Slenderize Your Writing in Only Minutes a Day
Most of us really don’t enjoy exercising that much; we just want to be skinny. It’s the same with writing… so much easier to bang out a thousand words on a blog when fifty would probably do. Elegant writing doesn’t just happen; it takes regular, concentrated effort. Here is an exercise you can do to make your writing leaner and more attractive.
The first time you do this one, it may be a challenge. Let’s get started…
- Write a three-page essay on an easy topic, like what you did on your summer vacation, how to change the oil in your car, or anything with a fair amount of detail that you don’t have to research.
- Rewrite your essay as one page, without leaving out a single idea. Don’t simply edit, start over.
- Now write it up as one paragraph of 5 lines, without leaving out a single idea.
- If you’re feeling ambitious, make it one sentence, without leaving out a single idea.
By now, you’re out of breath and sweating like crazy. When your heart stops racing, go back and read the first essay, then read the lone paragraph. Which one do you think people will be more likely to read?
The good news is that you don’t have to perform a major workout every time you sit down to write. Doing it once is usually painful enough that the memory of it causes you to think, “Is there a shorter way to say that?”
What did you write today? Spend a few minutes going back over it, taking out unnecessary words, thoughts redundant or irrelevant to the main point, anything that doesn’t absolutely have to be there. You’re on your way to scribal fitness.
Kim Phillips, owner of Lucid Marketing, is an independent marketing communications consultant. She provides clarity on writing, advertising, and social media in her lucid at random blog. Join her on Facebook.
Amen! I Love your opening! I just recently joined a gym because, well, just wanting to be skinny didn’t exactly make it happen.
Likewise, I love this exercise. I’ve done it before, way back when, but clearly I’m out of practice as I’ve become rather wordy with my writing. Thanks for the great exercise and wonderful suggestions!
Thanks, Eric! It was fun to write.
I was lucky that I became a journalist and learned how to minimize superlatives and use them for maximum effect and, more importantly, cut to the chase. Give the most important aspects in the most immediate way and get out.
I love this post! Gonna give this a shot on my next post. Keeping my posts as short as possible, while still maintaining the value has been on my mind lately … this gives me a way to practice. Thanks!