When I was teaching creative and technical writing to high school seniors, I learned something fascinating. Creative writing is about artfully and clearly communicating your ideas. It’s about choosing words that dance on the page and make readers feel something. Technical writing? Same principle. The subject might be technical, but it’s still for humans.
Clarity is king.
And whether you’re crafting a poem or drafting a report, fluff is your enemy. Every word should pull its weight. No fillers. No rambling. Just ideas that stick.
Let’s talk about how to do it.
1. Cut the “Reallys” and “Verys”
Most people load their sentences with fluff because it feels like they’re being more convincing. Words like “very,” “really,” and “just” sneak in and add nothing.
What others do: “This is a very important step that we really need to focus on.”
What you can do: “This step is essential.”
When you cut the fluff, your sentence becomes more direct. “Essential” carries more weight than “very important.” Less is more.
Try this: Go through your draft and circle every “very,” “really,” and “just.” Then delete them. You won’t miss them.
2. Start with the Punchline
You know what people hate? Reading two paragraphs before they figure out what you’re talking about. It’s like sitting through a slow movie intro when all you want is the action.
What others do: “In today’s fast-paced world, communication is becoming an increasingly important skill for leaders to master.”
What you can do: “Great leaders communicate clearly.”
You’re not burying the lead. Readers get your point right away and stay hooked.
Try this: Rewrite the first sentence of every paragraph to make it the most important one. It’s like giving readers the headline before the details.
3. Swap Long Phrases for Simple Words
People love to sound smart, so they use phrases like “in order to” or “for the purpose of.” But guess what? Simplicity wins.
What others do: “We need to streamline our processes in order to improve efficiency.”
What you can do: “We need to streamline our processes to improve efficiency.”
Shorter phrases save time. They respect your reader’s brainpower.
Try this: Look for phrases that feel clunky and replace them with simpler alternatives. Your writing will thank you.
4. Stop Saying the Same Thing Twice
When people don’t trust their words to land, they repeat themselves. Different wording, same point. It’s like hammering a nail that’s already in.
What others do: “Leaders must communicate effectively. Clear communication is vital for leadership success. Without communication, leaders can’t lead.”
What you can do: “Great leaders communicate effectively.”
Saying it once, clearly, is enough. Repetition makes readers tune out.
Try this: Highlight sentences that repeat similar ideas and pick the strongest one. Kill the rest.
5. Don’t Over-Explain
Here’s the truth: readers are smart. They don’t need you to hold their hand and walk them through every little detail. Trust them to connect the dots.
What others do: “Technical writing is important because it’s the process of explaining complex ideas in a way that ensures understanding for the audience.”
What you can do: “Technical writing simplifies complex ideas for readers.”
You get to the point faster. Readers stay engaged because you’re not wasting their time.
Try this: If a sentence feels like it’s dragging, it probably is. Trim it until only the essentials remain.
6. Use Strong Verbs
Weak verbs lean on adjectives for strength, but strong verbs? They carry the weight on their own. They get the job done.
What others do: “She made an improvement to the process.”
What you can do: “She improved the process.”
Strong verbs cut down word count and make your writing more vivid.
Try this: Scan for phrases like “make a decision” or “give assistance” and replace them with verbs like “decide” and “help.”
7. Break Up Long Sentences
Ever read a sentence so long you forgot how it started? Yeah, me too. Long sentences are the enemy of clarity.
What others do: “The team, which was composed of highly skilled professionals, worked tirelessly for weeks on the project and eventually delivered outstanding results that exceeded expectations.”
What you can do: “The skilled team worked tirelessly for weeks. They delivered outstanding results.”
Short sentences are easier to read. Readers process your ideas faster.
Try this: Read your sentences out loud. If you run out of breath, break them into two.
8. Use Precise Words, Not Modifiers
Modifiers like “extremely,” “totally,” or “incredibly” don’t add much. They’re like junk food—tempting, but not satisfying.
What others do: “She was extremely tired after the long meeting.”
What you can do: “She was exhausted after the meeting.”
Precise words pack more punch.
Try this: Replace “very tired” with “exhausted,” “really happy” with “thrilled.” You get the idea.
9. Dump the Clichés
Clichés are like old, worn-out shoes. They’ve been around forever, and they don’t fit anymore.
What others do: “Our goal is to think outside the box and reach new heights.”
What you can do: “Our goal is to find creative solutions and increase revenue by 20%.”
Clichés make your writing forgettable. Specificity makes it stand out.
Try this: When you spot a cliché, ask yourself, “What am I really trying to say?” Write that instead.
10. End Strong
Most people drag out their conclusions. They keep adding sentences, hoping to sound profound. But long endings lose their punch.
What others do: “To summarize, it’s clear that cutting unnecessary words, focusing on clarity, and simplifying sentences are all crucial for effective writing, and I hope you’ll apply these tips moving forward.”
What you can do:“Cut the fluff. Write with clarity. Your readers will thank you.”
A strong, direct conclusion leaves a lasting impression.
Try this: Summarize your main point in one or two sentences. Then stop.
Clarity Wins
When I taught writing to high schoolers, they told me something surprising. Creative and technical writing were the most useful skills they carried into college. Why? Because both teach you to communicate clearly.
Cutting the fluff isn’t just a writing trick. It’s about respecting your reader’s time and delivering ideas that stick. Whether you’re drafting an email, writing a report, or creating your magnum opus, make every word count. Your readers will notice—and they’ll thank you for it.
