Whatever you want to write, whether it’s a memoir, a novel, a devotional, a literature review, or a short story collection, impactful writing starts with keeping your reader in mind. It’s like that familiar saying, “Before you say something, think whether it’s true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.”
Similarly, when you write, think about the three Cs: Are my words clear, concise, and courteous?
Why Clear Writing Matters: Making Your Message Easy to Understand
As an editor, I often find myself making comments that say, “Clarify this,” or “Explain what this means.” When your writing is clear, your readers won’t have to guess what you intend to say. They won’t wonder what point you’re trying to make, nor will they have to re-read a paragraph to decipher its implications.
As writers, we know exactly what we are trying to say. But how can we make our message clear to our readers, too?
First, think of your readers. Who are they? How old are they? Are they pastoral leaders or young children? The words you use will greatly depend on your readers’ understanding. Here’s a trick: after you’ve written a paragraph, try looking it over while pretending to be one of your readers. This will help you identify the spots where your readers might get lost and the words that might trip them up.
Next, try switching passive sentences to active ones. For example, you could change this passive sentence, “The truth was discovered,” to an active one: “A curious investigator discovered the truth.” Writing in an active voice makes the “doer” in the sentence obvious. Plus, this will give you a chance to incorporate some specifics, like the word “curious” here.
Clear writing is active, specific, and tailored to your reader.
How to Write Concisely: Cutting the Fluff to Strengthen Your Message
Concision can transform your message from wordy and cluttered to meaningful and captivating. This doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your creativity. Instead, when you get rid of unnecessary fluff, you put a spotlight on the words that matter most, creating impactful writing that speaks directly to your audience.
So, what is the “fluff” that we should eliminate? Simply put, if your sentence retains its meaning without one or two of its words, then you can probably trash those words—they’re not needed. Phrases like “in order to” or “therefore” are common, unnecessary fluff words. Similarly, too many “to be” verbs can diminish your sentence’s impact.
Here’s an example of a “fluffy” sentence:
The apples on the trees that grew in the autumn were picked by the young boy in order to make a pie, but he began to be of the opinion that the cherries would be a better choice because they were more ripe.
We can make this sentence more powerful by changing it to active voice and removing its unnecessary words.
The boy picked some autumn apples before realizing that the riper cherries would make a tastier pie.
This revised sentence cuts right to the chase, is much easier to read, and retains its meaning.
Take a second look at your sentences. What fluff words can you get rid of?
Writing with Courtesy: Building Trust and Connection with Your Readers
Courtesy might not be the first thing you’d associate with effective writing. Usually, when we think of courtesy, we think of social politeness. But courtesy can also make or break your readers’ ability to understand and connect with your writing, ultimately shaping impactful writing that resonates on a deeper level.
We want our readers to feel valued and respected. Courteous writing embraces inclusivity and considers diverse perspectives, even if by simple acknowledgment. By approaching contentious or complex topics with humility and kindness, we writers can build trust and inspire thoughtful dialogue. Consider two simple tweaks to build courtesy in your words.
First, courteous writing is gender neutral. If you are speaking generically and the gender of your subject is unknown, avoid specifying either gender.
For example, instead of saying: A good nurse always checks on her patients early in the morning.
Consider: A good nurse always checks on his or her patients early in the morning.
Or better: Good nurses always check on their patients early in the morning.
Second, courteous writing is reader-friendly. Organization tools like chapters, sections, paragraphs, subheadings, and bulleted or numbered lists are important avenues for serving your audience.
Make sure you format your writing consistently and in a way that’s easy to read. “Chunking” material into paragraphs and sections is especially effective for accessibility. Take another look at your work and ask yourself if it serves the reader. Is it inclusive? Is it easy to read? Writing courteously can make a night-and-day difference for your audience.
Final Thoughts
The 3 Cs of impactful writing—clarity, concision, and courtesy—serve as essential guidelines for creating content that resonates with your readers. By focusing on clear communication, removing unnecessary fluff, and embracing a respectful tone, you ensure your writing is engaging, effective, and inclusive. Whether you’re drafting a novel, a devotional, or a short story collection, these principles will help you connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression. If you enjoyed this article, check out our guide on Writing with a Purpose: How to Infuse Your Christian Faith into Your Manuscript for more tips on refining your writing skills.
