52 works of Canadian fiction coming out in spring 2024

5 ChatGPT Prompts To Improve Your Writing (With Instant Results)

5 ChatGPT prompts to improve your writing (with instant results)

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Writing is a valuable skill, but getting good takes intentionality. Learn, then practice. Repeat. ChatGPT can help (with the right prompts, of course). Compelling copy will propel your business to new heights when customers connect with your sales pages, resonate with your emails, and believe your social media posts really get them. Don't miss the chance to make connections with your words. Get good at this today.

Improve your writing fast and for free with ChatGPT and the following prompts. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through.

Instantly improve your writing: 5 ChatGPT prompts Improve the hook

You only have a few seconds to get someone's attention. That means the first sentence of social media posts, articles and even emails has to pack a punch. Don't waste time waffling or metaphorically clearing your throat. Get straight into the meat, open with the punchline or create an information gap. The hook is everything. Paste your work with the following prompt:

"Revise my opening sentence to make it more engaging and attention-grabbing by creating an information gap, starting in the middle of the story, or pulling on a known pain that my target audience of [describe target audience] has. Give 5 options for a new opening line. Here is the entire piece for context: [paste your entire piece]."

Make it simpler

Everything you were taught about writing at school is wrong. You shouldn't use complicated words in an attempt to sound clever. Instead, use simple words and focus on clarity of message. Save the fancy sentences for lords and ladies. Save the complicated paragraphs for lawyers and academics.

"Rewrite the following passage using simpler words and clearer language, targeting a reading level of [specify reading level, e.G., 8th grade]. Explain the changes made and why: [paste your work]."

Write in active voice

Keep readers engaged with the active voice, which is simpler and more engaging than any other writing style. Get ChatGPT's help until this comes naturally for better results and more interesting writing. Stay active, stay upbeat, and make sure your reader stays with you.

"Convert the following sentences to active voice to make them more engaging. This means the subject is the person or thing performing the action (e.G. She loved him as opposed to the passive form he was loved). Explain the changes made and why: [paste your sentences]."

Remove ambiguity

A confused buyer doesn't buy. A confused reader goes elsewhere. Don't confuse people. Just because a sentence makes perfect sense to you, doesn't mean someone else will process it the same. Get ChatGPT's help removing ambiguous wording so readers glide down your article all the way to the end.

"Clarify and remove any ambiguous wording from the following text, ensuring it is easy to understand for the reader. Explain the changes made and why: [paste your text]."

Turn one idea to many

After you have your killer paragraphs and winning lines, ideate with ChatGPT to find new topics. Repurpose, rework and explore new angles. Get prompts for new tweets, posts and articles along the same lines. Use this prompt for a list of starters then write them all in your new and improved style.

"Using this [article, sales copy, email] as a basis, generate new topics and angles for additional content, including [specify, e.G. Tweets, posts, and articles.] Provide headlines and opening lines for the suggested new content: [paste your work]."

Become a better writer with ChatGPT

Writing well opens doors. Buyers want to buy, readers want to read, and getting on a level with someone happens with less effort. But contrary to popular belief, being a great writer isn't something you were born with. It's something you improve and hone over a long period of time.

Write what people want to read, not what you think you should write. Don't be too proud to practice, don't be too sure of yourself to ask for critique. Get ChatGPT's pointers and share your unique messages in a more compelling way.

Course Descriptions

CW 1040 Intro to Creative Writing    Bergstraesser      

This course is designed to help you craft various works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. In addition to in-class writing exercises, creative exercises outside of class, and discussions, you will critique each other's writing in a constructive workshop atmosphere—thereby developing useful editorial skills that will help you improve your own writing.

Through lecture and discussion, we will explore the technique and devices involved in creating these three genres. We will read and discuss the works of many different writers, using their technique and content as a guide for your own writing.

And if this course description seems dull, the class is anything but.

CW 2080 Intro to Poetry      Northrop        TR 11 a.M. - 12:15 p.M.

In this course we will read and write poetry; we will discuss, enthuse over and question our responses, question the poems and our expectations of poems. Completing and revising both in- and out-of-class writing assignments, students should expect to produce, by the end of the semester, a poetry portfolio (and artist statement).  Class time will be divided between discussion of reading assignments and workshop submissions.  Please see instructor with any questions. 

