Keep it short, sport

If time is money, NOT writing concisely costs business a bomb – things take longer to read, impact is lost, and the REAL message is often hidden. Say NO to waffle!

Here are five keys to keeping it short:

1. Use the “So what?” test. If a point you make isn’t completely relevant to readers, chop it.
2. Use plain English. “Never use a long word when an exiguous one will do.” Don’t try to impress readers; just be clear.
3. Use the “active voice,” which puts the “doer” before “what’s done.” It’s shorter and more direct. “The road was crossed by the chicken,” is passive. “The chicken crossed the road,” is active.
4. Edit ruthlessly. The French scholar Blaise Pascal wrote to a friend 300 years ago, saying, “Sorry I wrote such a long letter; I didn’t have time to write a short one.” Good writing is rewriting.
5. Never just write and send. Let your writing “sit” for a while (at least a few hours, if not days). You’ll then see shorter, sharper ways of saying things.

Put these into practice and your readers will love you for it!

What do YOU do to keep your writing short and waffle-free? Please let us know in a comment below…

Fat-free writing

Some words add instant girth to your writing and slow readers to a crawl. The problem? Noun* Addiction. Here’s what I mean [from Lunsford & Connors: The New St. Martin's Handbook]…

Too many nouns:
“The effect of the overuse of nouns in writing is the placing of excessive strain upon the inadequate number of verbs and resultant prevention of the flow of thought.”
[29 words]

Nouns changed to verbs:
“Using too many nouns in writing strains verbs and prevents the flow of thought.”
[14 words]

See how the second one is much clearer, and only half as long?

Look anywhere in corporate Australia, and you’ll see nouns not only lurking in people’s writing, but flagrantly flaunting their fleshy rumps.

What’s wrong with nouns? Nouns are things. They sit there lazily, doing nothing. Oh, they seem innocent, but be warned — use too many and your readers will beg for mercy…or press “delete.”

The solution? Verbs**. They’re actions. Something’s happening. It’s the difference between a photo and a movie. Nouns make your writing fat (long), boring and vague, while verbs keep it short and lively.

So…go the verbs!

Will you find this easy to apply? Please share your thoughts below…

* Noun: A thing, quality, place or person. E.g. car, happiness, neighbour.

** Verb: An action. E.g. run, think, drive.