Improving Academic Writing Skills for ESL Students

Writing is one of the most critical skills students need in order to clearly express themselves and go through college successfully. Good writing skills not only reflect your ability to think critically but also engage readers, an indicator of expertise and professional acumen. A student who is more profound and eloquent with the written word crafts impressive and informative content. Such students are more likely to post higher grades in assignments, essays, and examinations. In this article, we will talk about the most important tips that both students and instructors can use to improve ESL writing skills.

1. Keep it simple and to the point

Writing in a simple, illustrative manner ensures everybody can understand your intent. It is therefore important to use vivid vocabulary which makes you sound composed and eloquent. Although high-quality words reflect your understanding of a language and situation at hand, avoid using advanced words that send readers to the dictionary every time. Students should do enough research to understand different words applicable to their context and use them in future write-ups.

2. Identify the main idea/opinion

Most ESL students experience difficulty finding the key idea, especially in complex academic papers. As a general rule of thumb, ideas in a text are put together to form a single coherent main idea. Identify the main idea and state it as the thesis statement or topic sentence. Additionally, include target keyword phrases within the opening paragraph.

3. Use the right voice

The voice and tone of writing depend on what your paper entails. Some writing will require a professional approach while others will require a conversational tone. For instance, if you are writing a business piece for your marketing class, be sure to illustrate your points using a sales pitch. The bottom line here is using a language that is relevant within your context of writing.

4. Learn grammar

Grammar is a basic determinant of the quality of any post. It is obvious that no one wants to read content full of typos and grammatical errors. Among the most important grammar tips to remember is using active verbs to eliminate the passive voice. Again, use specific verbs and nouns to convey a clear message to your readers. Finally, avoid switching tenses in between sentences in your paper. Writing in a simple language gives a clear picture of what you mean without confusing the readers.

5. Be wary of the content structure/format

Your content structure determines its readability. It is always a good idea to make a simple draft before writing an academic paper. When writing, vary the length of sentences; use longer sentences when explaining, defining or illustrating ideas and shorter ones when emphasizing ideas. Put ideas and keywords at the beginning or the end of a sentence to make your content better. Additionally, make sure you are conversant with the different academic writing and referencing styles.

6. Avoid redundancy

Good writers come out clear and concise in their work. If you wonder how to improve English writing, avoid redundant words and sentences; they diminish the attractiveness and relevance of your content. If you have highlighted a particular topic in your paper, do not repeat the same point later but in a different manner. Make your work more informative by putting across several new ideas.

7. Use writing tools to improve your content

Writing tools such as Google documents, Grammarly and SpellChecker are helpful in improving the quality of your work. Most of these tools can flag errors and provide the most appropriate action you should take. Running your content on these programs, most of which are free, will help you focus on your weaknesses. However, always remember to proofread your work even after using these writing assistant tools. Another helpful tip for students looking for a custom written paper is to ensure it is not plagiarized by using tools such as Turnitin or Copyscape.

8. Keep reading

Reading more improves your writing skills. Therefore, if you want to write better content, then you should read different works of modern and classic literature and browse through websites with high-quality research papers to consume rich content. Apart from reading, engage in enlightening conversations and listen to speeches with a great command of communication skills. This way, you will see remarkable improvements in your English writing style.

9. Be regular, practice equals better performance

Just like everything else you do, practice makes perfect. Most ESL students lack the motivation to write consistently while learning how to improve English writing, but perfection can never be achieved without regular practice. Pen down your thoughts and write short papers and articles even if you do not need them. Such practice will improve your skills in a matter of three to four months. It also helps you focus on those aspects of writing you are not conversant with.

10. Get constructive feedback

Getting helpful feedback and constructive criticism is one of the most powerful motivational factors that eventually lead to success. However, students should remember some of their peers are pessimistic and will never appreciate your writing. Others remain overly critical. Receiving feedback through channels such as peer correction can be very helpful in making ESL students better writers.

Finally, remember perfect writing takes time. Do not be discouraged, no one started perfect. Work at your pace, maintain a positive mindset and be consistent to improve your English writing skills.