Most new writers don’t struggle with writing, but they can feel overwhelmed by the nearly infinite lists of writing terms, grammar concepts, and literary devices.
If you’re finding your feet, you’ve probably already come across dozens, like show, don’t tell, passive voice, syntax, and point of view.
Here’s a tip for new writers: it’s easy to focus on the obvious terms and completely miss the ones that make the biggest difference.
The good news? Once you grasp these overlooked terms, they quickly become habits that can almost instantly improve your writing.
What I Wish I’d Known
I first took a genuine interest in writing in my teens, at a time of strict teachers and dusty grammar textbooks.
The one term I vividly recall was the preterite, which seemed to be a favorite topic for English and literature teachers to harp on back then.
Of course, I didn’t have the luxury of the internet, so learning was slow: reading a lot and trying to copy some of my favorite authors.
My teachers mostly set me to reading literary fiction like The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. But I preferred Chariots of the Gods by Erich von Däniken and A Spaniard in the Works by John Lennon.
A little later, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams hooked me instantly.
Yet, over these years, I was still trying to emulate rather than dissect the writing process. The problem was that I didn’t always have a name or a label to attach to what or how I wrote.
Today, it’s so much easier and faster to discover the what and how of writing. The ten writing terms I’ll cover in this article took me years to identify, learn, and label.
But for you, it will be a ten-minute read, and you’ll get the vital elements of writing that took me more than a decade to piece together.
And no, this isn’t a definitive list of 100 literary devices and grammar terms. That would be a book, not a writing advice article.
It’s a guide to the most effective, useful, and easy-to-remember elements of writing. The ones that make a huge difference once you have them locked away in your memory.
Why Are These Writing Terms So Important?
So many literary and grammar terms have weird names that are impossible to remember, let alone use easily.
You might come across long lists of technical definitions that feel more like something for an exam than what you would ever use in your writing.
They might excite editors, but for writers, most of them are irrelevant.
The problem is not the terms themselves, but how they are often presented.
When writing concepts feel abstract or overly technical, they are easy to ignore or forget.
But writing is a practical skill, and the terms that matter are the ones you can recognize, remember, and apply straight away.
That’s why the terms on my list are different.
They are all easy to remember, and once you know them, you can use them while you write.
They are not theoretical concepts or literary devices that you need to study for hours.
Instead, they are all simple labels for writing habits you can apply quickly.
Once you start recognizing them, you’ll see them everywhere, in your own writing and elsewhere.
That awareness is what makes the difference.
By recognizing these patterns as you write, you can fix problems before you even reach your draft revision stage.
So let’s get to the nuts and bolts of writing efficiently with ten writing terms you can remember and quickly put into practice. I’ll start with my favorite writing tip to put into action.
1. The Grammatical Expletive
What is it?
A grammatical expletive is a word or phrase, often there or it, that adds no real meaning to a sentence.
The most common are:
There is / are / was / were / will be
It is / was / will be / has been
We often use the expletive to fill the subject position or introduce a clause, but it almost always makes a sentence weaker or less direct.
Why it’s often overlooked:
Because they sound natural, many new writers don’t notice them. You might use them countless times without realizing it.
Why it matters:
Expletives make sentences longer and less confident. Cutting, or remembering not to use them, helps make your writing more concise and effective.
Quick example:
Weak: There are many reasons why writers struggle with grammar and structure.
Better: Writers struggle with grammar and structure for many reasons.
Writing awareness tip:
Scan your sentences for there is, there are, or it is, and see if you can rewrite them to start with a stronger subject. Better still, remember not to use them as you write.
2. Register
What is it?
Language register is the scale of formality in writing and speaking. We all know about formal and informal, but do you know the other four levels?
Why it’s often overlooked:
You have an instinct about formality when you write, and that’s fine. But you may not know why and how you maintain a consistent register.
Why it matters:
For fiction writers especially, register is a key component in dialogue. It’s how you keep a character’s voice and way of speaking.
Quick example:
Informal: Have you got time for a quick chat? This is a direct, informal question.
Formal: I was wondering if you may have time for a brief discussion? This is an indirect formal question.
Writing awareness tip:
Keeping your creative writing in one register is easy once you understand the levels. Learn how to switch registers deliberately to give your characters distinct voices.
3. Parallelism
What is it?
Parallelism is simply using the same grammatical structure for related ideas in a sentence or list. It creates balance and makes your writing easier to read.
Why it’s often overlooked:
New writers often focus on the words themselves, not the structure. It’s easy to slip into mismatched phrases without realizing it.
Why it matters:
Parallel structures improve clarity, rhythm, and readability. They make sentences feel more intentional and professional.
Quick example:
Non-Parallel: She enjoys reading, to write, and eating fine food.
Parallel: She enjoys reading, writing, and eating fine food.
Writing awareness tip:
When listing ideas or comparing actions or ideas, check that each part of the sentence follows the same grammatical form. It’s one of the easiest writing habits to quickly adopt.
4. Transition Words (or Linking Words)
What are they?
Transition words connect ideas between sentences or paragraphs. Common examples include but, however, so, therefore, meanwhile, and as a result.
Why it’s often overlooked:
Writers know transitions or linking words exist, but they often use them inconsistently or miss opportunities to improve the flow.
Why it matters:
Using transitions effectively helps your writing feel coherent, logical, and easier to follow.
Quick example:
Poor: I wanted to go for a walk. It started raining.
