When writing informational pieces, there are few things more important than being clear. When your copy is ambiguous and vague, after all, it defeats the whole purpose of reading an informative piece. Some English grammar software can help catch ill-constructed portions of your copy and point them out as candidates for rewriting so make sure you take advantage of it.
Apart from employing software help, here are a few things you can do to help make your writing clearer.
1. Accommodate the uninitiated
Always assume that your reader is getting their first experience with your topic through your piece. While some of them will probably have some inkling about it, it’s still best to accommodate those who wouldn’t. As such, avoid assuming past knowledge. At the least, include possible references (such as hyperlinks for online work) when introducing a topic that you don’t intend to clarify in your copy.
2. Avoid long phrases
If a phrase can be expressed with one or two words, use the alternative. A lead in like “In view of the aforementioned results,” can usually be written more succinctly as just a “therefore” without losing any of the statement’s essence.
3. Avoid tautology
Putting together words that just say the same thing is often employed in informal writing and may even be accepted by most grammar softwares. That, however, doesn’t make them a good idea when you’re writing for clarity. Saying an “exact copy” in the context of a work, for instance, is often no different than saying “copy.” Omit the unnecessary words whenever you can.
4. Be accurate
Informational copy that fails to report on details correctly tend to fail on the edifying part, which is why most of us would read such kinds of materials anyway. To ensure accuracy, your writing should include all appropriate data, apart from being consistent with all its assertions. Make sure your conclusions are supported with sound reasoning and real-world results.
Tags: informational articles, informational pieces, informational writing
