If you're applying for a job where a high level of writing skill, as well as the capability of thinking critically and being analytical, is required, the action verb 'wrote' is a perfect choice! This word allows employers to see that not only do you have an understanding of what they need done but also how they need it done.
While it's true that using 'wrote' repeatedly in resumes can be a turnoff to hiring managers, using synonyms can fix this issue. The first thing to remember is that writing with synonyms is not just about making your resume sound fancier—it's about creating a better flow.
Words to use on resume instead of 'wrote' includes 'authored,' 'documented,' or 'coded' These are all ways of saying that you are a skilled writer who is willing to take charge. You can also use words like 'edited' or 'revamped' if you were responsible for making changes to existing writing.
When you use synonyms, it makes your work sound more impressive because it shows that not only did you write something—you made changes that improved it!
I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Wrote on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).
Resume Synonyms for Wrote:
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Penned
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Conceived
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Outlined
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Composed
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Initiated
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Synthesized
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Engineered
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Delivered
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Structured
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Generated
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Scripted
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Elaborated
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Produced
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Orchestrated
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Purposed
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Assembled
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Carved
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Integrated
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Formatted
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Inscribed
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Authored
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Crafted
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Drafted
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Framed
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Recorded
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Transcribed
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Corresponded
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Formed
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Visualized
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Sketched
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Drew
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Programmed
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Updated
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Coded
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Calculated
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Remodeled
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Revamped
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Documented
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Presented
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Edited
How to replace Wrote with a stronger action verb:
Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Wrote, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.
Before: Weak example using Wrote• Wrote weekly email newsletters for company
⤸
After: Using a stronger synonym• Created weekly email newsletters that were sent out to over 291K subscribers; recorded 65% open rates, 57% click-throughs, and 3% unsubscription rates..
Before: Wrote• Wrote technical guides for software usage
⤸After: Penned• Penned comprehensive and user-friendly technical guides for the company's flagship software, resulting in a 35% reduction in customer support tickets.
To enhance the point, I chose the verb 'Penned' to give a sense of craftsmanship done by the individual. Secondly, the specific contribution and its impact on the business were made clear.
Tip: I've prepared a ton of additional examples for you to give you inspiration. Please click on any of the following to expand and see real examples of how I've rewritten client bullet points.
Before: Wrote• Wrote company blog posts
⤸After: Conceived• Conceived engaging company blog posts that boosted our website's SEO visibility by 85%, leading to a 40% increase in organic site traffic.
The change from 'Wrote' to 'Conceived' emphasizes creativity and strategic thought. I added specific impacts regarding SEO visibility and website traffic to show tangible results.
Before: Wrote• Wrote project proposals
⤸After: Outlined• Outlined compelling project proposals that attracted and secured $500K in additional funding for sustainability initiatives.
I used 'Outlined' to imply thoughtful and detailed work, and added a concrete amount of secured funding to highlight a specific achievement.
Before: Wrote• Wrote employee training manuals
⤸After: Composed• Composed comprehensive employee training manuals, cutting down onboarding time by 30% and increasing productivity by 25% in the first quarter.
By using 'Composed', this showcases more care and effort. Adding numbers regarding onboarding time and productivity provides solid evidence of effectiveness.
Before: Wrote• Wrote company newsletters
⤸After: Initiated• Initiated engaging and insightful company newsletters, receiving positive feedback from 95% of the employees and sparking lively discussions.
The term 'Initiated' implies a proactive approach. The addition of positive feedback metrics and sparks in discussions emphasizes direct impacts on company culture.
Before: Wrote• Wrote reports for the research division
⤸After: Synthesized• Synthesized complex data into accessible reports for the research division, helping influence decisions that led to a 15% efficiency improvement.
Using 'Synthesized' implies thoughtful analysis and simplification of complex data. The subsequent actions taken as a result of this work were also emphasized, indicating its value.
Before: Wrote• Wrote software scripts
⤸After: Engineered• Engineered robust software scripts that automated manual processes, leading to a 45% increase in team productivity.
The word 'Engineered' gives a more significant impact and shows careful designing and executing. Listing the impacts on productivity also offers a clear demonstration of value.
Before: Wrote• Wrote speeches for the CEO
⤸After: Delivered• Delivered powerful speeches for the CEO, driving 5 major business partnerships and boosting the company's market profile.
The word 'Delivered' adds more value, indicating not just creation but realization of objective. The results of these speeches were also specified, showing its effectiveness.
Before: Wrote• Wrote business plans
⤸After: Structured• Structured strategic business plans that accelerated company growth by 60% in the first year and attracted $2M in investor funding.
I chose 'Structured' to suggest a detailed and organized approach. Specifying the escalation of growth and attracted investments adds quantifiable impact.
