If you can write well, you will go further. We all know this is true. If you are a student, you will score higher in school and university. If you are a writer, you will get your message across.
In one of my favorite books, The Loom of Language, Fredrick Bodmer reminds us:
“Good English, well spoken and well written will open more doors than a college degree. Poor English will close doors you didn’t even know existed.”
If you write poorly, your readers will have a difficult time following you.
If you confuse your readers, your message will suffer. Your business might suffer. Your readers will move on.
You need to simplify your writing. You must learn to write clearly.
There are many ways to do this.
One trick is to avoid writing in the passive voice. By choosing the active voice, you are forcing yourself to write clearly. You are bearing the burden. You do the heavy lifting. You are eliminating the work for your readers. Like a cook in the kitchen, you are sorting through the ingredients. You are building an enjoyable experience for your readers.
Here is the problem:
The American educational system has taken much from us. Most students do not even know the difference between the active and passive voice.
Help is on the way. If you want to become a better writer, there are many tools available these days.
A few weeks ago, I suggested you use the Grammarly app as you write. I use it every day.
Yesterday, I learned about another helpful tool.
The HemingwayApp editor will help you write clearly. You know that Ernest Hemingway had the reputation of writing concise, clear prose.
The HemingwayApp editor suggests that, you too, will write like Hemingway! I am not so sure about that.
I am, however, sure about this. The HemingwayApp editor will help you clear up your writing.
Happy Saturday!
Dwane
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Dwane Thomas’ Tip of the Week – July 25, 2015
