Comments on: Why Simple Words Move Readers

By: TerryHeath.com: Kick Ass Blog to Help You Demystify Writing | WritingToExhale

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:45:34 +0000

[...] Why Simple Words Move Readers [...]

By: Warren Zevon and the Art of Humor in Writing | Word Sell, Inc.

Warren Zevon and the Art of Humor in Writing | Word Sell, Inc. — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:12:52 +0000

[...] an earlier post I talked about how Warren Zevon used simple words to move readers. Zevon also excelled in humor – he may have been the wittiest lyricist in all of [...]

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:57:35 +0000

Erica, thanks for your comment! Talking their language is why sales experience is a great thing to have, wherever you work.

By: Erica DeWolf

Erica DeWolf — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:43:34 +0000

Great post- simple words are indeed the best- you don’t want to make paragraphs too long, or make your customers think when writing to sell. Talk in their language.

Thanks!

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:35:46 +0000

Andrew, that’s a good test. People don’t like to feel they’re being talked down to, either, which is another reason to avoid big words. That said, I enjoy learning new words, which is why I started the Words for Nerds series.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:00:44 +0000

My brain feels the same was as Karen’s! When I read, I want the writer to communicate a message, not give me a vocabulary test.

I think it must have been Einstein who said that an educated man takes a simple idea and makes it complex, but a genius takes a complex idea and makes it simple.

I have a rule. If there is more than one word per page (or per post, in the case of blogging) which an intelligent reader would struggle to understand, then the writer has used too many complex words. At that point, I personally do away with the post or article.

Effective writing is about communicating a message, not showing off the superiority of one’s vocabulary.

Cheers

Andrew

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:14:23 +0000

Karen, yes! Reading is so much more fun when you get into a flow.

By: Karen Putz / DeafMom

Karen Putz / DeafMom — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:01:36 +0000

I like simple words. My brain doesn’t have to stop and think like when I stumble across complicated ones.

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:09:58 +0000

Thanks, Joanna. Much of what I’ve recently learned about simple writing technique came from you and your blog community.

By: Joanna Young

Joanna Young — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:06:50 +0000

Brad, you know I’m a fan of simple words too. I agree with you on this:

“Because simple words are imprecise, they give us room to interpret and respond emotionally.”

They also speak directly & personally. Your reader feels a sense of connection, and wonders: how did they know I was feeling like that? Because the words have enough room for them to work in their own meaning & story. It feels if the writer could see inside their head, and heart.

Love the post, keep them rolling

Joanna