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• How to Get Better at Writing: 16 Proven Ways

How to Get Better at Writing: 16 Proven Ways

We should all admit that, even with AI tools and gadgets, writing is still crucial for our development, affecting our communication, confidence, and thinking. Decades ago, I asked myself, “How can I improve my writing skills?”. Today, as an experienced ELA tutor, I can answer it. So, how to get better at writing, especially with so many distractions nowadays? Read on to see the guide with 16 proven methods to help you and your kid write like a writer.

Key points

• Reading, practice, and constructive feedback activities are critical for steady writing practice.
• Tutoring, worksheets, extensive reading, journaling, and writing for real-life tasks are primary strategies to improve writing skills.
• With tutoring platforms like Brighterly, children can build writing fluency and be confident writers thanks to a personalized approach.
• To teach creative writing, focus on encouraging imagination, using vivid details, and prioritizing storytelling.
• Teaching academic writing is concerned with mastering structure, developing arguments, citing evidence, and keeping the work clear.

Ways to improve writing skills for students

• Read first, then write.
• Practice writing.
• Get feedback.
• Reread your pieces aloud.
• Review and edit.

How to improve writing skills in English?

To improve writing skills in English, you need to focus on two main strategies: doing regular writing exercises to build fluency and reading daily to expand vocabulary and grammar. It’s no different from other languages, even though English has its peculiarities. 

In addition, a learner should constantly review the basics of spelling and sentence structure, and always seek feedback.

How to become better at writing? 16 methods

• Practice with a tutor
• Use worksheets
• Make sure reading comes first
• Practice daily
• Utilize creative prompts and games
• Make writing fun
• Coauthor stories 
• Do a daily journal
• Start a blog
• Leverage apps and platforms 
• Try real-life writing tasks
• Write fan fiction
• Read aloud the piece
• Share your work
• Join writing clubs
• Write letters

# 1 How to practice writing skills with a tutor

Best for: grades 1-12

If you ask me, working one-on-one with a tutor is one of the most effective ways to boost kids’ writing skills. Why? It provides room for individualized guidance and feedback. 

Unlike a busy classroom, an ELA teacher can focus on kids’ needs and target specific areas, from vocabulary and grammar to organization of ideas.

Using Brighterly to improve writing skills 

Brighterly math and reading platform offers personalized tutoring sessions to K-12 students, offering guidance, a structured learning environment, and engaging lessons on writing. 

Its reading tutors are ELA teachers, focusing on writing techniques, grammar rules, and vocabulary. 

What else does the Brighterly reading program offer?

• A learning plan customized to specific needs and following national standards.
• Interactive lessons that engage and boost kids’ confidence.
• Professional feedback and cost-effective pricing.

#2 How to teach a kid to write using worksheets

Best for: grades K-6

Structured worksheets are great for practicing fundamentals, including early writing skills and handwriting. However, different worksheets suit different students and goals. 

• For younger students, worksheets may include tracing letters to develop handwriting and letter recognition. 
• For older kids, the worksheets cover grammar exercises, writing prompts, and vocabulary practice. 

If you wonder how to teach your child to write and ensure they feel less pressure, it’s one of the methods to use. 

How to apply this technique at home? 

• Incorporate worksheets into the weekly routine.
• Combine it with other activities. 
• Ask for guidance or pick the ones that suit your kid’s grade.
• Review the completed worksheet together to improve writing skills. 

If you are seeking a credible source of worksheets, Brighterly offers an array of different ones, including reading worksheets and materials on storytelling.

#3 How to make writing better by reading

Best for: everyone

Without a doubt, reading is one of the best ways to become a better writer. When students immerse themselves in books, stories, and articles, they expose themselves to new vocabulary, proper grammar, and interesting writing styles.

It naturally teaches kids how to structure stories or how to develop and organize ideas. 

What are the reading strategies to improve writing skills?

• Set aside a dedicated reading time for a kid.
• Read together with your child or read aloud to them. 
• Discuss stories and think critically.
• Ask them to write a reflection.

#4 How to be better at writing by practicing daily

Best for: everyone

Another universal tip: to improve writing, a student should practice it daily. Why? Because writing is a skill. And just like with any skill, the “practice makes perfect” approach applies. 

So, writing practice, from a short journal and quick story, can help kids build fluency, develop voice, and gain confidence. 

