What are the major mistakes beginner writers do?

Question

Beginner students usually make common mistakes, what are they?

Answer 1

Hi!

I think one major mistake beginner writers often make is writing just for the sake of writing. What I mean by that is, there’s this idea that the more words you use, the more meaningful your writing will seem — but in reality, less is often more when it comes to getting your point across clearly.

Another common mistake is starting without a clear plan. I really believe it helps to first figure out the main idea you want to communicate, and then think about the best ways to express it. That way, you avoid adding extra points or ideas that might take away from your main message.

Answer 2

There are some great comments here. And clearly many ways new writers can improve their work and its impact. Some rules and tips vary by platform, genre, and audience. As a professional, journalist, writer, and editor, here are some tips I've learned along the way:

1. Follow plain language principles. You can look into this method, but it is about choosing simple, effective and clear writing, and removing filler language. For example, use "about" instead of "approximately." Or rewrite phrases like "in order to learn..." to simply "to learn ...."
2. Use an active voice and avoid passive language. Here's an example:
3. Change: "In order for Charlie to get ready to go to the store, he has to figure out a way to carry the boxes home."
4. To this: "Charlie must find a way to carry boxes home from the store."
5. Consider using more descriptive verbs, and fewer adjectives. The right verb can really change the impact of a sentence.
6. Use colorful, descriptive language to paint a mental picture for the reader.
7. Add a great analogy to improve the narrative.
8. Lastly, read, read, read. That is arguably the best way to improve as a writer, by learning from the greats.

Good luck!

Answer 3

In my experience, one of the biggest mistakes beginner writers make is forgetting who their audience is. Writing is communication, and if you’re not thinking about who you’re talking to, your message can get lost. Many new writers try to sound overly formal or impressive, but that often gets in the way of clarity. Good writing should feel purposeful and easy to follow. Focusing on what you want to say and who you’re saying it to will take you much farther than fancy words ever will.

Answer 4

As a college lecturer in Creative Writing and Composition, one of the biggest mistakes I see students make is failing to consider the rhetorical situation of their text. Before diving into an assignment, ask yourself the following:

1. What's my topic?
2. What's my purpose?
3. Who is my audience?

Answer 5

They vary between "form" and "content" mistakes. For example,

1. Starting a sentence with a small letter.
2. Not adding a full stop by the end of the sentence.
3. Not following punctuation rules.
4. Not having a topic sentence
5. Not supporting ideas with details.