Jan 20, 2016 / Inspiration

Keep It Simple

Streamline your writing style by keeping your language simple and placing your story center stage.

One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple. — Jack Kerouac

As writers, words are our tools. The goal of any story, essay, or poem is to express something to the reader. If we choose words that are flimsy and vague, the story loses its potency. By cultivating a strong, sturdy vocabulary upon which we can build our tales, we make our voices that much more powerful.

Years ago, an English teacher of mine asked us to compare two sentences:

I’m thirsty.

I thirst.

Which, he asked, was more gripping for readers? The entire class agreed that I thirst carried with it a sense of urgency and desperation. I’m thirsty meant the same thing, but it didn’t draw such a clear picture. By removing filler words and flowery language — as much as I’m a lover of floral embellishments in my own writing — the meaning of each statement is expressed in a way that is that much more clear and precise to the reader.

For inspiration this week, simplify. Crack out the (virtual) red pen and remove any extraneous language from your post. With each sentence, ask yourself: what would make it stronger? Apply a philosophy of minimalism to your language, whether it’s in a poem, essay, or personal blog post. Cut away the overgrowth and show us the heart of your message.

How do you go about streamlining your sentences? Are there any fillers you especially try to avoid?What tips do you have for editing and cutting down on embellishments?

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  1. I need to heed this advice. I tend to be long-winded. I believe this is true, but sometimes the poet in my must have the flowery images and embellishments. I think it all depends on the message we are trying to send and the audience to which we are sending it.

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  2. Thanks for this post. My writing style has always been pretty straight forward. I illustrate, but I never want to take away from what I want my audience to truly feel or express. I don’t like to write very long articles, stories, or forms of poetry, unless every bit of what I am saying has true value.

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  6. This was great advice. I am just now starting my first blog and sometimes I feel as if the words just run away with me. I really enjoyed reading this and will apply what I have read to my writing.

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  7. One of great tips I heard was:
    If opposite adjective makes no sense, you should remove adjective.

    Of course, this was from a writer who writes on my native language. I guess it applies in any language.
    Although I use English every day, I found myself very insecure about writing a blog in English. If you would check out my blog and give an opinion, I would really appreciate it 🙂

    https://meeticeland.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I don’t blog much as I used to but I writ. One thing that’s been quite helpful at the end of your work z (chapter or a blog) go trough it and eliminate all “the”

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  9. I don’t blog much as I used to but I write. One thing that’s been quite helpful at the end of your work (chapter or a blog) go trough it as you edit and eliminate all “the”. You will be stunned how much clarity this technique could bring to your work.:)

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      2. Oh really? Yeah they are such cool styles that sticks with you. Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog, just been on yours and it’s coming together really nicely! Love your vivid thoughts. Good luck with year 9 also, coincidentally we both live in the same city haha

        Liked by 1 person

  14. SimpleSimplicity ? SimpleSimplicity ? I’m really interested writing short stories always . But the problem is that i study French and love writing in English . Simple and Simplicity gave me some sort of ideas on how too and clues of good writing .

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  16. I love the idea of simplicity. We as writers often can rely on similar words and phrases. It’s great to elevate the awareness of the impact out words have upon the reader.

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  20. This is an especially useful and succinct article. Practices what it preaches then. The trick is knowing when to keep it short and when to add a bit of floral embellishment.

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  23. Often, sentence structure can tighten a sentence with the use of colons, semi-colons and dashes, though sparingly is the key. Varying sentence length is also a player. Overuse of certain words dot my first drafts: than, that, as, like, the, he, she, them. Revision strikes a blow against sameness; my writing improves per the delete key.

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  24. Am I the only one who thinks ‘I am thirsty. ” is better than ‘I thirst.” ?
    For a reader, especially for ESL students, “thirst” might mean a new word. Thirsty, however, is more common. Readable word in general.
    I thirst, would be great for poetry. 🙂

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    1. Thank you Gilian, for pointing out that language changes with use and that blogging can and does include all those styles and uses. The authentic voice might develop over many years! I used to teach academic English among many other things and it does have its place. I thirst for uniqueness and ingenuity and I am thirsty for awareness in every word.

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  26. By sheer coincidence, I made a super simple post this morning that was unintentionally free of extra words. Actually, there was a challenge to keep it short, but I hadn’t read this post prior. This post does bring back memories of high school composition, with the stern reminder to be concise, whenever possible.

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  28. From adverb to verb a writer can often quicken the reader’s pace if especially reading something that denotes a fast, frenzied, frantic response. It can feel as if a reader is racing to the end of that sentence or page, to get there faster, with fewer unimportant or necessary words by using more verb sense.

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