How to Irritate Your Readers - 2 Things to Avoid
So often people write basically the way they speak.
That has its advantages - friendly, chatty, empathetic.
But it can also have its problems when used in non-fiction.
As writing has always been a more formal way of communication, some aspects of speaking don't transfer well into written language.
It can be very embarrassing to read a transcript of, say, a workshop presentation or a discussion.
Often sentences are incomplete or poorly structured.
It's successful when speaking because there are visual and auditory clues that help the listener understand the message.
However, when writing, those clues aren't present.
The writer has to compensate for that by using clear, precise words, and making the text as easy as possible for the reader - lessening the possibility of irritated readers who don't finish reading the document.
The first item that can be irritating for readers is the use of 'double-speak'.
That's when you say the same thing more than once.
In formal terms - using a tautology.
Because of the speed at which we speak, and the frequency with which tautologies are used, they're often not noticed.
But they can be quite noticeable - and possibly irritating - in written language.
So it's best to avoid tautologies unless you have a specific reason for them.
The second area is the use of cliches - you know those well-used phrases that we use simply because they're the latest buzz words or because they've been around for ever.
So how about 'Preventing disruption is our most important issue' instead of writing 'Our bottom line is preventing disruption'.
The readers' attention is immediately focused on what it is that is so important.
Your task as a writer is to get your message across so that your readers will take the action you're wanting them to.
So avoiding 'double-speak' and cliches can reduce the possiblitly of irritated readers who won't be responsive to your message.
For more tips on increasing the effectiveness of your non-fiction writing, visit www.
perfectpages.
net.
au
That has its advantages - friendly, chatty, empathetic.
But it can also have its problems when used in non-fiction.
As writing has always been a more formal way of communication, some aspects of speaking don't transfer well into written language.
It can be very embarrassing to read a transcript of, say, a workshop presentation or a discussion.
Often sentences are incomplete or poorly structured.
It's successful when speaking because there are visual and auditory clues that help the listener understand the message.
However, when writing, those clues aren't present.
The writer has to compensate for that by using clear, precise words, and making the text as easy as possible for the reader - lessening the possibility of irritated readers who don't finish reading the document.
The first item that can be irritating for readers is the use of 'double-speak'.
That's when you say the same thing more than once.
In formal terms - using a tautology.
Because of the speed at which we speak, and the frequency with which tautologies are used, they're often not noticed.
But they can be quite noticeable - and possibly irritating - in written language.
- free gift: can a gift be anything but free?
- extra bonus: a bonus is always something extra
- a choice of options
- unite together
- simultaneously at the same time
- continue on
- future predictions
- new innovations
- reduce down
- 5 am in the morning
So it's best to avoid tautologies unless you have a specific reason for them.
The second area is the use of cliches - you know those well-used phrases that we use simply because they're the latest buzz words or because they've been around for ever.
- window of opportunity
- move the goalposts
- bottom line
- the greatest thing since sliced bread
So how about 'Preventing disruption is our most important issue' instead of writing 'Our bottom line is preventing disruption'.
The readers' attention is immediately focused on what it is that is so important.
Your task as a writer is to get your message across so that your readers will take the action you're wanting them to.
So avoiding 'double-speak' and cliches can reduce the possiblitly of irritated readers who won't be responsive to your message.
For more tips on increasing the effectiveness of your non-fiction writing, visit www.
perfectpages.
net.
au