Before: Wrote• Wrote funding proposals
⤸After: Generated• Generated comprehensive funding proposals that secured an excess of $1.5M for community outreach programs, benefitting over 10,000 individuals.
By using 'Generated', it adds a sense of initiative, and the impressive metrics of funding and benefits highlight the skills and achievements of the individual.
Before: Wrote• Wrote scripts for customer support
⤸After: Scripted• Scripted solution-oriented customer support dialogues that improved the satisfaction rate by 80% and reduced complaints by 50%.
In this case, 'Scripted' accurately describes the process and signals thoughtfulness. I included the impact on satisfaction rates and complaint reduction to demonstrate efficacy.
Before: Wrote• Wrote company policies
⤸After: Elaborated• Elaborated the set of comprehensive company policies that improved compliance by 35% and reduced procedural violations by 40%.
I've used 'Elaborated' to show the detail-oriented nature of policy drafting. The addition of metrics on improved compliance and reduced violation emphasizes the impact.
Before: Wrote• Wrote news articles
⤸After: Produced• Produced insightful and well-researched news articles which increased reader engagement by 80%, with 45% returning readers.
The choice of 'Produced' infers both quality and quantity. Adding metrics about reader engagement shows the real-world impact the individual had.
Before: Wrote• Wrote musical scores for the school orchestra
⤸After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated unique and engaging musical scores that led to the school orchestra winning three regional competitions.
'Orchestrated' is particularly fitting for this role as it also carries the sense of musical arrangement. By adding the specific impact - wins at competitions - we see the measurable effect of the individual's work.
Before: Wrote• Wrote business strategies
⤸After: Purposed• Purposed actionable business strategies, the implementation of which increased year-over-year company revenues by 32%.
'Purposed' suggests a more proactive, results-focused process. Incorporating the specific metric of a 32% increase in revenues quantifies the individual's impact on the company's success.
Before: Wrote• Wrote project briefs
⤸After: Assembled• Assembled detailed project briefs and action plans which sped up project launch times by 20%, considerably boosting efficiency.
Through the use of 'Assembled', it's clear that the individual took time to put together comprehensive briefs. Metrics on efficiency are included to illustrate the tangible outcome of their efforts.
Before: Wrote• Wrote novel manuscripts
⤸After: Carved• Carved out distinctive novel manuscripts that secured two publishing deals and topped local bestseller lists within 3 months of their release.
Choosing 'Carved' accentuates the meticulous craft of writing. Adding specifics about publishing deals and bestseller status helps to quantify the individual's skill and success.
Before: Wrote• Wrote pieces for the company newsletter
⤸After: Integrated• Integrated a fresh perspective into pieces for the company newsletter, leading to a 60% increase in readership and active conversations within the team.
'Integrated' implies the mindful blending of new ideas. Detailing the impact on readership and conversations brings clarity to the measured effect of the work.
Before: Wrote• Wrote job descriptions for HR recruitment
⤸After: Formatted• Formatted precise and compelling job descriptions that expedited the hiring process by 30%, filling vacancies in record time and boosting team productivity.
Using the term 'Formatted' underscores the care taken to present information appropriately. The effect on hiring times and productivity provides strong evidence of the value of the work done.
Before: Wrote• Wrote case studies for the marketing team
⤸After: Inscribed• Inscribed in-depth case studies that informed effective marketing campaigns, resulting in a 15% increase in lead generation and a 10% increase in customer conversions.
'Inscribed' offers a sense of meticulous and thoughtful work. I also included the impact this had on lead generation and conversions to highlight the individual's contribution to business success.
How to use these synonyms in practice
We've put together an infographic to give you more examples of how to put this into practice. Note the use of strong action verbs instead of words like Wrote.
More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms
How to use Built on a resume:
• Built complete investment pitch books for 4 deals at advanced stages and liaised with 12 prospective international co-investors.
How to use Reduced on a resume:
• Reduced signup drop-offs from 65% to 15%, increased user-engagement by 40%, and boosted content generation by 15%, through a combination of user interviews and A/B-testing-driven product flow optimization.
How to use Designed on a resume:
• Designed and implemented 50+ E2E tests using Selenium & Protractor, simulating each user group's actions.
How to use Overhauled on a resume:
• Overhauled the obsolete legacy source code of two production applications, resulting in increased usability and reduced run time performance by 50%.
How to use Generated on a resume:
• Generated 12,000 unique users, 30,000 page views, and 2000+ newsletter signups in 3 weeks by successfully leveraging social media advertising (Facebook and Instagram).
How to use Analyzed on a resume:
• Analyzed impact and effectiveness of in-app UI changes on customer retention; identified features of customer behavior and recommended additional menu modifications [R, MySQL, Chart JS].
Frequently Asked Questions
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