A Simple Word that Sucks All Authority Right Out of Your Writing
June 18th 2007 13:30
Words: The Tools of Our Trade
We writers have an almost endless array of words from which to choose in crafting our written works. And, for the most part, we have an amazing degree of latitude in our choice of which of the terms from our (hopefully) wide vocabulary we will use in any given piece.
The problem lies in the inability of many to distinguish between those words in our immense communal bag of literary tricks which bear removing and using often and those which should be seldom used and would, in fact, very likely best be left sitting in the bottom of the bag, conveniently forgotten and undisturbed.
Write With Precision!
There are so many wonderful words which brilliantly advance our themes, expressing our thoughts with precision, painting pleasing (or at least appropriate) literary pictures in our readers' minds, beautifully clarifying our topics, and effectively allowing those who approach our works to grasp the thread of our argument, the gist of our explanation, or the heart of our story--and which do so without unduly and unnecessarily distracting the reader from our topic and forcing him or her to focus, instead, on our annoying word choice.
Don't Sacrifice Your Credibility
One term which I, personally, find extremely distracting and the use of which, in any kind of serious writing, in my view, immensely detracts from a writer's credibility--one of my literary pet peeves, in fact--is the word "sucks" when it is used in its slang form, to mean "is terrible or inferior." I would even venture to say that this use of the word in any type of serious writing and/or in any professional context is itself terrible and inferior--at least to me. (And, no, I won't use the term itself to describe its use.)
Writing Requires Craftsmanship!
I must be honest in saying that, as a writer who takes my craft very seriously--and as a reader who takes my avocation every bit as seriously--whenever I encounter this use of the word in a written work which is non-casual and is intended to be taken seriously from either a literary or a professional standpoint, my critical assessment of the writer (or at least of the writer's craftsmanship/good judgment) instantly drops a few notches.
Don't Drive Your Readers Away!
In fact, to be totally honest, it would take nothing short of a literary miracle to keep me reading beyond that point in a formal, official, literary, or professional piece. (Aside from excessive or extremely vulgar profanity, the use of this irritating term in a professionally written piece is one of the quickest ways for an author to lose this reader in mid-sentence, sending me on my merry way to look for greener literary pastures.)
Write With Purpose, Write On Purpose
I realize that today's younger adults have grown up hearing--and using--this term and it has become almost second nature to many of them. I realize, too, that, as the saying goes, "Old habits die hard." But, if you take away anything at all from this post, let it be this: To write effectively, you must not only write with purpose, you must also write on purpose. If you would truly communicate with your reader and capture his or her attention and interest--and hold it--you must choose your words carefully, targeting them to your audience, your topic, and your venue, and cutting out any terminology which has the potential to alienate your audience and thereby defeat your literary objective.
Is Alienation Your Intention?
(Of course, for some of you, your objective might actually be to alienate your audience--or a portion of it--in which case I would only say that this word should suit your purpose nicely. But this type of writing would not generally tend to fall under the purview of serious literary or professional writing, which is the kind we are discussing.)
So, please think twice about the terms you use in your writing--for your reader's sake--as well as your own! Don't give your reader a reason to stop reading and seek more suitable or appropriate content elsewhere.
Slang: When In Doubt, Leave it Out!
Slang can often be used very effectively; but only if it is used with discretion, if it is not overused, and if the slang terms chosen do not irritate, or lower your credibility with your reader, causing him or her to lose respect for you either as a communicator or as an authority on your subject--or worse yet, both.
Where slang is concerned, the recommended rule of thumb is, When in doubt, leave it out! It simply isn't worth the risk. Alienating your audience over such an unnecessary and easily correctible problem, would be very unwise. After all, it can be hard enough to hold our readers' attention even without throwing such literary stumbling blocks into their path. So, why would we ever want to do that?
May you always write effectively!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Don't leave me lonely--Please comment!
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Comment by Anonymous
Melissa R. Garrett
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Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for stopping by! You might not believe this, but I actually did read a professional article in the employment section of my local paper--syndicated, I believe--which used this very unprofessional term in a piece instructing job seekers in effective job interview techniques. I could hardly believe it! Couldn't help but wonder to myself what this author thought would happen if she were to use that term during a job interview!
Personally, I don't think it would have gone over very well with most employers; and, that being the case, why would she believe that it would go over well in an article designed to teach job candidates how to make a good impression with a potential employer? I feel she used very poor judgment in her choice of terminology, and, without question, set an extremely poor example for the job seekers who took her article seriously.
Thanks again for your comment!
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for the comment! Your point is well taken. People in different locales do tend to use different expressions; as do different groups of people in a single location.
However, the story you relate seems to have more to do with accent than word choice; so I'm not really sure it fits the situation. You are right, though, that each individual has a particular manner of speaking; and while I've always found the term in question to be personally irritating--whatever its context--everyone has the right to choose his or her own terminology, no matter what other people may think--at least in private conversation or casual writing.
I do, however, still stand by my original contention that--whether or not these individuals choose to use this term in their personal, casual communications--there is absolutely no place for it in formal, literary, or professional writing!
Thanks again for your input!
Jeanne
Comment by chayne de cairns
C
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much! I've written quite a few academic papers, myself, since I not only just finished two years of (reentry) college work, but also tend to be the scholarly type!
It's a pleasure to have you visit! Thanks so much for your feedback!
Regards,
Jeanne
Comment by Anonymous
Laura
WritingThoughts
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Jeanne
Comment by Anonymous
Whenever I encounter a "grating word" in any blog - generally speaking, I'm forever gone!
It's one reason why I try to keep MZM "G-Rated" (although different people define that differently). But it's a goal, at least!
The last thing I want is for a reader to leave without getting anything of value - and an "offensive term" never helps!
Cheers!
Robert Hruzek
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
There's so much to read in the blogosphere today that it doesn't take much to make a reader click away to the next site. The modern reader's attention span is already short enough as it is; so why do anything that will shorten it even further!
Thanks for your feedback!
Jeanne