What are decent writing tips for kids on how to start practicing?

• Write 3-5 sentences about your day in a notebook.
• Try free writing and give kids a treat upon completing a streak.
• Don’t focus on grammar or spelling at first.

#5 How to teach a child to write with creative prompts and games

Best for: grades 1-6

Creative writing prompts and games with words can turn writing into an adventure, a play, rather than a chore. They can be an excellent tool to give kids a jumpstart. 

If you ask yourself, “How to help my child write better?”, then prompts and games may be a part of the answer. There are a few fun tools to spark writing:

• “Imagine your dog or toy, instead of barking or beeping, could talk – what would they say?” prompt.
• Storytelling dice, but with writing.
• Prompt jar challenge.
• Mad Libs game or story cards.

#6 How to help your child write better with coauthoring 

Best for: grades 2-6

Co-writing a story with a parent or sibling is another powerful experience to improve writing. This approach makes writing a social activity, which can be motivating for kids who need company to do tasks. 

How to organize coauthoring activities? You can take turns writing lines or paragraphs and use story prompts with twists.

#7 How to teach a child to write by keeping a journal 

Best for: everyone

A daily or weekly journal is a tried-and-true method to improve the writing of kids and adults. Look at it as a private space to pour thoughts, daydreams, and reflections on events. 

As this activity is not graded, kids feel more comfortable writing there, without fear of making mistakes or being judged. This freedom allows for expressing ideas, boosting confidence, and preparing for high school. 

What can you do to make journaling a habit?

• Present a special journal or notebook.
• Encourage them daily and ask them to share their favorite entries. 
• Respect their privacy and choice.

#8 How to learn to write better with a blog

Best for: grades 4-9 and older

For older or tech-savvy kids, a blog can be a way to bring their journaling or storytelling to an advanced level. It gives a genuine reason to write, a purpose, and an audience. 

Kids know that their work will be read by family, friends, and others, and it sparks them to put their best effort. 

How to start a blog for a kid to improve writing skills? 

• Set up a simple and safe blog for kids and use child-friendly blogging platforms.
• Make it private at first, then ensure the feed is positive and safe.
• Choose a theme with your child and start posting.
• Set a posting schedule and help with editing posts.

#9 How to become better at writing via planning and organizing 

Best for: grades 3-9

Knowing how to plan and outline a writing piece can dramatically enhance writing clarity and structure. 

Young writers and students often ask themselves how to start their essays. And planning is what gives them a roadmap, as it teaches them to organize ideas or decide on essay goals and logic. 

What are relevant writing tips for kids, students, and adults?

• Learn pre-writing strategies, including brainstorming and outlining.
• Consider techniques like “story mountain”.   
• Resort to the basic elements of a story. 
• If you are a parent, show an example, write a piece, and show your outline.

#10 How to improve kids writing with apps and platforms

Best for: grades 3-9

Today, countless learning platforms and writing apps for kids make practice interactive and fun. How? They often have such features as creative story prompts, story builders, or feedback loops. 

To make the most of them, choose an app that suits your kid’s age and writing needs. 

• For younger kids, think of handwriting and phonics game apps like Writing Wizard or iWritewords.
• For 4-6 graders, consider story-writing and vocabulary platforms like NightZookeeper or Mad Libs.
• For creative writing, look at Toontastic 3D or Write About This apps.

You might already be aware of your kids’ needs or struggles. If not, you can resort to      reading tests and find out how your kid is doing.

#11 How to teach child to write with real-life writing tasks

Best for: K-6

Show children how writing is useful and applies to real life. Such tasks prepare them and can motivate them to write more frequently.

So, if your question is “How to help my child with writing skills?”, introduce them to the following real-life writing tasks:

• Have your kid help you with a grocery list, ask them to write down items as you dictate. 
• Encourage writing on occasions, like a birthday card or thank-you note.
• If going on a trip, ask kids to help with the checklist or instructions. 

#12 How to improve writing by crafting fan fiction?

Best for: grades 4-9

Fan fiction contemplates writing stories based on characters or worlds that already exist in books, movies, or games that writers love. So, it’s not just for kids, it’s for young writers too.

To improve writing skills with fan fiction, encourage students to craft a short story set in their world or ask how they see the new adventure of their favorite character. It makes students more confident in writing, plotting, and character development.

