By Danny Mathew, Content Manager at Verbly Integrated Communications
If you’re a fan of “The Office,” you might remember Kevin Malone’s famous line, “Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick.” While it’s easy to dismiss this as a joke, there’s actually some wisdom to be found in his words when it comes to effective communication – saying more with less. So, is writing less really the secret to saving time? Well, sometimes it is, especially if it means more of your target audience will actually read your copy.
You are viewing: The Power of Precise Writing: Saying More with Less
1. Trimming the Fat
We all have habits from our personal lives that spill over into our work, and for me, it’s decluttering. I like to keep my personal space tidy, only keeping things that I use regularly. The same principle applies to copywriting – I call it “trimming the fat.”
Let’s take an example – a rough draft that can be a bit messy. Here’s an excerpt:
“The Office” episode titled “Dinner Party” portrays the awkward dynamics that ensue when Michael Scott, the socially awkward regional manager, invites his coworkers, including Jim and Pam, to his eccentrically decorated condo for a dinner party. As the evening unfolds, Jan, Michael’s emotionally volatile girlfriend, adds to the discomfort with her peculiar behavior, including cringe-worthy attempts at karaoke and showcasing her musical talents. The episode’s genius lies in its ability to blend humor and character development, resulting in a memorable showcase of the show’s signature style.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, it does contain unnecessary details that don’t add value to the summary. By trimming the fat, we can capture the core idea without taking up too much of the reader’s time:
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“The Office” Season 4’s “Dinner Party” is an episode that portrays the awkwardness and tension that arises when Michael invites his coworkers to his condo. Jan’s peculiar behavior and strained dynamics create uncomfortable yet humorous moments.
By trimming away the excess, we convey the necessary information in a more concise and effective manner.
2. Don’t Ration Out Paragraphs
There’s no rule that says paragraphs must be a certain length. Instead of sticking to a specific number of lines, aim to convey one idea per paragraph. If the idea is too large, split it into sub-units that build up to the final point you want to make.
Let’s take another example:
Kevin Malone, portrayed by Brian Baumgartner in “The Office,” is a beloved character known for his endearing simplicity and quirky personality. He works in the accounting department at Dunder Mifflin and often provides comic relief through his unique way of thinking and speaking. Despite his slow-witted demeanor, Kevin displays unexpected moments of wisdom and competence, such as his adeptness at poker. His love for food, especially his famous chili disaster, is another defining trait that adds to his charm. Kevin’s interactions with coworkers, like his friendship with Oscar and a brief stint as a bar owner, showcase his versatility within the show’s comedic framework.
This passage provides a lot of information, but it can be overwhelming as one solid wall of text. By breaking it into multiple paragraphs while still trimming the fat, we make it easier for readers to digest and maintain their interest:
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Kevin Malone, portrayed by Brian Baumgartner in “The Office,” is known for his endearing simplicity and quirky personality. He works in accounting, often providing comic relief through his unique thinking and speaking style.
Despite his slow-witted demeanor, Kevin displays unexpected moments of wisdom and competence, such as his adeptness at poker. His love for food, especially the infamous chili disaster, adds to his charm.
Interactions with coworkers, like his friendship with Oscar and brief bar owner stint, showcase Kevin’s versatility within the show’s comedic framework.
By giving each idea its own space, we give readers room to breathe and maintain their attention throughout the copy.
And if you’re feeling bold, you can even use one or two words in a paragraph for emphasis, although this should be used sparingly. When adding spaces, be mindful not to break in the middle of an idea that could confuse the reader.
As Michael Scott once said, “Sometimes I’ll start a sentence, and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way.” Starting your first draft can be challenging, but by letting your thoughts flow freely and then using tools like trimming the fat and thoughtful paragraph breaks, you can create copy that says more with less.
In the end, you’ll have a polished piece of copy that captures attention and keeps readers engaged.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
