8 Tips for Improving the Content of Your Writing
The content of writing is separate from style and structure because content is what you write not how you write. The following tips apply just as well to academic essays as to blog posts, so feel free to cherry pick the suggestions that apply best to your writing.
Pick an an interesting, significant topic. Too many times posts are done on something insignificant or unoriginal. It doesn’t really matter if you write a gorgeous tutorial or a powerful, inspiring and riveting essay if it just explains something most people already know about. Similarly, it doesn’t help to write about issues that very few people have an interest in unless you are writing it solely for your pleasure.
The biggest problem though is when people write about general topics that they have no real knowledge of and don’t say anything new about. Most people don’t care what your position is on abortion, religion or politics if all you are going to do is repeat mainstream thoughts and party lines, so if you must rehash well-covered ground, make sure you do it better or more in-depth than what others have already done.
Pick a topic that isn’t too general. Unless you are writing a top 10 list, you need to make sure you don’t pick a topic that is so broad that you end up just making comments about a dozen different topics rather than a detailed discussion of one or two. The internet is full of broad and general information, so by focusing on specific topics you will be able to carve out your own niche.
This is not to say you can only write about one topic, but you should only write about one topic in any given essay or post.
Once you pick a topic, stick to it. I beat this one like a dead horse. Don’t ramble. The law of averages suggests that you are probably are not good enough at manipulating prose to do it in such a way that people will enjoy reading it.
Introductions should suggest a purpose. If you aren’t writing for a diary, then you are trying to say something. Make sure you at least allude to this in your first paragraph. Don’t forget that the introduction is a sales pitch: it is where you show what you are going to talk about and demonstrate most of the points and conclusions that you will make. If the reader is interested after reading the introduction, they will read the rest where you explain everything in greater detail. Remember you are not writing a mystery novel, so don’t make your reader guess, and don’t go too far and explain everything in the introduction. Try to find a nice balance between giving it all way and keeping some mystery.
Each paragraph should be well developed with vivid and concrete details. On the internet, generalities are worthless because there are lots of other places where people can get specific facts about whatever they want. See what I mean? That last sentence was worthless because it was too general and stated the obvious.
For other hints for working with individual paragraphs you can read about paragraph structure and paragraph style elsewhere on this website.
Use supporting evidence (facts, figures, examples, illustrations, and other details) to prove both the main point and all subpoints. Most likely you are writing for the internet, so while some people will take everything at face value, most will have learned that the internet is full of worthless and incorrect information.
Is the supporting material appropriate and have I named all of my sources? Never, never, never use photos, videos or quotes without attribution. It is just rude. Even if you just get pointed to something through another website is is nice to give them a little hat tip (literally just say “hat tip” and then link to the website) to show that you appreciate what they did.
Also, make sure that the websites, photos and videos you link to are actually relevant to the topic and don’t “betray” any true feelings: if you are making a political post where you are taking a centrist point of view, make sure you link to both conservative and liberal sources.
Write for a realistic goal. This only applies to writings that deal with larger widespread issues. Unless your post is meant to be satirical, hyperbole will just make you sound unintelligent.