1) To learn effective structure, start with the Pyramid principle [1]. Some people have a natural sense of flow, others don't. I'm in the latter category. I find I need some kind of mental scaffolding, which the Pyramid Principle provides.
2) Jot down any interesting witticisms, jokes or turns-of-phrase that you come across. (I have Google Docs document that I've been stashing phrases in for years). Do not use this to embellish your writing -- that would be plagiarism -- but instead, use it as a archive of the writing style(s) you are partial to and as an aid to developing your own style.
3) Take a creative writing class and workshop your pieces. Real-life critique from peers can often help you discover strengths and weaknesses. Good feedback loops are key to getting better at any endeavor.
4) Edit edit edit. Compose a draft and let it sit. Read it out loud. Repeat until you are happy with it.
Eloquence is a outcome, not a skill. You cannot learn it directly. You can however learn the skills that lead to it.
It's a little bit like discipline. You can't set out to learn "discipline", but you can do things like dedicating yourself to practicing say, a musical instrument. Along the way, discipline emerges. It's a meta-skill.
Writing is an open-domain skill, and not everyone can be a great writer. However, most people can be decent technicians at writing. Some technicians may eventually become great writers.
2) Jot down any interesting witticisms, jokes or turns-of-phrase that you come across. (I have Google Docs document that I've been stashing phrases in for years). Do not use this to embellish your writing -- that would be plagiarism -- but instead, use it as a archive of the writing style(s) you are partial to and as an aid to developing your own style.
3) Take a creative writing class and workshop your pieces. Real-life critique from peers can often help you discover strengths and weaknesses. Good feedback loops are key to getting better at any endeavor.
4) Edit edit edit. Compose a draft and let it sit. Read it out loud. Repeat until you are happy with it.
Eloquence is a outcome, not a skill. You cannot learn it directly. You can however learn the skills that lead to it.
It's a little bit like discipline. You can't set out to learn "discipline", but you can do things like dedicating yourself to practicing say, a musical instrument. Along the way, discipline emerges. It's a meta-skill.
Writing is an open-domain skill, and not everyone can be a great writer. However, most people can be decent technicians at writing. Some technicians may eventually become great writers.
[1] https://medium.com/lessons-from-mckinsey/the-pyramid-princip...