Put some verbs in your sentences.
Dr. Phil offers that advice to his talk show guests to guide them in making a plan to deal with whatever problems they're having.
My advice for your (content) problem? Pack strong and motivating verbs into each sentence. Stop using weak, irrelevant, boring verbs.
That advice emerged from my very core, fueled by my frustrated desire to grab a red pen and slash through all the wasted verbs, slickly dragging down what I read. And I dare to share this advice even though I don't always take it myself.
Study these four tips and related before and after examples to get ideas for including strong verbs in your writing. “Previous” excerpts come from passages in writing advice articles I found online and from my own work . (I really love sarcasm.) I tried to edit some of the examples to correct more of the verb usage, but I refrained so that you would feel the impact of the verb change without need any padding.
Wasteful, wasteful verbs drag your #ContentMarketing down. @AnnGynn shows you how to wrap powerful, motivating verbs into every sentence via @CMIContent. #WritingTips Click to Tweet
Ignore the passive voice
Passive verbs work best when the subject of an action is indefinite, explain Grammar and Writing Guide . Here's an example: “A cyclist was injured in a crash." Since the driver (i.e. the subject) is indefinite, this sentence cannot work in the active voice.
But many writers weaken their sentences by using passive verb forms too often. The passive voice produces sentences without a rudder. On the other hand, active verbs create images, convey emotions, and motivate the reader.
Consider this verb transformation example. Passive version: “Jane is a shining example of why you should study hard.” Now the version that works: “Jane shines as an example of why you should study hard.”
Drag the hidden verbs into the opening
This tip comes from the US government, the company that runs a website devoted to writing effectively : “A verb (or nounization) is a verb that is turned into a noun. It usually needs an auxiliary verb to make sense. For example, “Please apply for a personal loan” is longer and less obvious than “Please apply for a personal loan.” ”
The site notes hidden verbs that often end in -ment, -tion, -sion and -ance. ProWriting Aid offers advice this to discover hidden verbs : “Watch out for weak verbs like give, have, do, and take. Here is the example it provides:
- Hidden Verbs: Active verbs make your writing stronger.
- Transitive Verbs: Active verbs strengthen your writing.
Look out for weak verbs like give, have, make and take, say @ProWritingAid via @AnnGynn @CMIContent. #WritingTips Click to Tweet
Reduce linking verbs
Linking verbs – usually “to be” – connect subject to subject or modify adjectives (describe the subject). Think of forms like am, is, are, was, was, be, was, and being. Other linking verbs, like Syntax explanation including appearance, feel, sight, seem, sound and smell.
The syntax shares this example, with the first version indicating the status: “High Mark”. But when they edited to add an action verb, here's how it reads: "Mark passes his peers."
Here's another example: "Laquita is a lousy sport."
Now, with the linking verbs removed and an action added: “Laquita lost the game and flipped the board.”
Reduce risk and hesitation
Do not use unnecessary hedging verbs or phrases . Let me explain.
Don't use unnecessary hedging verbs or phrases in your #writing, says @AnnGynn via @CMIContent. #ContentMarketing Click to Tweet Cambridge Dictionary said hedges “soften what we say or write… They make what we say less direct. ”
You may need to dodge because you are unsure of the statement or want to buffer your language to get the desired effect from the reader or listener.
Sometimes, people use the phrase "I feel" or "we think" as an opening to a statement, softening the lesson. For example, “I feel you should consider increasing your video production because research shows that audiences prefer that format.”
Instead, use direct language: “Increase your video production because research shows audiences prefer that format.”
Real-life examples modified for better word movement
I have found many examples of poor verb use in articles that are meant to teach writing skills. I wanted to add each one to the corresponding tip above, but I find most of them are guilty of two or more phrasal verbs.
In this one from MasterClass I remove the passive voice and hedging language.
As published: “There are a few elements that every piece of writing or writing should have, like simple words, short sentences, and language that directly engages the reader. While you want to maintain your unique tone, there are ways to improve your style by being more thoughtful in how you arrange your words and craft your story. ”
Verb-focused editing: “Every good writing style should engage the reader with certain elements such as simple words, short sentences, and direct language. To maintain your unique tone and improve your style, take extra care in wording and crafting your story. ”
In this example the word Grammarly I removed an unnecessary preposition and removed the linking verb.
As published: “Embarking on a big writing project can feel intimidating if you're not used to the act of writing. ”
Verb-focused editing: “Large writing projects threaten novelty or non-practice writers. ”
And in this passage from MasterClass I switched to a less powerful passive voice and removed the hidden verb.
As published: “Short sentences are easier to understand, something that readers appreciate. Avoid trying to pack too much into one row. ”
Verb-focused editing: “Readers appreciate short sentences because they are easier to understand. Avoid putting too many in a row. ”
In this example the word a CMI . article I wrote, I removed the passive voice and the preventive verb.
Original version from: “If you want to be taken seriously as a content marketer, stop acting like a member of the PR team. If you want to prove that content marketing is a definite contributor to business results, stop using only PR metrics. ”
Verb-focused editing: “Don't act like a member of the PR team that is valued like a content marketer. Just stop using PR metrics to show the value of content marketing to business results. ”
You can't ignore poor verb choices at the start of your search. Check out the surprising examples @AnnGynn found in #content giving advice on how to write well via @CMIContent. Click to Tweet
Put the verbs in an action plan
Practice verb-focused editing to put greater emphasis on your content.
Try this: In the next three sections that you edit, spend a read-only section examining the verbs. When you do that a few times, your verb use (write and edit) will improve. In the end, you won't need a separate round of verb-focused editing.
Cover photo of Joseph Kalinowski / Content Marketing Institute
Post a Comment
Post a Comment