Showing posts with label Ernest Hemingway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ernest Hemingway. Show all posts
6 Ways to Make Your Copy Upbeat and Fun
You've probably read enough articles, news stories, press releases and books to distinguish different tones and moods in the writing style used by the copywriter or author. Simply by changing a few words, adding punctuation and pauses for effect and using a different way to separate related topics, a writer is able to change how the reader feels about the write-up. So you think you're too serious, businesslike and 'heavy'? Here are ways you can make your copy upbeat and fun:
Don't assume
When writing copy, avoid wrapping your content in a veil of secrecy and enigma. Being mysterious is fine for puzzle makers and fortune tellers but it doesn’t always work with writers. Use an unassuming tone in writing instead. Avoid being overbearing or condescending. Just write clearly and use a light, undemanding tone.
Use humor
Humor is very nearly a universal language, which means that with the right words, you can affect the way people see things and even cause them to break into a smile or even laughter.
To make your copy upbeat and fun, inject humor into your writing. Be lively and write with enthusiasm. If you're bored, it will be reflected in your finished copy. Don’t be afraid to make people laugh because it's often the easiest way to show them what you mean.
Don't overdo the words
Some of the best and well-loved writers of the past and present centuries used simple, easy to read language. Anne Rice, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Paulo Coelho and Isabel Allende are the kind of writers that did not require their readers to read their works with a dictionary next to them. As a result, their readers find it easier to understand and appreciate their efforts.
To keep the mood of your copy upbeat and fun, don't try to exert too much effort to impress your readers. They want to be entertained and to be informed – not bewildered or confused. Don't make it too hard for them. Use long, complicated words only when necessary or as a requisite in the article you're writing.
Lighten up the language
Very often, to make your copy upbeat and fun, you might have to use colloquial terms or slang. This is often the case when the term you're considering is too technical for your readers to appreciate.
Do not use offensive words
Sometimes, in an attempt to make writing upbeat and fun, some writers make the mistake of using words that are entertaining only to a few but highly offensive to the majority. Words that reflect bigotry, hatred or prejudice can seem upbeat but may not be effective in the context of the whole write-up. Avoid these words.
Don't try to please everyone.
There is no way your writing will be able to appeal to every reader. Not even the best and brightest writers have been able to do that. This is why writers have target audiences or niches and why write-ups are characterized by genre.
Can you imagine if horror master Stephen King wrote a romance novel in the style of Harlequin books? Of course not. Writers will always have their own styles and a segment of the audience who admire them.
To keep your copy upbeat and fun, avoid trying to cover several genres or styles of writing in one article. Use one or two at most. Whether you're writing a humorous story, a satire, a critique or are simply offering your opinion, stick to a tone of voice that is the best vehicle for the message you want to share.
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The Power of Short Sentences
One of the most celebrated minimalist writers is Ernest Hemmingway. He was so dense on writing flowery adjective and gets straight to the point. The finest demonstration of his intellect is when he was challenged to write an entire story and he wrote it in just 6 words. He wrote: “For sale baby shoes never used.” And one of his tips to write effectively is to write in short sentences. To help you more, here are some tips to guide you in doing your copy.
Longer sentences will bore readers so maintain directness through short paragraphs. The average length of your short sentence must not exceed 23 – 25 words. The average reduction of sentences on English prose during Elizabethan times to 19th century is ½ to 2/3. This trend still continues although in a slower phase.
Always remember that readers easily get tired on what they’re reading; short sentences are sufficient on themselves. Avoid being stuffy so that sentences will be easier to read. Most letters can be lessened and can still express the same thing. Since fuzzy words hinder clarity and make your copy difficult to understand and read, trim unessential terms on your writing. It will be good to spend a minute to organize complex details and minimize lengthy sentences.
Manage sentence length by looking into the number of lines on each sentence. A line of an average handwriting or typewritten line consists of 10 – 12 words on the average. Maintain varied sentence lengths but be wary of those which run more than 2 lines. Short sentences between longer ones can break up your copy and can present a chatty style of writing. This will also help you vary your copy’s pace and can hold the reader’s interest.
To have short sentences, use shorter words. This is the rule that is oftentimes being violated. Writers use 3 words when only 1 can explain it. Writers cannot avoid the use of 4-syllable words. Saxon words are shorter and can be a replacement to multi-syllable Latin words. Instead of using “use” and “change”, “utilize” and “modify” has commonly been used. Complicating a sentence is more of a habit which is too hard to overcome since people are unconsciously doing it.
You can also try numbered points or tick bullets. Tick bullets are more eye-catching than bullet points and can present only the most important terms on the sentences. This can thus appear only as checklist. Numbered points are also effective and serve as an introduction.
Use simple tense and avoid complicated syntax. Phrases which use future tense will let the readers read slower and tend to feel clunky. Pretend you’re writing as an English learner and avoid using continuous past tense and sophisticated grammar structures.
Make sure that your copy is simple yet understandable and this will be done by using shorter sentences. Your aim must be to keep control of your readers so that they will not switch off you. Always aim to produce a copy that conveys your message clearly to entice the readers. Use powerful short sentences and watch the success of your site from now on.
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