Good writing boils down to some basics. When I spoke
to the Cooperative Communicators Association recently, I shared my “Top 10 Tips to
Communicate More Effectively,” which include:
1. Communicate
a clear theme. I like Kurt
Vonnegut’s rule of thumb: if you can’t explain your idea to a 12-year-old in a
few sentences, you don’t really understand it yourself. Invest the time to clarify
what you want to say. Good writing
crystalizes your thinking.
3.
Use the 10%
solution. Most
of the time, fewer words mean more power. This pays off in
articles, advertisements, social media posts, and more. Eliminate “very.”
Avoid “ly” words e.g. “He walked slowly into the room” or “He
shuffled into the room.”
4.
“Said”
is good. Don’t be afraid to use it—it’s meant to be invisible and not break
the flow of the writing. Don’t feel pressured to add more
creativity by coming up with words like “exclaimed,” “gushed,” etc.
5. Aim
for active voice, not passive voice. Passive
is dull and will cripple your writing. Active voice
involves readers’ senses more directly and pulls them in. “The contract was signed by John” is as accurate as “John signed the
contract,” but the second version is clearer and reads faster.
6. Avoid
wishy-washy words. Beware of using “very,”
“nice,” and other non-descriptive words. Deepen the adjectives to convey your
message more precisely.
7. Use
simple words when possible. Skip the
jargon, and use simpler words for clear communication. “Ion” often occurs as the last syllable in long words that may not be the
best word for the situation. For example, replace “intoxication” with “drunk,”
and “rationalization” with “excuse.”
8.
Incorporate rhythm into your writing.
Mix up short and long sentences. For example: “The farmers of Prince Edward Island
are starting to plant soybeans. Lots of soybeans.”
9. Cut
adverbs and add action verbs. Adverbs
are rarely the most accurate word to express what you want to say. Powerful action verbs propel the reader through your
story. Instead of “she spoke loudly,” try “she shouted” or
“she bellowed.”
10. Localize
and personalize your writing. Instead
of speaking in generalities, good writing portrays a specific place and puts
facts in context. Include relevant details that help tell the story.
Finally, remember the
words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “It is not enough to write so you can be
understood. You must write so clearly that you cannot be misunderstood.”
Grease 12
regular-sized muffin cups. Mix butter and brown sugar; spoon 1 tablespoon of
mixture into each muffin cup.
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