CW 2125 Special Topics in Writing: Animals. Northrop. TR 2:45 p.M. - 4:00 p.M.

Our worlds are not the only worlds. We live with and beside the non-human animals: pronghorn, Swainson's hawks, lap dogs, mountain lions straying through town, pine beetles, Mourning Cloaks, drowned kittens, nighthawks overhead, raccoons in the kitchen, Mountain Whitefish.  How do we sound these worlds?  And why? To what ends?  Writers have long looked to and imagined the non-human, but how do we do that?  How do we write (and think) that which we name but may not be able to fully know?  In this course we will consider (through class discussion of assigned readings, independent research, writing exercises and semester-long creative writing projects) ways of thinking / representing non-human animals and our relationships with them. In this course, we will approach and mind those relationships.

We will be considering a range of creative work: stories, poems, essays, short videos, dramatic monologues, paintings, photographs.  Of each creative piece we will discuss the questions that we read as driving the piece, and the questions the piece raises for us.  It's not possible for me to know our questions now, ahead of time, but some possible questions, or rather, some of my own questions:  How do we look at non-human animals?  How are we looked at?  How do non-human animal and human animal lives intersect?  What boundaries have been erected historically and why, to what end?  How are our lives shaped by non-human animals?  How are non-human animals lives shaped?  What responsibilities do humans have?  What causes for joy, what concerns?

CW 4050-02 Writers Workshop: Fiction. Pexton. TR 1:20 p.M. - 2:35 p.M. 

In this class students will read examples of published short stories, and possibly some longer work, and participate in discussions that break down the elements of fiction at work: character, setting/place, point of view, tone/style/narrative voice, dialog, conflict/plot, main ideas, etc. The reading will be mostly, if not entirely, Realism. The writing will be short stories of varying length, from flash fiction to short-short stories to full-length stories. Students who wish to write longer pieces should discuss the work with the instructor before committing to such a project for this class. The writing will be approximately 30 pp +/- of original fiction (this excludes, for the purposes of this course, fan fiction or game fiction) plus additional writing of occasional exercises and critiques/analyses of the outside reading and peers' work. Attendance required. If circumstances force the class to move entirely online, attendance will consist of posting required materials on the required date at the required hour. Text materials supplied by the instructor.   

CW 5540-01 Seminar: Writing for Public Audiences. Brown. 

CW 5540-02 Seminar. Northrop. T 4:10 p.M. - 7:10 p.M.

CW 5560-01 Writing Workshop: Time & Place. Hagy. M 3:10 p.M. - 6:20 p.M.

CW 5560-02 Writing Workshop: Creative Nonfiction. Brown. W 3:10 p.M. - 6:20 p.M.

For a full listing all courses offered by Creative Writing, please use the UW Catalog.

25 Writing Tips For Business Owners And Content Marketers: Part 5

Here we go, content creators! It's time to learn a few ways to finesse and get more from your ... [+] content.

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Welcome back, content creators and wordsmiths. Ready to take your writing from good to great? In this fifth and final installment of my writing tips series, I'll discuss advanced techniques that separate the pros from the amateurs.

If you missed any of the first four parts, you can find them here:

Part 1—includes tips on varying sentence length, using active voice, and tapping the power of specificity.

Part 2—talks about simplifying complex topics, using analogies, injecting emotion, creating compelling headlines, and using the power of social proof.

Part 3 explores the visual side of content creation, from formatting for skimmability to strategically using whitespace, fonts, and colors.

Part 4—covers the art of empathetic writing, showing instead of telling, and creating a shared narrative with your reader.

As you work through this final installment, consider your content a rough diamond. You've mined and shaped it, but now it's time for the finishing touches to make it truly shine. That's what these tips are all about—the polish that turns your words into brilliant content.

In this article, discover:

Why self-editing is your secret weapon (and how to wield it like a pro).

The surprising power of criticism (yes, you read that right).

The tools and partnerships that can elevate your writing quality.

How to make your content work harder through clever repurposing.

The art of keeping your best pieces fresh and relevant, year after year.

Let's dive in.

Tip 21: Self-editing—your secret weapon

The more you edit yourself, the better a writer you'll become.

