I am always amazed and dismayed by folks who don't value good writing. Being a writer is not something that anyone can do, not unless they really make an effort. It is a very doable skill, though, for those willing to try.
I've been pondering how one would go about teaching someone to write. If you are trying to make a point quickly, which is the essence of most blogging and internet writing, you have to grasp the basic tenets of good writing. If you are needing to do more serious writing, this is aimed at you, too.
Here are some tips. These should simply be a starting point.
1. Before you start to write, imagine your audience. A teacher? A reader of online articles? A friend. Think about their possible reaction to your topic.
2. Why are you writing? Are you trying to inform, persuade, amuse? What is the point? You need to know why in order to best choose your words and structure your sentences. You might even use the "why" to help you brainstorm. For instance, if you are blogging because you want to persuade someone to use your services, you might start off by linking to an article, for instance:
[link] Explosion in cupcake factory results in some cupcakes containing bits of iron and bug parts
[your points - why you are different]
1. I bake cupcakes in a new facility
2. My place is regularly inspected for safety.
3. My shop is sprayed for bugs on a regular basis.
3. Brainstorm what you want to say, generally, and just put down your thoughts. Don't worry about spelling or grammar or mechanics. Getting the ideas down is most important. This is your first draft. You might even want to put a star by the most important points, and then your thoughts just below. For example:
The real estate market in Myrtle Beach has slowed down in recent years.
my houses are better built / my houses are closer to the ocean / I offer discounts to senior citizens
4. Go back and re-read your ideas. Decide what each paragraph will do, and make a rough outline. Don't let the word "outline" scare you. It can be in any form that works to help you organize your thoughts.
5. Do a second draft. Craft each paragraph. Make sure, if you're doing formal writing, that it has a topic sentences, 3-5 supporting sentences, and a conclusion. If you're simply blogging or writing informally, you can isolate particular sentences for emphasis. For instance:
The were many houses on the road. All were imposting. All had families living there.
Only one house contained a monster.
6. Proofread. There are two types of proofreading; one time over fixing sentences and making sure everything is grammatical and properly punctuated.Even if you hated English in school, you should know if a sentence has a subject and a verb, and if it ends with the correct mark - a period, question mark, or exclamation mark.
The second time is to see if the work accomplishes what you set out to do. Try to read it objectively. Go back to the WHY - did it accomplish that?
7. Put it away. If possible, try to build in time to put away your writing for a few hours or a day or a week. Going back after time has passed will help you see the work again with fresh eyes.
8. Ask for help. If you read what you wrote and it doesn't seem to have accomplished the goal, ask for help from an Editor. That person can be a friend, teacher, mentor, co-worker, etc.
9. Make sure everything is spelled correctly. Spellcheck doesn't catch everything.
10. Get feedback. After some time has passed, ask the recipient of what you wrote their response, if possible. If they have constructive criticism, listen to it.
As with any skill, practice is crucial. I am a good writer because I write every.single.day - anywhere from a couple hundred words to several thousand words. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
There are tons of resources for writers, but this is just a quick way to get to thinking about it. If you really want to be a better writer, WRITE.
Also, READ. Always be reading a book. That will help you know how to write better.
If you are really serious, STUDY. Take a class at a local college, or look up videos on YouTube, or consider getting a degree in writing.