How To Write – Quick Tips

How to improve your writing – Quick tip 3

Say what you mean – as clearly as possible.

Often we have so much to say we cram it all into a short space. That makes it difficult for the reader to separate out what’s important.

Example:

“Using the latest technologies to the highest environmental standards, ABCD Engineering prides itself on being able to provide a complete managed service from concept or problem, through design, to prototype and into production – having both the equipment and the know-how to ensure quality, satisfaction and value.”

That is an extract from a real website, but it isn’t the worst example by far. Here’s how we can improve on it.

ABCD Engineering provides a complete managed service from concept or problem to delivery. We use the latest technologies and know-how to ensure quality, satisfaction and value, from design through prototype into production.

If you have several ideas in an existing sentence the easy way to make sure the reader understands is to split the sentence into two or even three sentences.

Use one idea per sentence. It aids clarity, reduces confusion and eliminates unnecessary words.