3. Avoid Vague Route Descriptions
Back in those days, we didn’t have satellite navigation; we had to ask people for directions. And most times, the direction given will be very confusing. Let’s compare two ways of descriptions:
- On getting to the third road, turn to the right. When you get to the second junction, take the road by the left
- After walking for about 500 meters, you will see a big shopping mall. Immediately after the mall, turn to the right. At the first junction, go straight down the road. When you get to the second junction, take the road on the left side.
The second description looks longer, but it is better and more detailed. It will be easier to remember when compared to the first one. Just in the same way, writing needs to be clear and detailed.
- Think in pictures: Avoid the use of generic description and abstract terms
- Add Examples: Adding short stories, examples will make the content more understandable
- Try a metaphor: You can use metaphors to also increase the clarity of your content.
Join the Discussion
BrendaMZ
Premium Plus
Hi Israel, good points on your training about writing for clarity. For some who have trouble with writing can benefit from using a software tool. Grammarly or Hemingway Editor. I love Hemingway Editor. That software helps to make my sentences shorter and tightly wrapped. Both softwares gives me the best writing for clarity.
I appreciate the pointers you mentioned in this training. I would digress on the use of metaphors. Metaphors can also be misunderstood especially if readers have limited use of the English language.
I write in simple terms to help the reader understand the basic concepts. The use of infographics or videos for people like me who are Deaf and rely on the use of visual images to help understand. Like you stated, write in a pictorial format.
Great training!
I appreciate the pointers you mentioned in this training. I would digress on the use of metaphors. Metaphors can also be misunderstood especially if readers have limited use of the English language.
I write in simple terms to help the reader understand the basic concepts. The use of infographics or videos for people like me who are Deaf and rely on the use of visual images to help understand. Like you stated, write in a pictorial format.
Great training!
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jghwebbrand
Premium
Thank you. It was nice to see this in writing. A lot of those things I have done for a long time, but did them because I don't like reading something that is hard to follow.
It seems like mobile device users make it hard on content writers because of screen size, speed and impatience. Therefore implementing your ideas is great.
It seems like mobile device users make it hard on content writers because of screen size, speed and impatience. Therefore implementing your ideas is great.
Israel17
Premium
Most welcome onboard, Ibrahim73! Thanks for reading my training! Glad you appreciated it! Clarity is important in content and that's what this training focuses on.
Israel Olatunji
Israel Olatunji
Claudiojuan
Premium
Spectacular training Israel. Always write looking for simple words so that people understand the message better.
Many times in my case I ended up abandoning many readings because the truth is I do not understand the message.
Thanks for sharing!
Many times in my case I ended up abandoning many readings because the truth is I do not understand the message.
Thanks for sharing!
Israel17
Premium
Thanks for finding this tutorial useful, Claudio! Much appreciated! Yes, most readers aren't that patient to spend time trying to get your content clear to them. Once it sounds so boring to them, they click away without hesitating.
Israel Olatunji
Israel Olatunji
