A critical element of strong writing is the need for brevity. There are several useful tips that will help keep your writing short and concise. Eliminate imprecise and unnecessary words. "Basically," "generally" and "sort of" clutter rather than communicate. Words such as "very," "really" and "pretty much" weaken your writing and make you sound uncertain. Use action verbs and the active voice. "Liz galloped the horse down the track" communicates a stronger and more compelling image than "the horse was ridden by Liz." An awareness of these few simple points will go a long way toward honing your writing.
Effective writing has a clearly stated purpose that is supported with specific detail. A clear understanding of the scope and purpose of a written report or article is necessary to provide supporting documentation in a well-organized manner. Determine the points that develop your main thought and present them in a structured manner that builds toward the conclusion. Each supporting paragraph or section exists to flesh out the essay's main objective.
Select words that have a precise meaning and avoid over reliance on adjectives and adverbs. "Her hand moved shakily" can be better stated as "her hand trembled." Accurate and vivid word usage gives your writing an emphatic voice and also provides engaging description. Precise word selection paints a descriptive picture and draws the reader into your writing. "The burgundy rose" is a far more compelling image that "the red flower." When in doubt, rely on the old adage and "show, don't tell."
Paragraphs are the building blocks of writing. A well-crafted paragraph is crucial for effective communication. State your topic, then expand on it and reinforce it with the balance of the paragraph. Vary paragraph and sentence length within the paragraph. Be aware of your audience. Paragraphs written for the Internet tend to be shorter so you may need to break a long paragraph into several components for greater readability.
The key elements of style are not hard-and-fast rules meant to rob your writing of individuality; rather they are the clean-up crew that helps you get rid of the weaknesses that distract from powerful and effective communication. Integrate these principles into your writing process to free your voice from vague and annoying usages. Rather than undermining your writing with hesitant and wordy language, you will be able to select and implement a tone, whether humorous or cautionary, that expresses your thoughts with eloquence.