Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,150,771 members, 7,809,978 topics. Date: Friday, 26 April 2024 at 06:06 PM

10 Words To Cut From Your Writing (part 2) - Literature - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Literature / 10 Words To Cut From Your Writing (part 2) (651 Views)

Top 10 Sources Of Inspiration For Creative Writing (part 1) / 10 Words To Cut From Your Writing / Rearrange These Jumbled Words To Make Meaningful Sentences (2) (3) (4)

(1)

10 Words To Cut From Your Writing (part 2) by TRWConsult(m): 12:02pm On Oct 21, 2013
by Shanna Mallon

6. Amazing: The meaning of "amazing" is causing great wonder or surprise--but some writers use the word so often that the meaning gets lost. How can something be amazing if everything is? Ditch this diluted word.

7. Literally: When something is true in a literal sense, you don't have to add the word "literally." The only reason it makes sense to use the word is when it clarifies meaning (i.e., to explain you aren't joking when it seems you are).

8. Stuff: Unless you are aiming at informality, don't use the word "stuff." It's casual, it's generic, and it usually stands in for something better.

9. Things: Writers use the word "things" to avoid using a clearer, more specific word that would communicate more meaning. Be specific. Don't tell us about the "10 things," tell us about the "10 books" or "10 strategies." Specificity makes for better writing.

10. Got: Think of all the ways we use the vague word "got" in conversation: "I've got to go," "I got a ball," or "I got up this morning." Though it's fine for conversation, in writing, "got" misses valuable opportunities. Rather than writing a lazy word, look for clearer, more descriptive language: "I promised I'd leave by 9," "I picked up a ball," or "I woke up today," for example.

Whether you've been writing for a few days or for many years, you'll benefit from evaluating the words you use. Cut the filler to make your writing stronger.
Re: 10 Words To Cut From Your Writing (part 2) by Obinnau(m): 12:05pm On Oct 21, 2013

(1)

Civil Service, Evil Servants / Buy Watch At Konga At Cheaper Rate / Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Nominated For Grammyaward With Beyonce

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 14
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.