| KISS...or Keep It Simple Shirley...is the number one | | | | step at a time. Don't try to combine multiple |
| thing that all article writers should strive for. There | | | | points in one paragraph. You're going to lose your |
| are a variety of reasons. This article is going to | | | | reader. Also, you want to keep your paragraphs |
| give you the number one reason and a few ways | | | | relatively short. Paragraphs of 3 -5 lines are usually |
| to keep it simple. I hope after reading this, you'll | | | | the best length. |
| understand that writing an article doesn't have to | | | | After you are done telling the reader what you |
| be rocket science. | | | | wanted to tell them, finish up with a short |
| Okay, the number one reason why you should | | | | paragraph summarizing the main points of the |
| keep your writing simple is this. The average | | | | article. Most people have short attention spans |
| reading level of people in the United States (the | | | | and bad memories. By the time they're at the |
| bulk of your audience) is about eighth grade. If | | | | end of your article, they're probably forgotten |
| you start to write like Hemingway, you're going to | | | | what you said in paragraph two. So a summary |
| lose them...period. There is no point in trying to | | | | helps...a lot. |
| impress a population whose idea of great | | | | Finally, in all of this, don't talk over your reader's |
| literature is Mickey Spillane. By keeping things | | | | head. Don't try to use fancy words like |
| simple, you stand a much better chance of | | | | Honorificabilitudinitatibus just to try to impress |
| actually getting through to your audience and | | | | somebody. Not only won't they be impressed but |
| getting them to do whatever it is you want them | | | | they're also going to be confused as heck by the |
| to do AFTER they are done reading your article. | | | | time they're done reading. Nobody wants to have |
| So, the question is, how do you keep things | | | | to consult a dictionary when reading an article. |
| simple? Well, for starters, you should begin each | | | | There you have it. By preparing your reader in |
| article by telling your reader what it is that you're | | | | advance for what the article is about, keeping |
| going to be telling them, sort of like in summary | | | | things to short paragraphs, summarizing at the |
| form. That's pretty much what I did with this | | | | end and finally staying away from long words that |
| article. In case you've forgotten, read paragraph | | | | nobody is going to understand, you give your |
| one again. | | | | article the best chance to be understood and |
| After you have told your reader what you're | | | | acted upon. |
| going to tell them, do it as plainly as possible...one | | | | That's what makes a good article. |