Is This the Secret to a More Dynamic Article?
How many times have you clicked on an article and started to skim through it to see if you wanted to invest your time to read it? This is common, so no judgment here.
It passes the test, then you start to read it and it’s like they never quite get to the point.
It’s only one more scroll away or in the next section…hopefully.
Those articles drive me nuts, and it’s almost like clickbait for an article.
Cut out the Fluff
Most articles can get the points through in much less time and effort.
There is no need to drag something out with multiple sections, bullet lists, and subcategories.
People come to an article to find information or read something personal.
Some articles, such as essays and short stories, are excluded from this list. The people checking those out know what they are getting themselves into.
I enjoy reading those from time to time as well as poems. The fluff is for those other articles like this one.
Check out my Outline
This was my outline for this article so skim through it to see how ridiculous this could have turned out. It’s not a bad outline, yet it’s unnecessary.
Outline:
Introduction
Opening anecdote/statistic about the importance of concise writing
Statement: The key to effective writing is to eliminate unnecessary fluff and focus on delivering clear, concise, and impactful content.
Defining Fluff
Explanation of what constitutes fluff in writing
Examples of common fluff elements: redundant phrases, excessive adjectives, filler words, etc.
Discussion on how fluff can detract from the message and dilute the impact of the writing
The Negative Impact of Fluff
How fluff can confuse readers and dilute the message
The importance of respecting the reader’s time and attention
How excessive fluff can undermine the writer’s authority
Strategies for Trimming Fluff
Conducting a ruthless self-edit: Identifying and eliminating unnecessary words and phrases
Using active voice and concise language to convey ideas more effectively
Simplifying complex ideas without sacrificing depth or clarity
Seeking feedback from peers or editors to identify and remove fluff
Utilizing tools and techniques for streamlining writing, such as outlining and structuring
Case Studies and Examples
Real-life examples of writing before and after fluff reduction
Analysis of how removing fluff enhances readability and impact
Success stories of writers who have mastered the art of lean writing
Conclusion
Recap of the importance of eliminating fluff for effective communication
Encouragement for writers to embrace brevity and clarity in their writing
Final thoughts on the value of respecting the reader’s time and delivering content that packs a punch
Final Thoughts
Ironically, this article is longer than it needed to be.
That entire outline section was only to make a point in showing you how insane this article could have been. Going forward, my articles will try to accomplish two things:
Be as short as possible while delivering the idea/story
Less formatting unless necessary
It’s fine to write an article with no headings, lists, or God forbid a quote like this.
It’s fine to write a few paragraphs only so long as they aren’t big blocks of text as our attention spans are that of a gnat.
Thank you for reading :)