Empowering Your Writing: 7 Free Tools to Enhance Your Skills
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Writing has long been a subject of deep thought and insight. Hegel suggests that it bridges gaps in social ideology, while Thomas Mann advises dedicating at least three hours daily to this craft. Kierkegaard views writing as an antidote to boredom, and Barthes highlights its essence as driven by passion and obsession.
My writing journey commenced fifteen years ago with a WordPress blog. This endeavor took on a new dimension when I transitioned to Medium over six years ago, allowing me to connect with a broader audience and share my passion for mathematics. Medium is a fantastic platform, as it attracts millions of readers willing to pay for content.
Though I began as an amateur writer, I've made significant strides since then. Writing, like any skill, improves with time, and I devote substantial effort to ensuring the quality of my work. My aim is to provide valuable insights and information to my readers.
Below are tools that I believe have greatly boosted my writing productivity. Each tool has unique features, and they are incredibly beneficial if utilized correctly. I hope you find them as helpful as I have. All of them are available for free, albeit with some limitations.
Jasper — AI Copywriter
Jasper labels itself as "the Future of Writing" and is arguably the most valuable tool on this list. Leveraging sophisticated Artificial Intelligence, it generates content on virtually any topic. While it may seem counterintuitive that a writing aid could enhance your skills, if used correctly, Jasper can be a tremendous asset.
For instance, when you hit a creative roadblock, Jasper can assist by generating content that helps you move forward and develop your ideas further. In essence, it serves as an excellent resource for overcoming writer's block.
QuillBot — Paraphrasing Tool
QuillBot is a remarkable tool designed to paraphrase any text effortlessly. It often proves challenging to articulate your thoughts in writing, and that's where QuillBot shines. When combined with Grammarly, its effectiveness is multiplied.
Otter — Speech to Text
Otter exemplifies the brilliance of artificial intelligence, as it automatically transcribes spoken words into text, complete with appropriate punctuation and speaker differentiation.
For example, if you're attending a conference or class, you can activate Otter to receive an instant transcript of the discussion. Additionally, uploading an audio recording will quickly generate a neatly organized text document featuring all speakers.
While Otter is incredibly useful for capturing lectures, it also serves those on the go who wish to jot down their thoughts in text form.
Grammarly — No More Grammar Mistakes
Grammarly is an essential tool that elevates a writer's quality in ways you might not expect. It not only rectifies grammar errors across various document sizes but also instills confidence by correcting infrequent spelling mistakes.
Moreover, it identifies repetitive words and suggests synonyms to enhance your writing style. Additionally, it recommends rephrasing convoluted sentences for greater clarity.
However, like any tool, Grammarly is not infallible. It can sometimes offer unusual suggestions, such as preferring "critical" over "important" or "to" instead of "in order to." It may also prompt you to revise every passive sentence, even when they are contextually appropriate.
You can access a limited version of Grammarly for free or opt for the full version at an annual fee of $144.
ia writer — Minimalist Text Editor
ia writer is a minimalist application designed solely for writing. It offers a clean interface with three lines of text on a white background, allowing you to focus on crafting one sentence after another, thus enhancing your productivity.
It also facilitates easy integration of your notes with your writing, promoting the idea of "navigating your mind," making it perfect for those who struggle to concentrate.
Storyist — Text Editor
Storyist is an excellent text editor, particularly beneficial for writing books or lengthy articles. It helps organize your writing segments, ensuring you keep track of what you’ve completed and what remains to be done.
Hemingway Editor — Simple Writing Editor
Hemingway is an indispensable tool for any writing enthusiast. You could consider it a completely free alternative to Grammarly.
Hemingway identifies grammatical errors, provides word counts, evaluates readability, and offers general tips for improving your writing.
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