Write it so they’ll Read it.
/We don’t write much these days, do we? (Well, that is, perhaps you don’t write much; I write all the time – can’t help myself!) But we’re in the digital world, reading brief text messages from our watches, able to call and speak to anyone anywhere at any time, listening to podcasts and audio books... We just don’t often use the fine art of carefully crafted written sentences – until we have to... until it really matters, and then we’re out of practice, awkward and confused, just when we need to write something powerful, effective – and concise (because people don’t read a lot of words anymore either, do they?).
So, you’re reading this – but only for a few minutes, and then I’ll lose you, right? I have to be brief and to the point. So, my friend, here are 3 quick tips for making your writing as effective as possible in as few words as possible (because that’s all your reader is going to read).
If you do nothing else, reread your writing: self-edit. I have considered myself a writing professional for 50 years, and yet I rarely write an email that doesn’t contain a typo or a stupid, embarrassing mistake. And self-editing is not just for the purpose of correcting mistakes. It’s the method by which you employ the next two steps, shortening your text, making your sentences more direct and powerful – and therefore more likely to be read in full. So, when you go back and review your writing, check first for these two fundamental strengths:
Never start a sentence with the “There is” or “There was” or “There will be,” and so on. Such an opener does not render your sentence ungrammatical, but it wastes words. When you refuse to lean on those lame, meaningless openers, you’re forced to write more direct, impactful sentences, using meaningful words. Let me give you just a few examples:
There were 10,000 troops in those trenches, ready to fight. Replace “there were” with meaningful nouns and verbs and adjectives: Those trenches concealed 10,000 troops, itching to fight. In those trenches, 10,000 troops stood ready for battle. Ten thousand troops lay in those trenches, ready to fight.
There are eight good reasons not to take that drug. Replace “there are” with meaningful nouns and verbs: Eight negative outcomes suggest you should avoid that drug. Don’t take this drug – for eight very good reasons. For eight good reasons, you should avoid this drug.
There will be big problems if you continue down that path. Replace “there will be” with meaningful nouns and verbs: You’ll face considerable push-back if you continue down that path. Big problems will erupt if you continue down that path. That plan of action is going to cause you serious pain.
Always choose the most precise verb in any sentence; it’s the most important word, and worth some reconsideration. This complements the lesson above. For example:
Dozens of citizens spoke at the meeting, asking for policy changes.
Dozens of citizens took the mic, demanding policy changes.
Dozens of citizens expressed their fury about the policies.
Dozens of citizens loudly demanded changes to the policies.
I walked from one store to another, hoping to finally find that great deal.
I dragged myself from store to store, hoping to find that great deal.
From one store to another I stumbled, hoping to find that great deal.
I marched from store to store in search of that great deal.
Well, there you have a few simple ways to improve your writing. If you employ just these three simple steps regularly, you’ll enhance your ability to convey more meaning in crisp, direct sentences that might hold your readers’ attention.