Clear writing can help us to establish rapport with our readers – pacing their experience, helping them to navigate their way through our words and creating a clear, uncluttered pathway that takes them straight to our point.
This week’s podcast talks you through 10 simple ways to do just that:
1. Know where you’re going
2. Use signposts to clarify (not confuse)
3. Think about where your reader is starting from
4. Include stop points
5. Avoid unnecessary detours
6. Clear any clutter out of the way
7. Avoid visual distractions
8. Use plain language so your writing’s easy to follow
9. Put your best foot forward. Start with the most important thing, both at the start of your writing and the beginning of each sentence
10. Make sure your readers can see the route ahead
You’re aiming for clear, simple writing that helps your readers to see where they’re going, reassures them there’s not too much text, helps them to see where you’re heading and how you’re getting there – and that you’ve got a clear ending in sight…
As I was recording it I realised that we need to find way to signposts audio material too – which I guess is why I’m using 5 or 10 point lists to structure my material – and keeping to a 5 minute limit.
What other techniques do you use to help signpost the way? For your readers – or your listeners (if there are any other podcasters out there?)
With clarity in mind I kept this weeks’ show to 4 minutes 36 secs 
You can tune in to the show by following this link, or playing (or downloading) it from my GCast page. If you want to make sure you don’t miss future episodes you can also subscribe to the Confident Writing podcast feed.
This show was a contribution to the October series on writing with clarity – subscribe to the feed for more on clear writing, or writing to establish a powerful connection (coming up in November).
Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count
Photo credits to flickr
To get future articles you might want to subscribe to the free RSS feed. You'll find more writing tips in the Confident Writing archive. Thanks for visiting!
Related posts:
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Joanna,
This is a great one for me.
(I’m going to run out of ink!)
Hi Cat, I’m glad you’re finding the ‘clear journey’ (walking, driving) ideas useful. But the idea of the podcast is that you don’t have to print it! Which format do you prefer I’m wondering?
Joanna