Why Clear Writing Wins
- A lot of students think sounding “smart” means writing long, complex sentences packed with big words.
- But writing that way is equivalent to that one friend who never gets to the point.
- Instead of impressing teachers, you frustrate them.
- If your ideas are buried under fluff, you’re not analysing. You’re performing.
- Clear writing is not just about using simple words.
- It's about being precise, concise, and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
What Examiners Want
- Contrary to popular belief examiners aren’t trying to catch you in a "gotcha" moment.
- They’re looking for:
- A clear point
- A precise technique
- A thoughtful insight
- If they can’t follow your thinking easily, they can’t give you marks, even if your ideas are good.
Clarity helps your reader follow your argument without confusion.
Rules of Clear Writing
Say What You Mean. Then Stop.
- Never use a long word if a short one will do.
- Good writing is never about sounding fancy. That's called performance.
- Good writing is about getting to the point.
- Unclear writing: “The poet utilises an abundance of vivid natural imagery in order to symbolically represent the multifaceted nature of human despair.”
- Clear writing: "The poet uses natural imagery to symbolise human despair.”
- The first version is bloated. The second lands with impact.
Be Clinical. Cut The Fluff.
- Fluff is anything that adds no meaning.
- Kill phrases like:
- In my opinion…
- It can be argued that…
