100 ways to improve your writing - Gary Provost 2019

Take a class
Nine ways to improve your writing when you’re not writing

If you don’t believe that good writing can be taught, you shouldn’t be reading this book. If you do believe good writing can be taught, you could benefit from a class.

You don’t have to sign up for a three-credit course at the local university. You can find a creative writing or English composition course in most adult education and extension programs or online.

There are specific courses designed for particular types of writers. For example, there are business writing courses that thoroughly cover the formal English required in business correspondence. A course in nonfiction writing will provide you with some research techniques that you wouldn’t get elsewhere. And a course in writing for television would be invaluable if that’s your interest, as there are many rules of form a scriptwriter must follow.

Generally, a writing course is as good or as bad as the teacher. Good teachers and bad teachers are found at all levels, so ask around.

Whether it’s a course at the local high school or a course at Harvard, in my opinion you should steer clear of any teacher who speaks with a British accent but has never been to England and any teacher who insists you must read Moby Dick before writing your first paper. Point yourself toward the eager, unpretentious teacher who is actually publishing stories, articles, and books.

“But why,” you ask, “should I take a writing class at all after reading a wonderful book like this?”

Good question. Three answers.

1. With a teacher and other students reading your work, you will be better able to learn what your particular faults and virtues are.

2. Knowing that the class or teacher is going to read your work, you will work harder at making your writing good.

3. Your own writing mistakes are often invisible to you, but they will become obvious when you see them in the work of fellow students.