Better: I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
Alternative: I wanted to go for a walk; however, it started raining.
Writing awareness tip:
When ideas feel abrupt or disconnected, a transition word can quickly smooth the flow.
5. Wordiness (or Redundancy)
What is it?
Wordiness occurs when a sentence contains unnecessary words that don’t add any real meaning. Redundancy is similar, repeating ideas or words unnecessarily.
Why it’s often overlooked:
New writers sometimes think longer sentences sound better, or they don’t notice extra filler words sneaking in.
Why it matters:
Cutting wordiness makes writing clearer, faster to read, and more impactful. You can get to your point without the fluff.
Quick example:
Weak: In order to make improvements to your writing, it is important that you take the time to revise carefully.
Better: To improve your writing, revise carefully.
Writing awareness tip:
As you write, ask yourself if every word adds meaning. If not, remove anything that doesn’t add value to a sentence or paragraph.
6. Echo Words
What are they?
Echo words are repeated words or phrases that appear too close together, creating an unintended, distracting repetition in your writing.
Why it’s often overlooked:
Writers often repeat words unconsciously, especially common verbs, nouns, or adjectives. They will slip past a grammar check and often read poorly.
Why it matters:
Removing echo words makes your writing smoother and more effective. It improves readability and keeps the reader focused on your ideas rather than on your repetitions.
Quick example:
Weak: The cat ran quickly across the yard and then ran into the house.
Better: The cat sprinted across the yard and darted into the house.
Writing awareness tip:
As you’re writing, be on your guard for words that appear multiple times in a short span. Try using synonyms or restructuring sentences to break the repetition.
7. Filler Words (or Dead Words)
What are they?
Filler words, sometimes called dead words, are unnecessary words that don’t add meaning or value to a sentence. Common examples include very, really, just, actually, and quite.
Why it’s often overlooked:
These words slip into writing naturally and go unnoticed. Some writers might even think they add emphasis.
Why it matters:
Removing filler words strengthens sentences, makes writing more concise, and gives it more impact.
Quick example:
Weak: She was very happy about the outcome.
Better: She was thrilled about the outcome.
Writing awareness tip:
Concentrate on words that don’t add meaning as you write, especially weak intensifiers such as very, quite, and just.
8. Nominalization
What is it?
Nominalization is when you turn a verb or an adjective into a noun. For example, decide becomes decision and strong becomes strength.
Why it’s often overlooked:
Nominalizations can seem to make writing sound formal or academic, and writers often use them without thinking. But they can hide action and slow down your sentences.
Why it matters:
Using more verbs instead of nouns makes sentences clearer, more direct, and more engaging. It keeps the writing active and energetic.
Quick example:
Weak: The implementation of the plan was successful.
Better: They successfully implemented the plan.
Writing awareness tip:
Watch for nouns that could be verbs. Using active verbs in your writing improves clarity and is more concise.
9. Sentence Variety
What is it?
Sentence variety means using different sentence lengths and structures to make your writing more interesting to read. Short sentences punch a point, medium sentences develop a point, and longer sentences explore options, contrasts, or subtle differences.
Why it’s often overlooked:
New writers often stick to one sentence type, usually simple sentences, because it feels safe. Without variety, writing can feel monotonous or flat.
Why it matters:
Varying your sentence structure keeps readers interested and improves the flow of your writing. It also allows you to emphasize key ideas and control your pacing.
Quick example:
Short: Avoid adverbs in writing.
Medium: Writers should avoid adverbs because they often weaken verbs and make sentences less precise.
Long: While adverbs can sometimes add emphasis or rhythm, relying on them too often weakens your verbs, and in most cases, you can improve clarity and impact by using a stronger verb instead.
Writing awareness tip:
As you write, mix short, medium, and long sentences deliberately. Use short, punchy sentences to grab attention, medium ones to make a point, and longer sentences to explore contrasts or multiple ideas.
Tip! You can use our free Sentence Flow & Variety Checker to help you.
10. Hedging
What is it?
Hedging uses words or phrases that soften statements, making them less direct or certain. Examples include might, could, perhaps, somewhat, and I think.
Why it’s often overlooked:
Writers use hedging unconsciously to sound polite or cautious. But you don’t need to be courteous and well-mannered all the time to write well.
Why it matters:
Hedging weakens what you say and makes your writing seem uncertain. Removing unnecessary hedges makes your writing stronger and more confident.
Quick example:
Weak: This might possibly improve your writing.
Better: This improves your writing.
Writing awareness tip:
Try to avoid hedging words. Ask yourself whether each one is necessary, because cutting unnecessary hedges strengthens your writing immediately.
Conclusion
Learning to write well isn’t about memorizing endless lists of obscure literary devices, grammar points, or writing terms.
It’s about recognizing the most vital elements that make your writing clearer, stronger, and more interesting to read.
The ten terms in this article aren’t just names or labels; they are effective writing tools.
Once you understand them and put them into practice, they become habits that save time, sharpen your writing, and give you more confidence as you write.
You don’t have to spend years figuring these out as I did. A little awareness and a few minutes of practice are enough to start seeing improvement immediately.
So, when you write your next draft, keep an eye out for these ten essential writing terms. Notice them, apply them, and soon they’ll be second nature, helping you write better.
Remember: strong writing isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness, practice, and having the right tools to use.
Related Reading: 10 Easy Sentence Structure Variations For New Writers