#13 How to get better at writing by reading aloud

Best for: kids and adults

I’ve almost forgotten about one simple but powerful strategy for improving writing. Which one? Reading the piece aloud.

When you read the work aloud, you: 

• “Hear” the writing and find mistakes or awkward phrasing that often slip. 
• Understand when to break a sentence, as it leaves a writer breathless or confused. 
• Leave room to recheck spacing and clarity.

#14 How to get good at writing by sharing writing work

Best for: grades 5-9 and older students

You get good at writing when writing becomes more meaningful, when there’s a real audience involved. 

A reason for sharing a work can be different: connecting with others or a need for recognition. Yet, when writers get published, they want to show their best. 

In such a case, a young writer is more likely to: 

• Choose a more suitable vocabulary.
• Re-read multiple times to fix mistakes.
• Resort to emotions and stories to be more empathetic.

If you want to improve writing skills of your kids, look for projects like the Writers Project, kid sections on forums, and school contests. 

#15 How to get better at writing by joining writing clubs

Best for: grades 5-12 

Joining writing clubs can significantly inspire a young writer to improve, offering an environment, guidance, and opportunities. 

Why are writing clubs so effective?

• They provide a community that supports and encourages practicing. 
• They offer space for the students to share and compare works. 
• They have mentors who offer professional guidance, advice, and feedback. 

Some parents might search online using queries like “How to get better at writing Reddit”, but within a club, your kid would already be practicing the best tips. In a writing community, students will flourish and become more at ease with writing. 

#16 How to teach child to write better with letters

Best for: grades 1-12 

Lastly, encourage kids to write a letter monthly. To whom? Friends, grandparents, authors, or kids from other countries. Take Postcrossing, for example.

This practice gives kids purpose and teaches how to structure thoughts, follow writing rules, and ask questions. Besides, a reply from a writing pal can be an exciting event and help improve written communication skills.

What are the best writing activities for kids?

Journaling	As kids reflect daily on thoughts, they boost fluency and self-expression.
Story prompts	Specific prompts can ignite creativity and help build original tales.
Letter writing	Crafting letters to people, real or fictional, teaches kids structure and communication.
Comic strips	They allow combining visual storytelling with narrative skills and make writing interactive.
Word games	Mad Libs make writing fun and interactive.
Writing with a twist	Such creative formats turn writing into imaginative and fun play.

From all the strategies, the ones above are the best activities that children and young students can benefit from. 

How to get better at creative writing?

• Encourage your kid to read stories and fairy tales. 
• Let them practice by writing fiction, poems, and comic adventures. 
• Introduce them to the principle ‘show, don’t tell’: instead of saying “the robot was angry”, your kid can write “The machine’s eyes flashed red and sparks were flying from its head.”
• Help them create fun characters and absurd dialogues.
• Don’t worry too much about grammar; it can be polished later.

How to write an essay step by step?

• Brainstorm and plan. First, understand the essay topic and answer it, next organize ideas and turn them into arguments.
• Write the introduction. There, a student illustrates the topic or problem, shows relevance, and provides the answer with reasoning. 
• Write the body of the text. Next, a student writes the core of the essay, where each paragraph represents an idea that backs the main point. 
• Write a conclusion. In the last paragraph, a student should summarize key points and rephrase the main idea or answer.
• Proofread and revise. Lastly, one of the writing tips for kids is to read aloud the written text. By reading aloud, they catch and correct mistakes.

How to get better at academic writing? 

To get better at academic writing, a student should understand the role of structure, formal tone, grammar, evidence, and style. They are the pillars of academic writing. As a parent, make sure their structure is clear, with an intro, body, and conclusion. Another thing is supporting evidence. It’s important to provide facts and examples and even cite them. Lastly, ensure your child avoids slang and has no grammar mistakes or repetitions. 

Conclusion on how to improve writing skills for kids

Improving writing is a gradual process; it takes time, the right tools, and everyday practice. Through various exercises, from storytelling and blogging to journaling and worksheets, kids can become confident and creative writers. Whether they love writing or struggle with it, there is surely a decent strategy for them. 

Yet, if a voice inside still asks you, “How to improve my child’s writing skills?”… Well, maybe it’s a sign to call an expert. Brighterly platform offers guidance and personalization. Why not give it a try and book free reading lesson?