10 Nov Top 10 Traps for Writers and How to Avoid Them
A lot of writing problems come across the WordCaddy desk. Often these are down to some common traps. If you can recognise and avoid these traps, the effectiveness of your writing will increase instantly.
See how many of our Top 10 Traps you recognise!
1. The Vocabulary Trap
e.g. We had to seek alternate means of getting to the venue.
Wrong. This is not what “alternate” means. The correct word would be “alternative”. This is just one of many pairs of words that writers commonly confuse. Be sure you’ve got your words right!
2. The Spelling Trap
e.g. He was the Labour candidate for the seat.
Wrong. Spellchecking isn’t enough; it won’t pick up mistakes like this one. To really do the job you will need a human brain that understands context.
3. The Punctuation Trap
e.g. The names on the list included; Beth, Anna, Sheridan and Chloe.
Wrong. This construct calls for a colon, not a semi-colon. Many people try to use punctuation as a garnish (a pinch here, a pinch there) without understanding what it’s for. Punctuation is, in fact, the written code for pauses and inflexions in speech, and is required to avoid ambiguity and misunderstanding. Learn the code so that you know what to use when!
4. The Grammar Trap
e.g. As for my wife and I, we will be taking the ferry.
Wrong. It might sound better than “As for my wife and me”, but it just isn’t right. Simply sounding good to your ear doesn’t make it correct. And if it’s not correct, it will be a distraction to discerning readers. If writing is important to you, then acquiring the basics of grammar will be a good investment.
5. The Cliché Trap
e.g. I will reach out to them tomorrow.
No. Please don’t! There’s a fine line between “contemporary vernacular” and “nouveau cliché”. All clichés need to be used with care. Trendy clichés are best left out altogether.
6. The Verbosity Trap
e.g. After taking the various different factors into consideration we were able to arrive at the collaborative consensus decision to accept the conclusion proposed ultimately by the report.
Way too much! Verbose writing doesn’t work. Use qualifying words (adjectives, adverbs) to add meaning, or (only sparingly) for emphasis. If they don’t add value, leave them out.
7. The Purple Prose Trap
e.g. The hilariously laughter-packed party had drawn to an end, leaving no trace of the former hilarity. The crisp morning had dawned magnificently fresh and bright, bringing the promise of a splendid new day, with spectacularly colourful spring flowers opening joyously toward the sun, resplendent in their silken robes of rosy pink, royal purple and sunny yellow. Former joyful party-goers, now downcast workers, were making their weary way to dingy offices, taking with them only the fond memory of companionable hours spent in excellent company together.
Verbosity on steroids. When you are tempted to wax lyrical and stray into purple prose, keep in mind that less is generally more.
8. The Jargon Trap
e.g. You will easily see from the EULA that this deployment mode is not supported by your OEM version of the OS.
What??!
Use jargon and acronyms only in the context of reducing waste words and making communications more efficient. Don’t be tempted to use them if your audience won’t understand them. Don’t be tempted to use them to sound clever. Don’t be tempted to use them as a smokescreen.
9. The Tone Trap
e.g. Here is a tester for our Champagne On Ice lipstick from our ultra-exclusive range of prestige designer makeup. Want a try? Knock yourself out.
Always know your subject matter and your target audience, and match your tone to this context.
10. The Formula Trap
e.g. Furiously they ran out of the ominous dark building. Breathlessly they jumped into his red sportscar. Resolutely Rob took the leather-bound steering wheel. Masterfully he drove through the deserted streets, until finally they arrived at their multi-story hotel.
Yawn ... Vary your sentence structure. Formulaic writing is a formula for sending your audience to sleep.
At WordCaddy we know the traps.
WordCaddy. In your own (best) words.
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