Writing Simply

If online readers can’t find what they need after seconds of skimming the content, then they will drop your article. They’ll find a different article that provides faster, clearer information. Online writing—generally speaking—is not the place to pull out SAT words and flowery language. Learn how to impress busy, impatient readers—not your high school English teacher—by writing simply.

Avoid Highbrow, Verbose Language

Readers are not interested in the fancy words you know. They are interested in easily understanding definitions, comparisons, and instructions without having a dictionary on hand. Pick terms or descriptive words that most people will understand. You don’t want your article to sound like a fifth grader’s creative writing assignment that had to incorporate new vocabulary words.

Luxurious hardwood flooring is diuturnal and stunning.

Vs.

Hardwood flooring is durable and beautiful.

Along those same lines, be choosy with your adverbs and adjectives. Use them sparingly. Readers want a precise description, not a paragraph of sensory overload. Too many modifiers can stilt the flow of an article. Choose strong nouns and verbs, and throw in modifiers when necessary for clarity.

Lately have you taken on the arduous, complicated decision of what gorgeous slats of wood to create your floor out of?

Vs.

Do you need to choose a type of hardwood flooring?

Don’t Complicate Your Sentences

Streamline your sentences. Simplicity and concision are clarity’s best friends. When readers navigate a lengthy sentence riddled with punctuation and long phrasing, they get frustrated and confused. You know to avoid passive voice, but analyze your sentence length, phrasing, and “to-be” verbs, too.

Not all your sentences need to be simple sentences—variety is important—but avoid sprawling sentences that span multiple lines. Readers understand and retain information better if they take frequent breaks (read: rest after the period) between sentences.

Also, cut and simplify clunky phrasing and complicated “to-be verbs.” Stilted phrases and verbs hinder the flow of an article. You don’t want your reader to have to reread or work out meaning. Their eyes should glide over your words with the confidence and comprehension of a precocious spelling bee champion.

When deciding if you should get dental implants, there is a lot of information and decisions to consider, and you should have taken the time to have analyzed and listed all your options, because dental implants can be expensive, and you never know what other options could help you better than dental implants.

Vs.

Weigh the pros and cons of dental implants. Implants are expensive, and other options could better suit your needs.

Be Classy with Your Word Count

Readers can spot filler words and filler information a mile away. They look for answers and advice, not 5 different sentences rewording the same idea. Don’t ramble or unnecessarily repeat your information. Use quality information and explanations to fill your word count instead of packing sentences with nonessential words.

The first thing that you will need to do is pick out your paint colors.

Vs.

First, choose your paint colors.

So cut out the fluff, use accessible vocabulary, and streamline your sentences. By packing every sentence and every word with meaning, your writing will not only be simpler, it will be more powerful.

How do you focus on writing simply?