The Power of Simplicity in Writing

“Simplicity is the glory of expression”- Walt Whitman.

Simplicity in writing should be the ultimate goal of any writer. Overloading sentences with complicated, misplaced vocabulary places a burden too heavy to carry on the reader. The average reader has a low attention span according to research. The writer therefore must be aware of it and then embark on his writing journey. Most readers don’t take the time to refer to unfamiliar words in a dictionary. That is the reason why any person who is into writing must use simple and understandable words.

Redundancy in any content is unnecessary, and the reader will lose interest in that content soon. This is why I feel simplicity in diction should be the mantra for any writer. Knowing the heartbeat of the audience is very essential. The blog or article must not be boring for the audience, but must be truly engaging with simplicity written all over it. In the profession of writing, political correctness can bring about harmful consequences. Mindfully using a complicated word instead of a simple word is one of the greatest sins a writer can commit. Being direct and concise is the secret to winning over the reader.

Many fear that using simple diction throughout their content would give the impression that they are a petty writer. But the reality is actually the opposite. My strong conviction has always been that there is no better vehicle other than simplicity to transport our ideas to everyone equally successfully. Clutter is a malady. Simplicity is its antidote. So simplify, simplify, simplify.