Effective Communication: How to Simplify Your Writing
As writers, we tend to think that more is more:
More words = better explanation
More exclamation points = emphasis
More detail = clearer connection
And while these things aren’t bad (except the exclamation points… don’t do that), more isn’t always better. CLEARER is better.
So here are a few tips to help you bring clarity to your writing:
Don’t over-explain the jargon - If there are any words that may be unfamiliar to the average person but are important to your text, explain them. But don’t over-explain. One sentence should suffice. Maybe include one example of it if that would help the reader gain understanding (ask someone who may not know the term to see if an example would be helpful).
Use active voice - You probably heard your elementary English teacher say this plenty of times, and it’s for a good reason. Active voice is stronger. Check out this video for a more detailed look at active vs. passive voice.
Notice the differences between the written and spoken word - I see this a lot with my clients. They write a sentence or paragraph as if they were speaking or telling a story aloud. Many times, I can imagine them saying the words, which is great for writer’s voice! But sometimes it doesn’t translate as well to the written word. Using more words to explain something aloud is more widely accepted because it’s how we naturally talk. But the written word gives us more time and space to choose those words strategically. HINT: Read your work aloud. This will help you hear the differences.
Ask yourself: Is the reader still engaged? - Sometimes we can get off on tangents or bunny trails in our writing, especially if the topic or story is meaningful to us. But it’s important to take a step back and see this from the reader’s perspective. Take a look at your target market and put yourself in their shoes; are the details key to the overall point of the story? Does this help the reader arrive at the destination? Does this give character to the piece that’s essential?
Conciseness shouldn’t happen at the expense of your unique voice as a writer, but these are some good exercises in self-editing that can move you closer to publishing!
If this is something you struggle with, we’ve all been there! As a writing coach, I can bring a different perspective and give you the tools and accountability that are necessary to complete your book! Click here to book a call so that we can chat about your project!
