This how-to article will guide you through the steps guaranteed to reduce your stress level and produce better quality work.

1. Think it through. This sounds like obvious advice, but many people don’t do it. They just start tapping. Consequently, they wander around the subject and never get to the point because they haven’t figured out what it’s supposed to be.

2. Evaluate what type of piece it is. Opinion, news, literature review? Keep coming back to the task until you know exactly what the criteria is.

3. Calculate the requirements. If the task says a thousand words, that’s exactly what you should be aiming for, not 1223 or 932. Keep an eye on the word counter located at the bottom left of the screen.

4. Work from an outline. Once thought and evaluated the task, elaborate an outline. The standard format is abstract, introduction, supporting paragraphs, also called the body of the essay, and conclusion. Of these, the first, second, and last are the most important.

5. Decide on a job title. This may be changed once the piece is finished, but if you leave the space blank, you may forget about it as the deadline approaches. Each essay requires a title.

6. Justify your work to the left. That’s how it is. The title can be centered, but everything else must start on the left. Keep the work centered for your personal correspondence.

7. Avoid bleeding. This format, in the history of writing, is right next to typewriters. Double space between paragraphs.

8. Choose a font. This may sound like a sticky point and it is. Some assignments actually specify which font the teacher and/or editor wants to use. If you have questions and/or are involved with the media, look up Times New Roman. Yes, it’s boring, but it’s also the industry standard.

9. Keep sentences short and sharp. Use word count and if there are more than 30 words, take out your writing machete and cut them out. Or rework it into two sentences.

10. Keep paragraphs short. Use the formula of an idea, a paragraph.

The general rule of thumb for length is three to five lines. But maybe just one, particularly in journalism where every word counts, or 10 if it’s an academic paper. If you have doubts, review number three and assess what type of paper it is.

11. Focus on developing good topic sentences. If the topic sentence doesn’t grab the reader’s attention, it won’t be read. The lede, as it is known in publishing circles, is essential. Another idea is to write the paragraph and then delete the first sentence and use the second. The logic behind this? The first sentence might be too difficult, while the second one fits better.

12. Edit, edit, edit. Too many people think that once they have written the draft, the task is over. No no no. Reread the work. Go for a walk, play a round of golf, have lunch, and then come back to see it with fresh eyes. Another tactic is to read it out loud to hear how it sounds to the reader.

13. Ask for a second opinion. Befriend another writer and trade edits of each other’s work.

14. Keep learning and polishing. Writing is an evolving area and the goal is to keep improving, not settle for mediocrity.

Develop a positive attitude towards writing and it will become your friend. Negativity breeds bad grades and/or readers fleeing to other publications in droves.