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Isn't "self-editing" just reading a draft several times? Yes… but there's more. Think of self-editing as a content personal trainer. It whips your words into shape, trimming the fat and building muscle where it counts. The work is not always comfortable, but the results? They're worth every moment you spend scrutinizing your work.

Here's what self-editing does for your content:

Clarifies your message—is your main point shining through or hiding behind fluff?

Strengthens your language—are your verbs doing heavy lifting or napping on the job?

Improves your flow—does your content run smoothly from point to point or stumble over awkward transitions?

Trims the fat—can you say more with less? In writing, less is often more.

My best advice is not to rush to publish the next time you finish a draft. Take a break, whether for hours or days, then return with fresh eyes and give your work the edit your brilliant ideas deserve.

Here are a few ways to self-edit:

Read the content aloud—you'll hear awkward transitions and areas that don't make sense.

Read the content backwards—this is a pro proofreader's tip for when 100% accuracy is a must.

Create a reverse outline—use your finished draft to create an outline to see the structure of your work and find areas that need help.

Tip 22: Embrace constructive feedback

Not all criticism is helpful. But you have to invite it and listen to it to begin to discern.

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Have you ever hit 'publish,' beaming with pride, only to receive... Criticism? Ouch. Your first instinct might be to defend your work or dismiss the feedback. But criticism could be your greatest ally in content creation.

Think of constructive feedback as a GPS for your writing. It helps you avoid traffic jams, discover more scenic routes, and reach your destination more pleasantly and efficiently. When you open yourself to input from others, you can tap into fresh perspectives and ideas.

Embracing feedback can help you:

Identify blind spots—like angles you hadn't considered and areas not as clear as you thought.

Spark new ideas—a reader's question could lead to your next great piece of content.

Strengthen your skills—constructive criticism is a chance to improve your writing.

Here's a practical tip: The next time you receive feedback, resist the urge to respond right away. Instead, take a deep breath, sleep on it if you can, and then approach the feedback with curiosity.

Ask yourself:

Is the feedback coming from a place of genuine helpfulness, or is it just negativity?

Is it in line with your goals and values, or does it pull you in a different direction?

Can you use it to improve your work, or is it just a matter of personal preference?

The goal isn't to please everyone—it's to create the best content you can. And sometimes, a fresh perspective is just what you need to take your writing from good to great.

Tip 23: Use writing tools, apps, and partners

It's hard to make excuses about typos with so many tools, apps, and partners all around.

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Every writer needs tools and support. Bring your skills and ideas to the table and use the right tools and partners to help you create something remarkable.

Let's start with the tools. Writing apps like Grammarly and Hemingway help you create clear, readable content. Grammarly has free and paid versions; I use the paid version every day. It helps me catch grammar and spelling errors and suggests style improvements. It's a great first-line defense against the little mistakes that undermine your message.

Hemingway is all about improving your writing's readability. It highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and other readability issues, pushing you to make your writing as clear and punchy as possible.

Partners are another key ingredient for great content. Although writing is often a solitary pursuit, the best content happens through collaboration and external input. That's where editing and content coaching come in.

When you work with an editor or writing coach like me, you get a second set of eyes on your work, plus a fresh, well-trained mind that can spot opportunities for improvement, suggest new approaches, and help you develop your unique writing voice. It's like having a personal trainer for your writing skills—someone to push, guide, and celebrate your progress.

Of course, not every piece needs the full editorial treatment. But that extra level of professional polish can make all the difference for your most important work—your cornerstone content, thought leadership pieces, and the messages you really want to land.

And partnership doesn't have to mean a long-term commitment. Even a one-time edit or coaching session can make a difference. The key is finding the level of support that fits your budget and goals.

Tip 24: Repurpose your content for maximum mileage

Turn one piece of content into many in the same way that an atom splits.

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Content repurposing, or content atomization, is the art of turning one piece of content into several to reach new audiences. It's about working smarter, not harder, and getting the most juice out of every piece you create.

Imagine, for example, that you've written a stellar blog post. You've researched the topic, created a compelling narrative, and packed the post with insights. That's great! But why stop there? With a little creative thinking, that one blog post could become:

A series of social media posts, each highlighting a key takeaway.

An infographic that visually represents your main points.

A video script for a YouTube tutorial or explainer.

A podcast episode or audio version for on-the-go listening.

