The Gap Created by Complicated Tools
Who else is exhausted by the number of buttons, doodads, and settings on their word processor? I find that every time I try to do something simple in traditional word tools that I am either bombarded by unnecessary settings or confused about where to find the actually useful things. These tools have been around forever and you know their names without me having to spell it out for you...
and maybe you are frustrated by how complex they are when all you want to do is write an engaging article to post online. I am not saying that modern word processors have no place. For example, their complexity does allow you to control exactly how a document will look, which is very useful for students who have to follow strict essay guidelines. In that, modern word processors have their place.
But for those of us who are writing online, it is simply not necessary. In fact, it is sometimes disruptive to the process. Modern word processors and their monolithic "ribbons" of settings have created a gap in what writers need, because they seek to solve a much more complicated problem: document styling and formatting over actual writing. Luckily, there is a new app building toward an easier and more informed writing environment.
DraftWrite Provides a Simple Writing Space with Key Feedback that all Writers Need
I can remember the first time I sat down to write. I write fiction a lot, and that first time was magical. No clutter or mess, because it was written in notepad. I didn't fuss with margins; all I had to do was write. That being said, it wasn't the best thing I had ever written either. It was clunky, wordy in some places and sparse in others, and didn't consider the reader at all. It was just for me. Obviously, that doesn't translate well to writing for an audience. This is where DraftWrite really shines:
DraftWrite provides writing style and readability scores to help you write for your audience. This includes... your writing style. The style of this article was "Persuasive". the sentiment of your writing. This article was "Positive". DraftWrite also tells you which words you use the most. At this point, I've used the word "writing" 9 times! Use this to help weed out overused words, or to check if you are properly using your keywords. The readability and grade level of what you write, including explanations of what each readability score means
Nothing is One Size Fits All
With all that said, I don't mean to say that DraftWrite will fix all your problems. In fact, the creators at DraftWrite are just getting started on the journey to a better writing environment. However, the journey they embark on is starting a movement, and this is a great time to get involved. Already, I feel that this article was much easier to write using DraftWrite than with my usual word processor. I immediately knew key feedback with every word I wrote, like how easy my writing was to read. For example, by adding this counterargument paragraph, the article is now a casual writing style, (no longer persuasive), "Balanced and readable for a general audience".
You may come to DraftWrite and think "ah, well its missing margin controls, I'm too used to this other tool," but you would be missing out on what it can do for your writing style. Remember, your favorite word processor is built to style documents, not to improve your writing. DraftWrite will feel different, but you will find that it is much more useful for writing than its document styling predecessors.
Get Started with DraftWrite
There are several ways you can start using DraftWrite today to improve your writing, no matter the format. Here are some of my favorites:
- Copy your essay into DraftWrite to check its readability, style, and pinpoint unnecessary clutter words with the automatic highlighters
- Use DraftWrite to edit your writing until it matches the readability you want
- Check your keyword density to see how your SEO stands
- Use the sentence variance map to check the flow of your writing. If it looks like a rollercoaster, that's a good thing. You don't want a long monotone article
- check the text analysis card for the estimated reading time of your article, and put that at the top for your readers
Since DraftWrite is still under development, there will be new features and updates on the way. Hop in today, see how it can help you write at draftwrite.app
