Becoming a better writer is not merely a matter of learning more vocabulary words, though a large and flexible vocabulary certainly helps. If you have command of an extensive vocabulary, full of synonyms and antonyms, colorful adjectives and topical nouns, you’ll be able to write descriptions and documents on many subjects. However, the way you put those words together into sentences and phrases is just as important as the words you choose. We’ve talked before about the importance of practicing your spoken presentation skills, and we encourage you to practice your writing skills as well.

As part of your regular vocabulary practice, you should be writing several practice sentences using each new word you learn, so that you’re able to correctly use those words in context. To improve your general writing skills, practice writing entire paragraphs using those words, building on and expanding the simpler sentences. This may seem awkward at first, but just as your conversational abilities will improve with regular practice talking to a variety of people, your writing will improve the more you write.

Although this might sound contradictory, in the beginning quantity is more important than quality. What you’re trying to learn is the way to unlock the free flow of words from your brain to the page, analogous to the way you’re comfortable speaking freely with people. Write down the words and ideas as they come to you – you can always edit later. In fact, the editing process is an important part of becoming a better writer, but if you don’t first have the ability to produce written material that can be edited, you won’t get far.

Once you’re comfortable writing freely on a wide range of topics, you can concentrate on editing to improve your grammar, check your spelling, and fine-tune the vocabulary you use. As you get more practice editing, you’ll begin to absorb the rules of grammar and spelling and these will become incorporated into your writing style automatically. However, even the best writers go back over their work to check it, so the editing process is one that you’ll always use.

Contact your local library or community center and see if there is a writer’s group you can join. These groups often meet in the evening. This will give you the opportunity to read your work out loud to others (thereby giving you presentation practice as well) and you’ll get feedback on your style and clarity from the other group members. Joining a group will also help you if you can’t get ideas to write about, because they frequently focus on a set of topics or on a particular genre, such as poetry or fiction.

The American author E. L. Doctorow said, “Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” We hope that you spend some time exploring your abilities as a writer, using all of the English vocabulary you’ve been learning!