The Arabic language is a Semitic language that first emerged in the 1st to 4th centuries CE. It is now the lingua franca of the Arab world. It is named after the Arabs, a term initially used to describe peoples living in the Arabian Peninsula bounded by eastern Egypt in the west, Mesopotamia in the east, and the Anti-Lebanon mountains and Northern Syria in the north, as perceived by ancient Greek geographers The ISO assigns language codes to thirty varieties of Arabic, including its standard form, Modern Standard Arabic, also referred to as Literary Arabic, which is modernized Classical Arabic.

Arabic is usually ranked among the top six of the world’s major languages. As the language of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, it is also widely used throughout the Muslim world. It belongs to the Semitic group of languages which also includes Hebrew and Amharic, the main language of Ethiopia.

Now in this blog, we will discuss tips to improve your writing skills in Arabic.

1. Read.. a lot!

Reading Arabic content is a prerequisite to good Arabic writing. To be able to generate output (write), you will need to be exposed to a good amount and quality of Arabic reading (input) at a regular frequency. 

Picking up a routine of reading Arabic content that is within your level or slightly above it will enrich your vocabulary. 

Suitable reading material is any content you can read and understand 80% of it. Anything less than that is a little too advanced for you at the current stage. To develop Arabic reading skills, make sure you read this article.

 

2. Add the Arabic keyboard on your devices

In addition to practicing writing on a notepad the traditional way, it is equally important to add an Arabic keyboard on your phone and electronic devices. 

If you have not done it yet, use this detailed tutorial to add the Arabic keyboard to your iPhone and other devices.

While handwriting will give you a kinetic experience in learning how to connect the letters together, the Arabic keyboard will provide you with a convenient way to practice Arabic composition.

You can use your phone’s Arabic keyboard to type a casual short text message or a newly encountered term or type up a small paragraph during your daily commute or lunch break. 

 

3. Mimic writings you like.

There is a huge lack of tested strategies in teaching Arabic writing. In the Arab world, dictation or orthography was almost the only writing exercise taught in grade schools in the Arab world. 

The composition was never drilled as methodologically as it is in French or English, except for the traditional breakdown of the introduction, body, and conclusion. 

This means you will have to be proactive in learning how to write in Arabic. You will need to select your favorite writing style or author(s) and try to emulate it and hone that skillset as you go. 

 

4. Adopt the multiple drafts approach.

If you are learning Arabic in a classroom setting and you are not being challenged to write in Arabic, you should raise the issue with your instructor and politely ask for the opportunity to produce writing essays.

Ideally, the teacher will adapt the multiple drafts method. You submit your first draft, and the instructor would return it to you with comments on points that need improvement or more elaboration until you submit your third and final draft. 

This method prevents you from procrastinating and allows you to display your early thinking and analysis, which could disappear if you wait until the last minute to submit a rushed write-up.

 

5. Incorporate the terminology and rules you learned.

Take everything you learn about Arabic as parts of a whole, and always think of the larger picture which eventually revolves around communicating effectively in Arabic. 

As you learn new grammar rules and memorize new vocabulary from reading and listening to Arabic content, make a deliberate effort to put everything you learn into practice. 

Incorporate in your writing a nice phrase or idiom you picked up recently and recall the grammatical and spelling rules you have been learning. 

 

6. Consider your audience.

One thing about the Arab culture is that formalities and hierarchy are important, and the use of the Arabic language in communication mirrors that. Therefore, it is very important to consider your audience as you attempt to write a letter, an email, or even a text message. 

If you are writing a formal letter or communique, you want to make sure you refer to the person you are addressing in the second person plural. Not only does it show that you respect the other party, but it also demonstrates that you know enough about the culture to use the proper form.

You also want to use a bit of flowery and deferential style as you address government employees and highly placed people. 

 

7. Write regularly and solicit feedback.

The ideal frequency of writing practice is to do a little bit every day over a long period of time instead of intense irregular sessions. 

Three or four short writing sessions a week are more effective than a three-hour session once a week.

Make sure you ask for feedback on your Arabic speaking proficiency from qualified individuals, such as your instructor, educated native speakers, and even supportive peers who are familiar with your learning track.

Asking for feedback also means that you should take it as an opportunity to develop and improve without dwelling on your shortcomings.

 

8. Build a repertoire of useful verbs, descriptions, and conjunctions

You may find that you have a tendency to selectively pick your vocabulary based on what you find easy, difficult or cool or even fun to the ear.  

Although this is not a very bad habit, you want to make sure you are intentional in collecting the vocabulary that will help with your conversational needs. 

Make an effort to be deliberate in picking up functional verbs, phrases, adjectives, and linking words that will help you with telling a story, describing a person, comparing ideas, or making a conclusion.

 

9. Plan ahead and use and outline

For writing structure and planning, you can use the traditional writing methods. Start with general ideas and work your way into the small details. 

Jot down your main ideas and start with your subheadings first. This will help you remain organized and focused on your topic. 

Remember that language is just a tool to convey meanings and ideas. Once you establish an outline to organize your main points and subheadings, you start using your vocabulary and own style to translate the ideas into words. 

 

10. Don’t be afraid of writing

Enjoy your status as a foreign language student and write without fear or anxiety of being judged. Expectations from you as a language student are not as high as what’s expected of you in your native language. 

Be bold and borrow a thick skin if you don’t have one. Try to write using your own style while you maintain good grammar, spelling, and proper form.

And, finally, remember that improvement takes practice, So keep writing.

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