Dodging Tired Clichés and Phrases

Wednesday, June 28th, 2006 at 9:20 AM | Category: Meryl's Notes Blog 3 comments

As I write an article, it’s not unusual for a commonly use cliché or phrase to pop out from my fingers and onto the monitor. I stop and try to get rid of the phrase. Why would I want to use something that’s been said so many times even if it’s a fit? I don’t. The writing becomes predictable and the readers tune out. Oops, I did it again. “Tune out.” Hmm… let’s back up and change that to “readers lose interest.” Kind of dull.

“Readers stop reading.” Eh.

“Readers clock out.” That’s a possibility.

I completed “How to Write Powerfully and Clearly,” and picked up great ideas and tips for dodging those old, tired phrases. But the hard part comes in making a habit of applying the new things I learned.

“Beyond Basic Blunders” from Writer’s Digest tackles the problem of using predictable phrases. How many times have you heard that someone was rudely awakened? Woke up bleary-eyed?

Where I wrote “tackles,” I almost used “covers” (overused) and then “addresses” (too stiff). So I relied on the Thesaurus and found “tackles.” Although, it’s been used … it’s better than the other two. I thought I had spent enough time on one word.

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3 comments

  • Posted by jessica on June 29th, 2006, 1:44 AM

    I like the information on the link “How to write powerfully and clearly” wizard academy offers alot of great courses for students or writing.

  • Posted by Jason Spector on June 29th, 2006, 8:55 AM

    Not that it’s nice that you’re struggling, but it’s nice to see that writers also struggle with these issues. As a designer, I am always questioning the necessity of using drop shadows, textures, image treatments, color palettes, etc. when they have all been done before.

    I think there is a need to step back and look at the entire composition. A pixel or color shade difference for me and a word choice for you might not even be noticed by anyone other than you and I. That’s our positive and negative nature – the designer’s and writer’s obsession with our work coupled with our egos.

    If your message is clear, than the words are secondary (at least to this designer).

  • Posted by 30 Days of Writing Tips – Day 7 – Avoid Clichés — About Freelance Writing on May 4th, 2011, 9:40 AM

    [...] The admonition to freelance writers avoid clichés is probably a cliché in itself. Which doesn’t make it less true. Meryl K. Evans, the Content Maven has a delightful post called Dodging Tired Clichés and Phrases. [...]

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