Steps to Better English Vocabulary (Article 8)

This post will help you build your vocabulary to improve your writing and help you get more out of your writing. I’ve been working on my own writing recently and I thought I’d share some of my personal tips and tricks to help you get better.

STEP 1: Get Organized

Start with an outline. This is the most important part of writing. When you’re outlining, you’re defining the structure of the story and the characters. This will help you stay focused on the main points of the story and not get distracted by irrelevant details.

You can use a piece of paper or a notebook, whatever works best for you. You’ll want to make sure you write down the main character’s name and a few sentences about their personality, backstory, etc. If you don’t have any sort of idea of the story, you can start with a list of keywords.

STEP 2: Start Writing

Once you have a basic outline in place, you can start writing. It’s important to write in short bursts throughout the day. It keeps your brain sharp and your writing fresh. Don’t go over 10-15 minutes at a time.

STEP 3: Use a Dictionary

Writing is all about language, and learning words is one of the most important skills you can have. When I was younger, I always used the Merriam Webster dictionary, but nowadays there are tons of other options available, so I’d suggest using the one that works best for you.

You can look up new words by typing them into Google or Wikipedia. I’ve found that I learn more about the meaning of words when I use these sites than when I’m using a dictionary.

STEP 4: Make Notes

When you’re writing, make notes of things that you’re confused about or don’t understand. This will help you remember them later. I recommend using an Evernote notebook for this purpose. You can access your notes at any time by typing the notebook name into the search bar on your browser.

STEP 5: Proofread

I know this seems like a silly thing to do, but it’s important to proofread. The reason is because if you can’t read your own work, how are you ever going to get someone else to read it? When you’re editing, you can use the “find and replace” feature in Microsoft Word to change words that you think are wrong. You can also use your own voice in your head to judge the quality of your writing.

STEP 6: Read Out Loud

This one might seem weird, but reading out loud can really help you understand what you’ve written better. It makes the words jump off the page and gives you a different perspective on them. I recommend using this technique when you’re revising or editing your work.

STEP 7: Add More Words

When you’re reading through your work, you’ll notice certain phrases or words that you want to add to your vocabulary. Make sure you write these down somewhere so you don’t forget about them.

Thanks for reading!