Be Specific

With a little extra effort, your writing can be clearer, more informative, and more effective. You do not always need to write more; instead, we can often be more specific.

Often, you can change one word to achieve this.

I like that dog.

OK, you like a dog. We know it is “that” dog, so it is one specific dog, but we have no idea of anything else about the dog. Change a word.

I like that labradoodle.

Great, this is more specific. From this point, adding more description of this type of dog seems fun and easy. Try adding more details or specific information.

I love that labradoodle puppy.

Yes! Now you love it, and we know it is a puppy. We can go one more step. How about a little description?

I love that labradoodle puppy with the dark, floppy ears.

Fantastic! Now we can begin to “see” or imagine this puppy more clearly. With just a few more specific words (love, labradoodle, puppy) and a brief descriptive phrase (dark, floppy ears) this sentence has become sharper, more informative, and the reader can understand so much more!