There’s No Such Thing as Very Unique: Tips and Tools for Precise Business Writing

Anyone who has a passing familiarity with email, blog platforms and online communities probably reads and writes more words per day than our grade school grammar teachers could have ever imagined.

But with no one to mark up our run-on sentences with red ink, we’ve gotten a little sloppy. We rely on what sounds right or what we’ve seen other people publishing. But clear, precise writing that actually conveys what it is supposed to stands out from the herd – whether it’s executed in 140 characters or as an industry white paper. Luckily, clear writing is just a few hacks away.

Don’t be so emphatic. Like the title says, there’s no such thing as very unique. Unique means one of a kind. A handful of other words are also absolute in their meanings: complete, infinite and perfect are examples. But instead of memorizing all the words that can’t be modified, ask yourself if you need the modifier at all. Words like really, very, actually and totally have become language placeholders. Must you be very excited? Isn’t excited enough? Maybe you’re just thrilled?  There are plenty of good modifiers out there, but the above are repeat offenders of poor writing.  Make sure you need them before you use them.

It’s OK to think. In fact, it’s preferable. Feeling and believing are great for some things, but when you’re giving advice, reflecting on a problem or trying to make a decision that has implications beyond what’s for lunch, people want to see the wheels turning. You think, therefore you write think.

Know what I mean? All the retweeting and reblogging that happens every day encourages us to pick up and reuse words and phrases that we only sort-of understand. Begs the question, for instance, does not mean that the question arises. When in doubt, Google it. There are also a whole host of apps that will help ensure you’ve got it right.

Say it another way. Step away from clichés, platitudes and common turns of phrase. That’s right – it’s time to dust off your thesaurus. Better yet, go online.  Visual Thesaurus makes this once-stuffy reference downright sexy, showing related words and how they’re connected via a slick and engaging interface. It also makes clear the difference between two supposed synonyms. Never write “entrepreneurial” when you really mean “enterprising” again!

Finally, keep it simple. The goal is not to create a magnum opus during your daily routine of firing off emails. Instead, focus on providing clear, concise messages that can’t be misinterpreted. Read everything twice, use spell check and if you’re not sure if it’s grammatically correct, go ahead and rewrite it a different way. That’s what the pros do.