Laiba Shahzad
In this era of the Web, blogs have become well-received publications and have changed the way we access the internet. Blog writings generate knowledge and invite readers to share, create, and interact in a virtual space. Our learning experience has broadened with the effective use of blogging. This is the reason many people around the world have started working in this field. For people, English has become the most critical skill that allows them to communicate with others in an international writing community.
According to Hyland (2002),
“Academic writing, like all forms of communication, is an act of identity: it not always conveys disciplinary ‘content’ but also carries a presentation of the writer”.
It might be surprising to some people but a lot of the blogs on the internet are written by non-native English bloggers. Some of their blogs get published as top blogs online. Some of the most talented online bloggers create content that people love to read and share. They actually know how to connect with their audience and are most passionate about their work. You cannot tell by their writing that they are non-native English bloggers but if you hear them speaking, you will instantly realize English is absolutely not their first language.
So if you have come from a faraway land and are not feeling comfortable in the writer’s place, then follow these instructions to start writing like a true native-English writer.
Place idea over spelling:
Instead of struggling hard and proving yourself as good as a native-English speaker, try to gather as much information as you can before starting on a project. Along with proper spelling and grammar, concentrate on getting some unique ideas for your article. You can get these ideas even from news, forums, or discussions. You can even resource articles that will help you a lot in increasing the traffic for your blog.
Learn English by reading a lot:
If you are living in an English-speaking country then it is a lot easier to make additions to your vocabulary and improve your grammar on daily basis. But if that’s not the case then the best way to learn new words and correct your grammar is to read. Read books, articles, English news, etc., and make it a habit. You can do quality reading if you follow the given tips
- Make a list of “top 5” list of quality blogs: You cannot read more than you consume so always make a list of the top five magazines, blogs, or newsletters that you want to go through in a day. Amazon is a good place to access the best books, and if you have Kindle then you can get everything within minutes.
- Subscribe to newsletters: In this way, you will be able to get daily updates.
- Organize your content with the help of tools: keep all of your content in one place. Find apps that can filter, bookmark, and customize whatever you read.
- Learn phrases and expressions: Learn some of the pet phrases and sentences and learn to use them effectively.
Proofread and edit:
It’s a fact that if you are not a native-English speaker, you will make tons of mistakes while writing. Obviously, you cannot send your articles without checking them for mistakes, incorrect grammar will make you lose your client in no time. So proofread your writings. Correct grammar usage is the first stage of being accepted as a writer. But don’t just rely on proofreading; always check the way the sentences have been written. Take a professional’s help to recheck your content for any mistakes.
Get the “Guest blogging badge” by writing for quality blogs:
Despite being a new writer, you can make a guest appearance in blogs. Try to link yourself with good editorial teams and they will help you with your writing mistakes.
Get an editing wand:
When you have completed your article and have no time to go through it for a spelling and grammar check. You just close your eyes and wish all the errors were gone with just one flick of your wrist. Although a magic wand does not exist in the real world you can get it in the online world. That will be an automated editing tool that will make your life easier. Three of the tools that are popular among the masses are Grammarly, Ginger, and Hemingway.
Sound like a Native English speaker:
Speaking in English with native English speakers not only enhances your vocabulary but also improves your grammar and use of sentences. Try to participate in discussions so that you can get a good grasp of the English language.
Practice writing:
As you need exercise to stay healthy, in the same way, you need to practice writing in order to become a professional English writer. The best way is to write three pages in the English language daily on any topic you want to write about. This practice will give you a command over your style of writing.
Detect typical errors:
Being a non-native English writer, you easily get caught up in the most typical mistakes. These mistakes influence your writing style. Your mother tongue can strongly influence your English writing so always pay special attention to articles (like ‘a or ‘the’) and helping words while writing a blog post.
By following these simple steps, you can easily overcome the language hurdles and can make your life much easier as a writer.
