10 Tips for Better Writing

Experiencing writer's block? Here are some helpful tips to improve your "flow."

Start early

Writing is an iterative process that requires time. Although some people admittedly work better under deadline pressure, it is generally a good idea to give yourself enough time to not only write but also to think and edit.

Begin with a clear structure

Starting with a blank page can be intimidating. The best way to begin writing is by first creating the structure, in the form of section headings. This functions like a road map, forcing you to think through your entire story, main argument, and overall flow. Focusing on the big picture first helps you avoid getting lost in details.

Use section outlines

Once you have a clear structure, take each section one by one and flesh it out in a summary format. Make paragraph or section outlines as writers do. Make a note of the main point you are making in each one. You can then add more content around this focused argument.

Write, no matter what

Although you do need time to let information and ideas simmer in your head, your work only takes shape when you actually write it. Don’t wait until you are in the mood to write or for inspiration to hit you. Writing requires more discipline than inspiration. Commit to writing a little bit each day, no matter what. Once you get into the flow of writing, more ideas are bound to come.

Learn from the best

Study the writing style of people in your field, and use them as benchmarks. Look for writers whose work you admire, or for top journals in your specific field and note the writing style, format, and language they use.

Edit

Give yourself time to gain distance from what you wrote, so you can look at it again with fresh eyes. Once you have a first draft, set it aside for a couple of days and then go through it again. It is amazing how many new things you notice when you read your work again.

Get feedback

It is always a good idea to get an outside perspective on your work. Try to get feedback from one or two people you trust. However, make sure you are respectful of their time, and give them enough lead time.

Professional editors

Use professional editors, especially when the piece you are working on is intended for publication. This is an accepted and very helpful practice. Going through the editor’s changes also helps improve your overall writing skills.

Read

Read materials from different disciplines and read a lot. This not only gives you ideas, but also slowly builds your language command and writing eloquence.

Take a writing course

One of the most useful online courses I have taken is ‘Writing in the Sciences’ by Dr. Kristin Sainani from the Stanford Online Lagunita platform. The course is free and self-paced. The videos offer excellent advice and guidance on the (scientific) writing process. This is a highly recommended course. You can learn more about the course or sign up at https://lagunita.stanford.edu/courses/Medicine/SciWrite-SP/SelfPaced/about.