read, understood and appreciated. However, if you wonder how to write something inimitable, the answer is that you should listen to your heart, intuition and language feeling.