Let’s face it: essay writing, or writing in general, is not everyone’s forte. For some, writing comes naturally; for others, it can be a constant source of struggle. If you’re someone who finds writing to be a challenge, I have three easy tips for you that can help you improve.

Pick up a copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style

Someone, or many people, might have told you to do this already. It probably sounds like a cliché. However, it is good advice. This invaluable little book only costs a few pounds, but it holds numerous tips on grammar, basic English composition, and writing style that are timeless. I still use it all the time. If you don’t already have a copy, I highly recommend you purchase one.

Always ask someone to review your writing

It is imperative to have another set of eyes review and critique your writing. I cannot stress this enough. Your writing will likely read or sound differently to another person, so it is important to have another person evaluate it to ensure it makes sense, flows nicely, and reads well. Another reader will also usually catch mistakes you made that you might not see yourself because you know what you were trying to say when you wrote something. This can happen more often than you think!

Read, read, read!

Good writing comes from lots of reading. Think about who your favourite author or authors are. Now think about what you like about them. A large part of why you like them so much probably has to do with their writing. I would encourage you to go back and read some of their work. Try to home in on their writing style. I bet it will inspire you to try things differently or give you new ideas on how to approach writing. For me, this is always the most helpful thing to do, and long-form magazine writing is where I usually get my inspiration.