Category: writing advice

1. You are not your audience. Perhaps you become jumbled in jargon when you write and focus more on how you think you should sound. Talk about your article with a friend and record it or have someone take notes during the conversation. Apps, such as Dragon Dictation and iPhone’s Notes, can transcribe for you — these methods can humanize your writing.

2. Write to a friend (or pretend to). Some of us are self-conscious about being recorded.

3. Keep a journal. Some of my best, most open writing occurs when I jot in my journal. It’s like I’m talking to a therapist or a friend. It’s a great way to practice writing and to relax, and your words will flow more freely.

4. Read your writing aloud in a flat voice. Printing a copy helps. Sometimes what we see on-screen doesn’t match the printed page. Note any corrections or additions. Our ears can catch things our eyes don’t.

5. Let someone else read. If you’re open to constructive criticism, let a trusted friend or loved one read your writing. Another set of eyes can help you see more clearly.

Quotes

Incomprehensible jargon is the hallmark of a profession. ~ Kingman Brewster, Jr.

Even to a writer who is being intentionally obscure or wild of tongue we can say, ‘Be obscure clearly! Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand!’ Even to writers of market letters, telling us (but not telling us) which securities are promising, we can say, ‘Be cagey plainly! Be elliptical in a straightforward fashion!’ ~ William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White, The Elements of Style.

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com

1. Assist — This word has positive connotations — its popularity isn’t surprising. It sounds a little stuffy, though. It’s good to keep it in your vocabulary, but alternate it with shorter and sweeter “aid,” “serve,” or “help,” depending on the meaning of the sentence and how it reads.

2. Utilize — It’s a little complex for plain English. As “Grammar Girl” Mignon Fogarty has said, “‘Utilize’ has some specific, appropriate uses. Biological organisms are properly said to ‘utilize’ nutrients. If you’re a general writer, however, it’s usually best to stick with ‘use.'”

3. Implement — It sounds important, and depending on its use as a noun or a verb, it can be hard to visualize its meaning. It’s not a verb for the lazy; it’s often used to mean “to put into use” or “to complete,” in the sense that a business has met a goal. So, for variety, “perform,” “complete,” “finish,” or if you’re not too harsh, “execute.”

4. Establish — It has its place. Sometimes “found,” in the sense that someone starts something, such as a business, works better.

5. Accomplish — Another lofty word, the simpler alternative, “achieve,” can also show results.

Quotes

“People who work in specialized fields seem to have their own language. Practitioners develop a shorthand to communicate among themselves. The jargon can almost sound like a foreign language.” ~ Barry Ritholtz

“There are two rules to good communication — say what you mean and mean what you say.” ~ Tim Phillips, Talk Normal: Stop the Business Speak, Jargon and Waffle

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com

1. Over-capitalization — Sometimes business owners capitalize the first letter of every word in their copy, with the idea that it will get more attention. Not every word in your marketing materials should be or needs to be capitalized. Keep the caps for proper names, job titles, etc.

2. You or I — If you refer more to yourself and your services in your materials than to your customers and their needs, think again. Rephrase those passages with more “you” references and emphasize how your products or services benefit your customers.

Example: Let’s connect, so I will give a quick overview of what I do.
Revised: Let’s discuss how Theracare can relieve your pain and get you back on your feet again. Call 555-867-5309 today.

3. Mismatched words — Make sure singular and plural words match. Otherwise, reading can become an awkward experience.

Example: Do you have old postcards stored away and want to do something with them? It could be mementos from people you know and places you’ve been.
Revised: Do you have old postcards stored away and want to do something with them? They could be mementos from people you know and places you’ve been.

4. Punk-tuation — Do you use question marks when you ask a question. Maybe you just love to add exclamation points for excitement! Perhaps apostrophes are they’re, but there in the wrong places. These are some of the most distracting punctuation errors, as you’ve probably just noticed.

5. Redundancy — Cut unnecessary words.

Example: Please RSVP.
Revised: RSVP.

You’ll often see it on invitations. RSVP is an acronym for the French phrase “répondez s’il vous plaît,” which means “respond if you please.” Those of us who truly find French a foreign language might not know what it means, and if you often see the acronym only, you can easily forget the meaning.

Quotes

“If your ad is peppered with misspellings and grammatical errors, not only will it make the description difficult to read, the buyer might wonder if the seller is as lazy about the way she cares for and packs her items as she is about grammar and spelling.” ~ Dawn and Bobby Reno, The Unofficial Guide to eBay and Online Auctions

“Spelling is the clothing of words, their outward visible sign, and even those who favour sweatpants in everyday life like to make a bella figura, as the Italians say –- a good impression –- in their prose.” ~ Mary Norris, Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
Classy Writing
207.332.8379
classywriting.com