When you've finished your first draft and it's time to hone your prose, a good place to begin is by eliminating filler words.
Hey! What Are Filler Words?
Filler words are additions to our sentences that, rather than adding substance, dilute the clarity and impact of writing. They cling to words like little linguistic parasites, muddying the waters of our words.
The Usual Suspects
Let's familiarize ourselves with some common filler words that can infiltrate our writing:
Absolutely
Actually
Almost
Basically
Completely
Definitely
Essentially
Literally
Maybe
Notice
Perhaps
Really
Seem
Simply
Somehow
Somewhat
Suddenly
That
Up
Very
Download a handy infographic here:
Look at your WIP. Do a search for the above words. If you find one, remove the word from the sentence. Does the sentence still make sense? Congrats—you've removed a filler word!
Overcoming Filler Word Overuse
Awareness is Key
- The first step to overcoming filler words is awareness. Regularly review your writing with a keen eye for intruders.
Precision Over Quantity
- Practice prioritizing precision. Sometimes removing filler words isn't enough.
- Choose words that convey your message with clarity and impact. Which sounds better?
She ran very fast.
She sprinted.
How about this?
She sat down on the chair.
She collapsed onto the chair.
Keep practicing and you'll become a pro at avoiding filler words!
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