Are You Too Wordy? (Revised)
Several years ago, on a different version of my website, I wrote a blog post titled Are You Too Wordy? Out of over 50 posts, it received the most attention, and here’s my theory: Most of us either know we are too wordy in our written or verbal communication or wonder if we are.
Can you relate? I’ve come a long way in this area of wordiness, but I know I can do better. This topic will always be pertinent, so here’s a fresh take on my original post…
One day my sister and I were talking about our verbal communication, specifically if and when we need to open our mouths when it comes to giving our opinion or adding our two cents to a conversation. She shared the acronym W.A.I.T. with me, which stands for Why Am I Talking? W.A.I.T. is a wise reminder to pause before we speak. Take a second. Think it over. “Will my words add anything positive or helpful to the conversation? Or are they likely to cause harm or confusion?” Depending on our answers, our next best action may be to zip it!
I don’t have a clever acronym to give you regarding words we choose to include (or not) when it comes to writing, but a similar reflection should take place if we want to write in ways that are clear, effective, thorough, yet concise, and meaningful. In the case of writing, W.A.I.T. translates to EDIT! No reader wants to plod through redundancy or wade through unnecessary detail. Most don’t have the patience for that. So, dear writer, edit and then edit some more. Whether we write fiction or nonfiction, an email or a newsletter, our goal should be to engage our readers, which will always require us to throw some words in the scrap pile.
Forgive me, but it means sometimes we must “kill our babies.” That, along with “murder your darlings,” is such an awful phrase. Yet both remind us to do away with whatever sentence, paragraph, or even chapter we may think is clever or beautiful but, in reality, doesn't enhance the story or article no matter how much we are attached to it. Does it advance the point we want to make or add anything of real value? No? Then, it must go! Keep it in a file on your desktop in case you can use it for something else, or print it out and hang it on your fridge but kill it in the piece you're writing.
In William Zinsser’s book, On Writing Well, he has wise things to say about slashing words and writing effectively. Here are some of my favorites, with my own commentary:
“...the secret to good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.” Simplify. For example, reduce your usage of adverbs and use a strong verb instead.
“Clear thinking becomes clear writing; one can’t exist without the other.” When you sit down to write, get your head in the game, and eliminate distractions so you can discern which words you should scrap.
“Writers must...constantly ask: what am I trying to say?” This is where the fiddling begins–slashing, rewording, reorganizing, and refining. Written communication, whether it’s storytelling or instructional, is no joke. It takes some serious thought, time, and attention. No one gets it right the first time!
So, friend, consider your words and what is necessary for you to communicate effectively. Consider your reader, too. When you do, your message will come through, and your writing will be enjoyed and appreciated. (And no one will wish they could just read it off CliffsNotes.com!)