Quick Example of Concise Writing

From something I was writing

Photo by Gary Chan on Unsplash

Removing unnecessary words is only one way to make your writing more concise.

What about content?

I often find myself wanting to include details, anecdotes, or extra information just because I think they're funny, clever, or shocking.

I'll give you an example.

I was writing a post on Medium titled "'Avoid The Passive Voice' Is Cheap Writing Advice That Helps No One.”

I started it like this:

Writing tip givers have made you see the passive voice as one of those uncomfortable people you would never want to meet again in your life.

The sort of people you elude by taking another route when you see them from a distance.

If you spot them in a supermarket, you study their movements like a secret agent so you can avoid going where they're going. You could even pretend to be interested in spices and herbs if this will save you from the painful experience of bumping into one of these monsters.

The passive voice is the neighbour you can't stand but have to be nice to. It's the instructor of that course you dropped out of without notice. The passive voice is your ex-partner.

I'm here to tell you that the passive voice is a friend.

[First section of the article]

It took me a while to write this. I like it. I think it’s clever and original. But I decided to discard it because it was just distracting fluff that slowed down the piece.

This is how I began the post instead.

“Avoid the passive voice,” they say. 

That’s nonsense.

[First section of the article]

Two lines in and I’m already telling my readers what I think. I’m already giving them what they came here for.

I like this even more.

Resist the temptation to include sentences just because you worked hard on them or somehow feel attached to them. Remove anything that can be removed.

This is, in essence, what concise writing is all about.

---

What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments. 🤗

Talk to you soon,

Fabio

Join my group writing course