Get Out the Red Pen
Or, Utilizing Effectuated Methodologies (What?)
Kyla Cromer
Guest post by: Kyla Cromer
If what I see surfing around every day is any indication, many people have a hard time writing in a clean, clear way, especially for the web. There aren’t any tricks to it, but here are some key concepts I try to use:
- First things first. Decide what to say and make the most important points first, in case your reader gets bored or distracted and wanders off mid-read. We all do it.
- Prepare for scanning. An oldie but goodie: use subheadings, bullets, and numbered lists when you can, in case the reader is skimming. We all do that, too. (More on why we scan.)
- Cut ruthlessly. When reviewing a draft, imagine you’re a cranky, very impatient person – your great aunt Edna, say – and ask, “So what?” after reading each bit. If there isn’t a good answer, cut it.
- Think small. Don’t use big words when small ones will do. They slow things down and increase the likelihood your reader will go find something better to do. “Gigantic” is more evocative than “big,” but “utilize” isn’t better than “use.”
- Write what you know. Avoid words like “evocative” if you don’t know what they mean. There are many free dictionaries on the web.
- Keep it basic. Skip the trendy terms and expressions, like “planful,” or “that said.” They can have more than one meaning, or be just plain wrong. Some readers will stop to ponder, be confused, or even go look it up. Keep them with you!
All of these points assume you will take time to write a draft or two. Or three. Do it! If possible, have someone else read your draft, too. If you can’t do that, take a long break – preferably overnight – and you’ll likely notice things that are unclear or unnecessary, and catch a mistake or two.
Last, notice I said, “key concepts I try to use.” Don’t drive yourself crazy – or someone writing for you – chasing perfection. One can’t effectuate that no matter what methodology is utilized.
Garbled Grammar Contest
Contest time
[Update! Congratulations to Michael, who won the drawing for a free consultation from communications consultant Kyla Cromer. The contest may be over, but you're still welcome to keep sending your favorite pet peeves. It just feels good to vent.]
Need help with your copy? You can win a free clear-writing or site-review consultation as part of Talance’s Customer Appreciation Month, courtesy of writing and online communications consultant Kyla Cromer. Just add your favorite grammar pet peeve (sentences that end in prepositions, anyone?) to the comments below, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win.
Note: You can pick up more tips on terrible writing with our 10 Horrid Words contest, where you can win a signed copy of the excellent book Content Rules, written by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman.
Deadline for entries is January 2, 2012. We’ll pick one winner at random from all entries on January 3, 2012 and will notify the winner via e-mail. You must leave your name and a correct e-mail address to qualify.
BY KYLA CROMER
Kyla Cromer is a writer and editor who works on projects on and off the web, uses various types of social media, blogging and web content management platforms, and offers website consulting. She also provides tech support house calls for little old ladies in her neighborhood. Reach Kyla through KylaCromer.com, Twitter @kylacromer, LinkedIn or by emailing kyla@kylacromer.com.
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Tags: Content, copy, customer appreciation, guest post, kyla, kyla cromer, writing
December 2nd, 2011 at 11:42 am
Here’s a topic that can take up the better part of a day. My top grammatical pet peeve: “utilize” instead of “use.” What’s yours?
December 2nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I have 2 peeves: Somehow “I couldn’t care less” has become “I could care less.” Maybe it’s the sarcastic interpretation? But I have no idea how “You’re welcome” appears as “Your welcome.” It is typed incorrectly more than it is typed correctly.
December 2nd, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Coming from a public health background my BIGGEST pet peeve is the use of the word preventative instead of preventive. We help prevent public health disasters; maybe anarchists preventa public health disasters!
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Nice ones. Those also get under my skin. I’ve always wondered at logic behind the “care less” issue. I’ve heard it both ways so many times, they both seem correct.
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:17 pm
How interesting! I never really considered industry-specific grammar gaffes. You’ve just launched your own public health bad grammar prevention campaign (preventative campaign?).
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Regarding “I could care less,” I honestly think people don’t know what they’re saying.
Michael, how about “You’re a good host. I appreciate your welcome.” Ha!
Ellen, clearly “preventative” is more important, because it has more syllables. Excuse me while I go wash my hands while singing the entire alphabet song….
December 6th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
so simple.
its/it’s
their/there/they’re/theyre
youre/your/you’re
you all know what i’m saying
December 6th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
You are to/too funny, Liz!
December 8th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Health in the UK is awash with TLAs (or longer), and aberrant apostrophes..both are particular peeves!
I checked on preventive/preventative & wonder if this may not be a US-UK linguistic difference, as the latter is given in Chambers (9th Ed). Definition is ‘tending to prevent or hinder, prophylactic’, and, wondrously, ‘concerned with the prevention of smuggling’ (hist).
December 8th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Good point, Zena. Most industries have many acronyms, and they forget to define them when writing for a broader audience.
December 8th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
A new one came to me yesterday when talking with someone: random and frequent “air quotes.” Sometimes they are “useful,” but not in “every” sentence! Eek!
December 9th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Hi Kyla,
I hope you’re doing well and getting ready for the Holidays!
Can you fill me in a little more about what you do and the services you provide?
This area is certainly not my strength. My wife, Diane, handles the website, LinkedIn, Facebook etc.
Doug
December 12th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Nice to hear from you Doug. I sent you an email, but I’ll answer here too, in case someone else would like more detail. I’ve helped with launching a new website, revamping old ones, writing and editing, blogging, online course set up – much of the time with my former customer service management perspective in mind. I’ve worked mostly with nonprofits and businesses that are too small to have the expertise in house. You have a special challenge being part of a franchise organization. Googling around it’s hard to get to you – try it if you haven’t lately.
I would first look at how to improve that, unless you and Diane had other priorities in mind. -Kyla
December 31st, 2011 at 1:44 pm
[...] If you want even more hand-holding, you should check out our grammar gaffes contest, where we’re giving away two hours’ free communications consultation with Kyla [...]
January 2nd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
“May I have a moment of your time” not much lasts one moment or does it?
January 2nd, 2012 at 5:41 pm
“Say what?” does it have a meaning?
January 2nd, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Good ones, Karla!