How to Improve Your Writing Skills

by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

How to Improve Your Writing Skills

by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

Writing police reports takes time and effort.

You want to please your supervisor…

…but maybe your writing skills aren’t as sharp as you’d like them to be.

What are some things you can do to become a better police writer?

Here are six things you can start doing right away.

1. Enlist a friend.

Ask a friend to look over your reports before you submit them.

Pay attention to what others tell you about your writing. You can learn a lot that way.

Even the best writers sometimes have trouble spotting their own mistakes. Another set of eyes can be a big help.

2. Use resources.

If you’re writing on a laptop, use the spellchecker and grammar checker.

If you’re writing by hand, keep a dictionary nearby—and use it!

The Internet has many free resources for police officers.

3. Proofread.

Don’t be in a big hurry to hand in your report. Read it over carefully at least twice.

4. Keep a notebook.

Jot down reminders about words that cause problems for you.

5. Read.

Nothing (nothing!) sharpens your brainpower like reading.

You’ll pick up all kinds of information about language without even realizing you’re doing it.

Set aside some time for reading every day.

(It doesn’t have to be serious or heavy!)

6. Keep it simple.

You don’t need a lot of grammar terminology to be a good writer.

Good writing isn’t complicated!• Start every sentence with a

person, place, or thing. • End every sentence with a

period. • Keep your sentences short.

Let’s review.

Here are six things you can do TODAY to start becoming a better writer.

What’s stopping YOU?

You can learn more about report writing at

www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

All the resources there are FREE: www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

And if you’re looking for a low-cost, practical book…

The Criminal Justice Report Writing Guide for Officers is available from www.Amazon.com for just $17.95.

View a free sample online.

An e-book edition is available from www.Smashwords.com for only $11.99.

A free Instructor’s Manual is available on request: Send an e-mail to jreynoldswrite at aol.com.