A chapter in an ebook or a section of a whitepaper.

Each new format allows you to reach new people, cater to different learning styles, and reinforce your message across multiple touchpoints. And because you're starting from a solid foundation, repurposing will be much quicker and easier than creating something from scratch.

The benefits of repurposing go beyond efficiency. It can also help you:

Boost SEO—more content means more opportunities to target keywords, earn backlinks, and improve your search engine rankings.

Reinforce your message—repetition is key to learning and retention. When you present ideas in multiple ways, you help your audience internalize and remember key points.

Show off your versatility—repurposing helps you communicate across media and adapt to different contexts, positioning you as a multifaceted, adaptable content creator.

Of course, repurposing doesn't mean simply copying and pasting your content into a new format. You have to tailor each piece to the medium and audience, which might mean:

Adjusting the length and pacing to suit the format.

Modifying the language and tone to match the platform.

Adding or removing elements to fit the context.

Updating examples or references to keep the content fresh and relevant.

The key is to view your original content as a starting point, not an endpoint. With each repurposing, you can refine, expand, and enhance your ideas.

Tip 25: Refresh your content regularly for lasting impact

Refresh your best content regularly to get more mileage from it.

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Content refreshing is the practice of periodically revisiting and updating your content to keep it accurate, engaging, and optimized for search engines and readers. It keeps your best content your best, no matter how much time passes.

Consider your cornerstone content—the pieces that define your brand, showcase your expertise, and attract the most traffic. You want to keep those pieces in prime condition. Experts recommend refreshing this type of content at least every six months. But what does that refreshing process look like?

It could mean:

Adding a new video or multimedia element to improve the reader's experience.

Updating statistics, examples, or case studies to reflect the latest data and trends.

Revising the call-to-action or download offer to match current marketing goals.

Fixing links that don't work, outdated references, or broken buttons.

Optimizing the title, headers, and meta descriptions for SEO.

Regular updates signal to search engines and readers that your content is current, credible, and worthy of attention. They keep your piece in the spotlight, attracting new readers and keeping the interest of returning ones.

Regular updates can also help you:

Improve your search rankings—search engines favor fresh, relevant content. Updating regularly increases your chances of ranking higher in search results.

Boost engagement—new elements, updated information, and refreshed CTAs give readers new reasons to engage, whether it's their first time or fifth.

Extend the content lifespan—refreshing helps your best pieces stay relevant and valuable for longer so you can get the most return on your content investment.

Identify new opportunities—in updating, you might discover new angles to explore, gaps to fill, or reader needs to address. Each refresh is a chance to make your content even better.

Of course, not every piece needs a full overhaul every six months. The frequency and depth of your refreshes will depend on factors like:

The nature of your industry (fast-moving fields might require more frequent updates).

The type of content (news-based pieces might need more regular attention than evergreen how-tos).

The piece's performance (high-traffic, high-converting content should be a refreshing priority).

Don't let your best pieces gather digital dust. Give them the regular refresh they need to shine.

What's next? The journey to content mastery continues

Keep learning, keep growing, and keep on working toward content mastery!

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Congratulations. You—and I—just made it through this five-part series on writing tips for business owners and content marketers! From the fundamentals of great writing to advanced techniques for optimization and repurposing, you now have a solid toolkit for creating content that informs, engages, and inspires.

But as you likely know, the journey to content mastery is ongoing. There's always more to learn, new strategies to try, and other ways to refine your craft. The most successful content creators embrace this continual learning and growth.

I invite you to follow me on Forbes to continue your journey. As a regular contributor here, I'm constantly sharing new insights, tips, and strategies for content creation and marketing. By following me, you'll get practical, actionable advice to help you keep leveling up your content.

I also invite you to sign up for my Beyond Copy newsletter for even more in-depth guidance. I share my most detailed tutorials, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive resources here. It's your VIP pass to ongoing content education and inspiration.

And remember, you don't have to go on this content journey alone. Whether you need a skilled writer to create compelling pieces, an eagle-eyed editor to refine your work, a strategic consultant to guide your content planning, or a coach to develop your skills, I can help.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. It's been a pleasure sharing these tips and techniques with you. Now, go forth and create content that matters, content that moves, content that makes a difference.

Your readers are waiting.

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