A lot of the writing you can find around is evasive and indirect. That’s because the approach – coupled with good writing instruments – can prove seductive. When you insinuate rather than declare, you can mask it in any of a variety of ways.
However, once you’ve been around such material for any extended period, you almost always end up being refreshed by the idea of straight talk. No dulling around the edges and no dressing – just the honest facts.
As a writer, being well-versed in both is often a requirement. You can’t be brutally frank about every subject you write about. However, sticking to evasive writing as your default style can lead to some very bad habits, including a few that even the best writing software may find difficult to fix.
When your goal is to write as clear as possible, a straight rundown of the facts and supporting arguments is almost always necessary. Evasive language can create an insincere tone that most readers will find disturbing. Unless you’re being intentionally cagey, it’s simply makes sense to stick with straight talk when you can.
Does your job require you to write in a less-than-frank manner? Here’s a tip. While surrounding yourself with that kind of influence, do give yourself a daily dose of straight talk, whether from a no-nonsense opinion column or one of your old favorites. It will help balance out the propensity to mince words, allowing you be more conscious while doing it.
