Writing With Clarity
While it is easy to get carried away by using complex language and industry jargon, clarity should be the primary concern in writing. A good writer ensures the message gets across in the simplest way possible. This ensures readability, comprehension, and engagement on the part of the reader.
For instance, if you're writing an article in the technology domain, eschew the use of difficult terms. A reader may not be familiar with these words, decreasing their likelihood of having a good reading experience. Instead, simplify the language and make your content easily understandable.
The Value of Simplicity
Simplicity goes a long way in making your work more digestible. It allows the reader to understand the key points and ideas with minimal effort. Furthermore, repeating key points in a simplified way can also reinforce the message to the reader, therefore improving retention of the content.
Also, articles written in plain, simple language are more likely to have a wider audience reach. The reason being that the content can be easily translated into multiple languages, benefiting non-native speakers of the language in which the article has been written.
Writing for SEO
When it comes to writing for SEO purposes, simplicity is key. This is because search engine algorithms are designed to understand plain language and content that is easy to read. They are not equipped to comprehend complex sentence structures and jargon.
Furthermore, articles that have a simple language will likely rank higher in search results. This is because these articles will have a higher chance of meeting the user's intent, leading to greater traffic and engagement.
Avoiding Catchphrases and Colloquialisms
In the quest to get your content across in an original and attention-grabbing way, it can be tempting to use catchphrases, idioms, and colloquialisms. However, these can sacrifice subtlety and conciseness for fleeting amusement or novelty.
These strategies can pose challenges for readers who do not share the same vernacular as the writer. Such language can be confusing and can deter international audience from engaging with your content.
Effective Article Titling
A good title is a gateway to the article. Just as the article should be plain and simple, so should the title. It must be short, direct, and devoid of any complexity. It should also give a clear indication of what the article is about.
Avoid clichéd phrases such as 'delve into' or 'detailed analysis' as these can give an impression of complexity. Rather, aim for user-friendly language that can easily be understood.
Comprehensive Yet Concise
Just because your language is simple does not mean your content should be shallow. It is important to strike a balance between being comprehensive and being concise. Your article needs to be in-depth, but not at the expense of readability.
Keep sentences and paragraphs short. This has been found to increase readability, as large blocks of text can make an article look boring and intimidating. Short sentences and paragraphs make it easier for the reader to grasp your point and stay engaged.
Avoiding Certain Phrases
There are many phrases that seem to have infiltrated online content to the point of saturation. Phrases like 'unraveling', 'the evolution of', 'understanding', and 'exploring' are now so commonplace that they risk being cliché and predictable.
For this reason, it is best to avoid these overused phrases and find innovative ways to communicate the same thing while keeping the user in mind all the time.
SEO and Content Layout
Another crucial component of writing effective articles for SEO is the layout. The article should be broken down into sections, each with its own subheading. This makes the article easier to scan and increases readability.
The use of bullet points and numbered lists can also be helpful, as it makes the information easy to digest. This is especially important in how-to articles and listicles, as readers want to extract information quickly and accurately.
Keeping It Fresh
Despite using simple language, strive to keep your content fresh and original. This can be achieved by constantly updating yourself with new trends and developing your own unique style of writing.
Always remember that the content you provide should provide value to the reader. If they find it helpful, informative, and easy to understand, chances are you'll earn regular readers and boost your content's SEO ranking.
Final Words
So there you have it. Simple language matters when writing articles. It not only helps in increasing reader comprehension and engagement but also in improving SEO ranking of your content.
Remember, your objective should be to write content that resonates with readers and provides value. And the best way to do this is by keeping it simple.