Formulating your words on the page in a coherent manner is one thing, and placing those same words on the page with speed and precision is another. When learning to write, typing speed is key to relocating and organizing the thoughts in your head onto the computer screen. The faster you can type, the less you will trip over your own thoughts. You can learn to type better through speed tests and hand placement strategies. Over time, the basics of the typing test become second nature.
Writing first thing in the morning for a set period of time is effective for coaxing out creativity. Morning pages rely on stream of consciousness writing, where editing and logical thought go out the window. Get into the habit of waking up and immediately writing 1,500 to 2,000 words in one session, usually a half-hour. This writing exercise fuels creativity and derails your inner critic.
Keeping a daily journal improves writing abilities in beginning students of all ages. Unlike the morning pages, journals document specific daily routines of which the journalist tries to make sense. Aspiring writers should make journal entries daily, paying keen attention to journal entry form and style.
Students of writing learn to quickly formulate cohesive sentence structures by first learning to simplify their work. Shorter assignments help students learn to write simpler sentences and paragraphs, peppered with active verbs and positive statements. In addition, shorter assignments allow students to share and review more of their work with peers. This helps students improve their critiquing ability as well as figure out what skills need work.