Three Things Needed to Improve My Writing Skill

By Lee Sul Choo 

             Have you ever built a house? If you have, you would know how important all the components and steps are for making a solid house. If only one step is missed such as planning or making structure, you must pull down the house and have to start at first place. Writing is similar to building. An academic writing or any trivial kind of writing has some steps you have to follow, and if you miss some steps in writing, you have to write once more from the beginning.            

           I’ll focus on my 3 big problems in English writing, which are lack of ideas, putting useless phrases and limited vocabulary. Moreover, I’ll think out solutions in order to improve my writing skill. This work is really necessary, because I am taking a couple of English composition classes, and the professors do require some writing assignments to give marks. Moreover my miner is English literature; it leads to pretty numerous writings.

             An interesting and attractive idea which can totally hook readers is as important as good quality material for building a house. I always try to make a fresh topic and good ideas whenever I start writing. I do know it’s really difficult. Most of my ideas aren’t so interesting, that teachers say that my writing is dull. In accordance with a writing textbook, brainstorming is one of the ways to make good ideas. Brainstorming is quickly writing down all the thought that come into my head. I used to think that brainstorming is unnecessary, unimportant and waste of time, but after once I did it, I’ve realized it’s effective and helpful to make good ideas. Besides, abundant information helps me to think out good ideas. Knowing many events means that there are many things to write about, so I’ll read magazines or newspapers to get abundant information and try to brainstorm before I write.  

                        Too much is as bad as too little. I usually spoil my writing by putting too many useless phrases or sentences. Those sentences easily confuse readers, so my main idea doesn’t penetrate. I think it’s the biggest problem I have in writing. The main reason of writing is to let readers know what writers want to say and convey. If it doesn’t work, we can never say that it’s a good writing. Not to commit those errors, I’ll proofread several times before I complete. Besides, peer editing will help me to correct many problems and to delete awkward sentences.  

            If we don’t have enough material such as woods or bricks, of course a perfectly solid house can’t be expected. As like this matter, well written writing requires abundant vocabulary. To be honest, vocabulary is one of my weak points, so it’s difficult to express my idea clearly. Moreover if it comes to narrative essay, enough vocabulary to describe things and situation is necessary. There are many ways to build up my word power, but the most effective way is memorizing words as much as I can. I’m planning to read some English novels I like and to memorize words from the books. Memorizing words from my favorite books, not from formal vocabulary book, will enhance efficiency. 

             Writing in English requires many skills, just like building a house. It will take a lot of time to be skillful for me, because I have to keep trying not to make problems and solve them. My three problems, which are deficiency of fresh ideas, putting needless sentences and week vocabulary can be solved by brainstorming, reading magazines or newspaper, proofreading, peer editing and memorizing words from my favorite books.  There is an old Korean proverb that is when you know yourself well, and then you can beat anyone. When I do recognize my problems and spare no effort to solve problems, I sure will not make any errors someday.