Declutter Your Writing

March 25, 2019 by AES | Categories: Writing No Comments ↓

There’s a current vogue about tidying up and decluttering one’s home or life. But sometimes, writers also need to do some decluttering to make reading easier on their audience.

What is writing clutter?

Clutter happens when writers use phrases, sentences, paragraphs, etc. that don’t add value to a story or message. Decluttering your text means saying only what’s necessary to convey your message. The more concise you are, the easier it will be for your readers to get it.

Some clutter issues to avoid

Don’t be redundant

Don’t repeat the same point over and over and over (get the idea?). State it once, add details if appropriate, then move on. If any readers are confused or miss your point, they can go back and re-read the text. There’s no need to say keep repeating it.

Keep it simple

Work hard to pare your text down to the basic message. It can really help to have a writing plan, such as a detailed outline. Following that plan can really make writing straightforward, efficient, and effective. When you wander off course, it’s likely that you’re adding clutter.

Avoid filler

When you finish the first draft of your writing project, look for filler words, paragraphs, or anything that doesn’t add to your story or message. What you want is less filler and more substance. For example: Don’t say It should be pointed out…. Just point it out. Don’t say It’s interesting to note, just state it. Don’t pump up what can be said straight out.

Avoid long sentences

Long sentences with multiple points tend to lose readers. That’s because, in today’s world, readers tend to scan. Instead, use short direct content-filled sentences that are grammatically correct and easy to read. Another idea is to use bulleted or numbered lists. However, some people are annoyed at a break in the flow of text, so use this technique when it fits the subject material, and use it carefully.

Conclusion

One wonders how many pages Charles Dickens’ book David Copperfield would be if he had practiced decluttering his writing. Clear, succinct text wins every time.