3 Strategies for Being Concise 

For the next few weeks, we are exploring a new series called The Executive Edit.

This week’s insight is centered around making sure we use concise language.

But first…

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Part 2 – Concise Language

I remember all too well putting the corporate newspaper I had edited to bed only to have a typo jump out at me as soon as I opened the printed version.

Not only was it there, but it seemed like it leapt up to hit me in the nose the minute I opened it.

What was happening here?

This paper had been proofed by at least three people.

We were all way too close to it, and we were seeing what we thought was on the page, not what was actually there.

Here are three strategies to help you avoid this and really see what’s on the page:

1. Do something different for a while before coming back to proofreading. This might include focusing on a different task, going for a walk, getting a coffee, talking to someone about something unrelated to the communication, and then reviewing it again
2. Read it backwards. You will see the word-by-word and number-by-number inconsistencies in a totally different way
3. Focus on the most important aspects of language: Be ruthless—cull words until all of your sentences are 25 words or less. Culling forces you to synthesise your ideas crisply. Use active voice (i.e., “We recommend,” not “It is recommended that”). Notice how the more active version is shorter? Describe what data points mean, not just what they “are” (e.g., “We should acquire X for $1.23 per share” not “Acquisition criteria is $1.23 per share”)

I hope you find that useful. More soon.

Davina

P.S Feel free to download a copy of Part 2 of the Executive Edit to keep on hand.

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