Plain language editing

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A meaningful strategic dialogue has been established.
We are talking to each other.
An illustration of the method is provided.
Here's how to do it.

Can you see what’s happening here? I’m making words disappear. But I haven’t made the meaning disappear. I've done this to show that you can write less and mean more. Some people call this plain English, plain language or clarity. I call the clear words ‘lean’.

Light – Exciting – Active – Natural

Light:  Lean words are easy to read. They look fresh and uncrowded on the page and there is more room for key content. Lean words are easy to write, too. You’ll find you can organise your ideas better and stay in touch with your main topic.

Exciting: Lean words excite your reader. Give clear, positive messages and you will inspire your readers to do what you want them to do – pick up the phone, download your brochure, buy your stuff. They understand what's in it for them.

Active: When you write lean, you put your readers in the driving seat and let them take control. They don’t stumble over difficult abstract ideas and wonder if they are intelligent enough to keep up. They understand your message and take it in at their own pace. And if they pick up speed they can move on to read more, and do more.

Natural:  Lean words write themselves. You don’t have to stare at a blank sheet of paper or an empty screen, wondering what you are going to write. You start with your readers’ questions and answer them as if you were in the same room. Along the way, you’ll find the keywords that help them to find you in the search engines.

Do you want to create leaner reports and website content? Call me on 07773 325603 or email. I can edit your document for you – or better still, show you how.