Writing well gets you ahead of 94% of people in life.
But your English teacher failed you.
7 powerful lessons to turn you into a skilled writer:
But your English teacher failed you.
7 powerful lessons to turn you into a skilled writer:
1. Be specific
Specificity makes your claims 10x more believable.
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Lose weight → Lose 6lb in 9 weeks
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Broad is boring; specificity sells.
Specificity makes your claims 10x more believable.
Save more → Instantly save 34%
Lose weight → Lose 6lb in 9 weeks
Make money → Earn an extra $420 a month
Broad is boring; specificity sells.
2. Abolish adverbs
Don’t write: “The stove was very warm.”
Write: “The stove was hot.”
Don’t write: “He ran quickly.”
Write: “He sprinted.”
Skilled writers are concise with their words.
Don’t write: “The stove was very warm.”
Write: “The stove was hot.”
Don’t write: “He ran quickly.”
Write: “He sprinted.”
Skilled writers are concise with their words.
3. Use power words
Studies show, words that evoke emotion are more likely to be shared.
Tell me, what’s more engaging?
“I felt bad when he said my name.”
Or
“I cringed when he screamed my name.”
Use the website “Power Thesaurus” to transform boring words into powerful ones.
Studies show, words that evoke emotion are more likely to be shared.
Tell me, what’s more engaging?
“I felt bad when he said my name.”
Or
“I cringed when he screamed my name.”
Use the website “Power Thesaurus” to transform boring words into powerful ones.
4. Turn many words into dense ones
Once a day → daily
Hard to do → difficult
Something new → Novel
Made the choice → Chose
People you didn’t know → Strangers
Use the right words and you won’t waste words.
Once a day → daily
Hard to do → difficult
Something new → Novel
Made the choice → Chose
People you didn’t know → Strangers
Use the right words and you won’t waste words.
5. Show, don’t tell
Shorter isn't always better.
“He was nervous.”
vs.
“The man’s throat tightened as sweat trickled down his forehead.”
Longer? Yes.
But it’s easy to visualize, making it more engaging.
Shorter isn't always better.
“He was nervous.”
vs.
“The man’s throat tightened as sweat trickled down his forehead.”
Longer? Yes.
But it’s easy to visualize, making it more engaging.
6. Avoid passive voice
Your brain has to use more effort to understand passive voice.
Example:
“The book was read by the boy.”
Turns into:
“The boy read the book.”
See how it’s strong and concise now?
Your brain has to use more effort to understand passive voice.
Example:
“The book was read by the boy.”
Turns into:
“The boy read the book.”
See how it’s strong and concise now?
7. Delete “that”
Which sounds stronger?
“The word isn’t that descriptive.”
or
“The word isn’t descriptive.”
Always ask yourself what you can remove and still get your point across.
Which sounds stronger?
“The word isn’t that descriptive.”
or
“The word isn’t descriptive.”
Always ask yourself what you can remove and still get your point across.
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Follow me @WrongsToWrite
Let's summarize how to write well:
1. Be specific
2. Abolish adverbs
3. Use power words
4. Turn many words into dense ones
5. Show, don't tell
6. Avoid passive voice
7. Delete "that"
1. Be specific
2. Abolish adverbs
3. Use power words
4. Turn many words into dense ones
5. Show, don't tell
6. Avoid passive voice
7. Delete "that"
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