Save a tree - edit your work

The staff are sent on the course to improve their writing skills, but maybe what companies don't realise is that we're not going to show them how to lengthen documents or use more words, but to teach them how to cut back on words.

And, more importantly, to use simpler language.

A clever person isn't someone who can write in complex language. A clever person is someone who can write so that everyone can understand what's being written! Documents full of words like sustainability; optimising private sector participation; effective integration; appraisal of clients; enhance financial sustainability; provide capacity building; resource mobilisation; impacted negatively; advising the CFO on matters pertaining - and the list could go on and on and on.

Perhaps we could ask, “Doesn't anyone speak English anymore?” Try using the above in a normal conversation and listen to yourself - do you sound stupid, pompous or what? All of these actually.

I said ‘speak English' rather than write. Because why is it that when we're explaining something to someone or having a conversation we don't use this type of language - but the minute fingers hit a keyboard, then out comes a cross between Will Shakespeare and Warren Buffet? Although knowing how successful Buffet is he probably doesn't write like this.

Try a simple test - pick up one of your reports or recent documents and read it out loud - is it language you'd use to talk to someone? If not, you're on the wrong track! And then start cutting out all the extra words that say or mean nothing and you can then say you've saved a tree and are doing your bit for the environment…

Let thy words be few (Gen 1:20-23).