Picture this: You’re in the middle of an important conversation, but the person speaking keeps using long-winded phrases, unnecessary jargon, and a tangled mess of words that leave you feeling lost.
Frustrating, right?
Now, imagine reading something that feels just as convoluted—sentences that meander without direction, ideas buried beneath layers of ambiguity.
It’s exhausting, and frankly, most readers won’t stick around long enough to figure it out.
That’s why clarity is a solid foundation of great writing.
However, let’s get one thing straight: Clarity doesn’t mean dumbing things down. It’s about precision, not simplicity for simplicity’s sake.
In other words, the best writers know how to communicate complex ideas without making readers feel like they’re deciphering a cryptic puzzle.
Complexity vs. Readability
Some writing advice suggests keeping sentences short—15 to 20 words at most.
… but here’s the thing: While brevity is valuable, some ideas simply can’t be condensed into tiny, bite-sized pieces.
Mature, well-developed thoughts often require depth and nuance, which means writers need a balance between clarity and complexity.
The goal isn’t to strip ideas down to the bare minimum but to present them in a way that’s both accessible and engaging.
The key?
Structure.
There’s a straightforward way to make your writing instantly clearer:
- Make main characters the subjects of your verbs.
- Make those characters’ important actions your verbs.
Sounds simple, right?
Yet, many writers unintentionally complicate things by burying the action or subject in unnecessary layers.
When that happens, they force readers to work harder… and in today’s fast-paced world where people skim articles, emails, and reports in seconds, confusing writing is a surefire way to lose an audience.
So, it would be helpful to keep these principles in mind:
-
Express actions in verbs.
-
Make the subjects of those verbs the characters associated with those actions.
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Use nominalizations wisely (read this article for further elaboration).
X – The intention of the committee is improvement of morale.
✓ – The committee intends to improve morale.
X – A decision by the dean in regard to the funding of the program by the department is necessary for adequate staff preparation.
✓ – The staff can prepare adequately, only after the dean decides whether the department will fund the program.
Overall, great writing doesn’t happen by accident. It takes practice and a willingness to revise, refine, and simplify where needed.
Whether you’re crafting an email, a report, or a novel, the goal remains the same: Write in a way that respects your reader’s time and intelligence.
By focusing on clear sentence structure, making subjects the doers of actions, and eliminating unnecessary complexity, you can ensure your writing is not only understood but also appreciated.
… because at the end of the day, writing isn’t about showing off what you know; it’s about making sure your message is heard.
So, the next time you sit down to write, ask yourself:
“Am I making my readers work harder than they need to?”
If the answer is yes, it’s time for a rewrite.
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Wednesdays: Write with the Pen of the Masters”
Who doesn’t find content writing to be a skill that requires a lot of practice and effort?
In fact, many people may even find copywriting very intimidating.
However, you can be a good writer as long as you have the right tools. You won’t always get things right the first time, but with enough time and practice, you’ll get the hang of it!
When you write copy for any brand or for your company, your aim is to make an impact and…
… to get people to remember.
Getting people to remember means getting consumers to buy your product or avail of your service.
… and when you get your content to deliver the results you want, THAT is great copy!
Every Wednesday, we publish content based on tips and insights from the masters of content writing, copywriting, and storytelling.
Become more familiar with ways to write great copy that helps you gain ROI from your efforts, drive profitability, and achieve your business goals.
Learn time-tested tactics that better capture the attention of your target audience, and maximize the benefits of great copywriting.
Hope you find this week’s insights interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Wednesday’s “Write with the Pen of the Masters!”
Cheers,
Dyane Diasanta
Senior Content Writer
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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