Comments on: 10 Words to Avoid in Your Writing http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:33:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Janet Swisher http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-58210 Janet Swisher Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:46:58 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-58210 Here's my nomination: Leading Everybody is "a leading" fill-in-the-blank, where what comes next is so narrowly defined that *of course* you're the leading one of those. Unless you are "*the* leading" fill-in-the-blank (because you are, say, Walmart or GE), it's a completely empty word. Here’s my nomination: Leading

Everybody is “a leading” fill-in-the-blank, where what comes next is so narrowly defined that *of course* you’re the leading one of those. Unless you are “*the* leading” fill-in-the-blank (because you are, say, Walmart or GE), it’s a completely empty word.

]]> By: Unsung Zero http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-56272 Unsung Zero Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:33:50 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-56272 Mark, you may have been joking, but I think you are on to something. How about the term "white paper"? As a telesales rep, it is part of my script to "send you some white papers". An interested contact almost always asks for some "white papers". Internally, we needed to "update our white papers". Does anyone else get sick of it? Just mix it up a bit, no matter what the term. New terminology (in my experience) for the same thing tends to temporarily wake people up from their repetition-induced automation that they slip into every morning at 9:00, to actually listen to you if for only a second. Mark, you may have been joking, but I think you are on to something. How about the term “white paper”? As a telesales rep, it is part of my script to “send you some white papers”. An interested contact almost always asks for some “white papers”. Internally, we needed to “update our white papers”. Does anyone else get sick of it? Just mix it up a bit, no matter what the term. New terminology (in my experience) for the same thing tends to temporarily wake people up from their repetition-induced automation that they slip into every morning at 9:00, to actually listen to you if for only a second.

]]> By: Mark http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-55262 Mark Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:02:25 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-55262 A bit of a left turn, but terms like "open the kimono" and "kick the tires" drive me bonkers. I'd also add: - Optimize (maybe anything with "---ize") - Net-net (and other two word combos, like "win-win") - Value added - White paper (*grin* - just seeing if you're still reading). Best, Mark A bit of a left turn, but terms like “open the kimono” and “kick the tires” drive me bonkers.

I’d also add:
- Optimize (maybe anything with “—ize”)
- Net-net (and other two word combos, like “win-win”)
- Value added
- White paper (*grin* - just seeing if you’re still reading).

Best,
Mark

]]> By: Florent V. http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-55160 Florent V. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:01:08 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-55160 “utilize” and “maximize” are great, but they can't beat “leverage”. “utilize” and “maximize” are great, but they can’t beat “leverage”.

]]> By: James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-55107 James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:12:38 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-55107 @ Christie - Oh, I am so with you. I can't STAND "utilize"! Talk about lofty! @ Harry - Scalability means it can grow with your business. I think. Another overused word: Maximize. @ Christie - Oh, I am so with you. I can’t STAND “utilize”! Talk about lofty!

@ Harry - Scalability means it can grow with your business. I think.

Another overused word: Maximize.

]]> By: Christie http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54708 Christie Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:34:52 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54708 The big one for me is "utilize". Totally overused and a technical term. How about that good old-fashioned word instead - "use"? The big one for me is “utilize”. Totally overused and a technical term. How about that good old-fashioned word instead - “use”?

]]> By: Linda Harris http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54148 Linda Harris Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:09:56 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54148 I'm tired of hearing "unpacking" as in "unpacking these concepts." When I consider a concept (which is probably overused, too) I hardly think of unpacking. I’m tired of hearing “unpacking” as in “unpacking these concepts.” When I consider a concept (which is probably overused, too) I hardly think of unpacking.

]]> By: Harrison McLeod - Web Content Writer Tips http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54141 Harrison McLeod - Web Content Writer Tips Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:42:48 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54141 I was just thinking about this yesterday. The one word I'm tired of seeing is "ensure". Not sure if it fits here, but I'm worn out with it just the same. @James: Scalability? If that's a programming/graphics term, I've never used it. Sounds like boardroom presentation filler to me. @ Johnathan: Here's one - elucidation. I was just thinking about this yesterday. The one word I’m tired of seeing is “ensure”. Not sure if it fits here, but I’m worn out with it just the same.

@James: Scalability? If that’s a programming/graphics term, I’ve never used it. Sounds like boardroom presentation filler to me.

@ Johnathan: Here’s one - elucidation.

]]> By: Manya Chylinski http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54085 Manya Chylinski Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:29:41 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54085 Mike, To 'cutting edge' I'd like to add 'bleeding edge.' Maybe that's not really an overused word. But it sure it one that raises my hackles. And let's do find a new to say 'mission critical' and 'features and benefits." I use 'em. And wish I could offer some better terms, but I'm stumped. Thanks for sharing, Manya Mike,

To ‘cutting edge’ I’d like to add ‘bleeding edge.’ Maybe that’s not really an overused word. But it sure it one that raises my hackles.

And let’s do find a new to say ‘mission critical’ and ‘features and benefits.” I use ‘em. And wish I could offer some better terms, but I’m stumped.

Thanks for sharing,
Manya

]]> By: hikdis57 (Over Googled) http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54077 hikdis57 (Over Googled) Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:51:50 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/06/10-words-to-avoid-in-your-writing/#comment-54077 Hi Mike, I'm new to your sphere; however, a friend sent me here to freshen up on what words to quit using in my sales pitches (lol)! You have an excellent list, and a lot of very funny commenters! Personally, I think the work "automation" is very over used! Every offer I find in my field (mlm) seems to want people to believe that generating an income is done by a form of "automation"! However, I did find one guy - James Brausch at http://www.freedombusinesssystem.com/ , seems to have a fresh look for people wanting to know just how much work an Internet business takes. And James doesn't ever imply that it is a form of "automation". In fact, he does not mince business words at all... lol! Just what word should replace "automation" in the business world... "work"? Hey Mike, I'm sorry for taking so much of your space! I have really enjoyed reading your post, and the comments of your followers. I should be back quite often! Thanks for the insight... Don Hi Mike,

I’m new to your sphere; however, a friend sent me here to freshen up on what words to quit using in my sales pitches (lol)! You have an excellent list, and a lot of very funny commenters!

Personally, I think the work “automation” is very over used! Every offer I find in my field (mlm) seems to want people to believe that generating an income is done by a form of “automation”!

However, I did find one guy - James Brausch at http://www.freedombusinesssystem.com/ , seems to have a fresh look for people wanting to know just how much work an Internet business takes.

And James doesn’t ever imply that it is a form of “automation”. In fact, he does not mince business words at all… lol!

Just what word should replace “automation” in the business world… “work”?

Hey Mike, I’m sorry for taking so much of your space! I have really enjoyed reading your post, and the comments of your followers. I should be back quite often!

Thanks for the insight…
Don

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