5 surprising writing techniques you didn't know about

You might have thought you’ve heard everything there is to know about writing techniques, but you probably haven’t. There are many things you can do in your writing that can catch your reader’s attention, make them understand your message better, and improve the overall quality of your work. Here are five techniques that are often overlooked but should be put into practice whenever possible.

1) Change up sentence structure

The normal, basic, run-of-the-mill sentence structure has a subject (who or what we're talking about), a verb (what that person or thing is doing), and an object (what that person or thing is doing it to). I ate my dinner. My spouse called while I was cooking. Steve kissed me before work. Blah blah blah. This kind of sentence structure isn't wrong, but sometimes it feels just a little too plain and boring.

To spice things up, try changing your sentences around so that there's more than one verb in them. For example, I cooked dinner for my spouse as she talked on her cell phone. Or: Steve came over for breakfast and kissed me goodbye before heading off to work. When you use multiple verbs in a sentence, your writing can become more interesting—and more fun! 

But be careful not to go overboard; when you add multiple verbs, make sure they all still have a reason to be there. In other words, don't write something like Steve was leaving his job and he kissing me goodbye. There are only two verbs here (was and kissing), which makes your sentence look confusing. Keep those second and third verbs clear! So if you've got a long, complicated piece of writing coming up, think about using multiple verbs instead of using just one verb again and again. It'll make your writing stronger.

2) Use figurative language

Many famous authors use figures of speech—like similes and metaphors—to spice up their stories. Imaginative language makes your words stick in your readers’ minds, but it can also make them more difficult to grasp.

 

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To avoid confusing your audience, be sure to include an explanation for any figurative language you use. This will help clarify what you mean without interrupting your flow or distracting you from your message. For example, I was drowning in a sea of red ink; my company was bleeding money and I had no idea how to stop it.

Figurative language is a fun way to add color to your writing, but keep in mind that some writers are against using too much of it. Consider experimenting with different levels of figurative language until you find one that feels right for you. It's hard to say exactly when to include explanations of your figurative language because there's no rulebook on how much or little should be used. That said, many editors recommend including at least one explanation per piece of figurative language you use.

3) Use metaphors, similes, and personification

These three literary devices help to liven up your writing and make it more appealing. Metaphors mean comparing two different kinds of things. Similes are similar to metaphors, but use words like or as. Personification involves giving inanimate objects human qualities as if they were a person speaking or acting. For example, The night is dark. This is not a metaphor, simile, or personification; however, it is still an excellent sentence that engages your readers and tells them what they need to know! To give your work an edge, try using one of these techniques in every paragraph. This can really spice up your business documents and impress a reader. You'll have no problems getting points across!

4) Use sensory descriptions

Readers can often see a scene more clearly through sensory descriptions, particularly when it comes to sights, sounds, and smells. If your writing is all narrative (he said, she smiled), consider bringing in one or two sensory details to make things more interesting.

In addition to calling attention to important parts of your story, they'll also help paint a clear picture in readers' minds—and make your words more effective. Examples: Instead of saying he was happy, tell us how his smile lit up his face. Instead of saying Julia looked beautiful that night, write that her lips were painted crimson and her hair was curled like Marilyn Monroe's in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

5) Write with strong verbs

Strong verbs help your writing flow and make it easier to understand. In some cases, a verb can convey an idea without mentioning any objects at all! Instead of saying the man walked, try saying he strode. The second sentence is much stronger because it implies action in one simple word. It can be hard to find strong verbs when you're first starting out as a writer, but luckily there are websites that have lists for us.