Sometime back while surfing
the web, I came across an article in which the author started
out by asking, "Words, words, words. The dictionary is
packed with them. But do you have to use them all?"
Writing experts agree that most
of us need to improve our writing. We're using too many tired
and wordy expressions, such as attached herewith, pursuant
to your letter of ... , we are pleased to advise, in the event
that, at this point in time, as a result of, with reference
to ... and the list goes on and on.
Or on the other end of the spectrum,
many get caught up in today's trendy language and throw in
words like, crisis situation, infrastructure, mainstreaming,
modality, stonewalling, upwardly mobile, out-of-the-box.
Either way, the reader is the
one coming out on the short end.
Isn't it time to simply say
it? Get rid of unnecessary words. Leave out flowery phrases.
Clean out the "dead wood." Use words that are easily
understood.
Perhaps these admonitions are
best illustrated by the following example:
A youngster asked his teacher,
"When is the best time to see the moon?"
The teacher replied, "A
skilled envigilator can best observe the lunar surface in
that state of the earth's rotation during which the interference
of solar illumination is minimized."
Huh?
What might have been a better
way to answer the student? Perhaps something like, "Look
for the moon at night"?
Remember, everyone is in a hurry
today. People want immediate gratification. If your message
is filled with superfluous verbiage (too many unnecessary
words), it most likely won't get read. Say it simply! Your
readers will love you for it.
Nan Yielding has nearly 10 years experience as an online business owner. She is the owner of Writing-Etc.com and offers internet marketing services and assistance to help website owners attract more customers and increase sales.
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