Habits that damage the quality of our writing
Good grammatical skills and knowledge in vocabulary can take you a long way when it comes to professional writing. However, there are certain habits we develop while writing, habits that can affect the quality of the write-ups. These habits are usually of a harmful nature and the only ones who can notice them are the readers.
WORD COUNT OCD
This refers to the desperate attempts writers often make to complete write-ups within or at a particular word count. But this doesn't end here. Many of us have this tendency where we idolise different word counts and any deviation from that will make us feel uncomfortable. For instance, let's say you are writing an article without any fixed word limit. Initially, you set up a target to finish it at around 500 words but you end up crossing 600. Most writers will be fine with this, but there are also many others who will find the number '600' to be unsettling. What they will go on to do is either decrease their word count to 500 or increase it all the way up to a point where they no longer feel discomfort like may be 800 or a thousand. This habit can be very harmful, especially if you're stretching an article that has very limited content. At one point, you are most likely to add a ton of filler content which will definitely annoy your readers.
REFERENCES
People often include references related to trending news or anything in pop culture either to make their content seem more relevant or just for the sake of humour. Usually, inclusions like these don't cause any drastic deterioration. However, while including references to certain events or trends, you must keep your target audience in mind. Remember, a forty year old is less likely to know about trending memes and hence, to that person, your meme references will seem pointless. Also, while adding references, you need to see if the majority of your readers is acquainted with the source material of the reference, otherwise there is no point in using it in the first place. In short, avoid making your article seem like a script from 'The Big Bang Theory'.
CHOICE OF WORDS
This is also something which will vary from reader to reader. Your choice of words or the tone you are using in your article needs to be set based on your reader base as well as the point you are trying to assert in your write-up. Using difficult or uncommon words in your writing will not enhance its quality nor can it guarantee admiration from the readers. Your writing in a way, speaks to your readers through the tone you use. If the article is something to spark interest among your readers, your tone should be set in a slightly exciting manner using vocabulary that will make your readers feel excited or interested. Similarly, articles written to deliver a message to the readers need to have proper reasoning backed by proper logic or reliable sources to ensure that people will digest your article in the way you intend them to.
Faisal wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. To survive university is his real test, to graduate is his cause. Send him memes and motivation at abir.afc@gmail.com
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