"Game-changer, you say?" That’s a paddlin’💥🏏
A wake-up call for tired writing 👴
A 90-year-old substitute teacher enters a 2nd-grade classroom, wooden paddle in hand to tell the kids:
"Talking out of turn? That's a paddlin'.
Lookin' out the window? That's a paddlin'.
Staring at my sandals? That's a paddlin'.
Paddlin' the school canoe? Oh, you better believe that's a paddlin'."
That was Jasper Beardsley during Springfield's '95 teacher's strike. But has original writing gone on strike too?
If so, the surge of empty buzzwords is a plague we can beat back together.
It's 2024, and the paddle is making a comeback.
"Let's dive in." Whack! That's a paddlin'.
"Delve, unlock, leverage, tapestry" That's a paddlin'.
"Fire, fam?" Oh, you better believe that's a paddlin'.
I use AI to elevate my writing.
"Elevate" damn it. That's a paddlin'.
My paddlin' debt is astronomical. Not because of AI, but because I've been stuck in an echo chamber, reading the same rehashed content on repeat.
That’s why I've compiled a list of 41 phrases to avoid if you want to make your short-form scripts more precise and less buzzwordy.
Let's make writing fun to read again – one whack at a time.
The paddle-wackin’ list of no-nos
Avoid like the plague. Use them only to paraphrase, quote, or mock the term itself. Use your best judgement.
Here’s Stephen King on his sworn enemies: adverbs.
Replace adverbs for buzzwords
I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs, and I will shout it from the rooftops. To put it another way, they're like dandelions. If you have one on your lawn, it looks pretty and unique. If you fail to root it out, however, you find five the next day...
In the end, my dearest dear. It’s up to you. Here is the list:
Overused buzzwords:
Game-changer / game-changing
Innovative
Cutting-edge
State-of-the-art
Transformative
Revolutionary
Groundbreaking
Unnecessary transitions:
8. Let's dive in
9. It's important to note…
10. In today's digital world…
11. Hope this message finds you well
12. Let's explore
13. In this article/guide/blog post…
14. In summary/conclusion…
Vague terms:
15. Tapestry
16. A testament to…
17. Master the art of…
18. Next level
19. Elevate
20. Captivate
21. Leverage
22. Resonate
23. Endeavor
24. Unleash
25. Unlock
Clichés:
26. In the ever-changing world of…
27. Navigate
28. Set sail
29. Begin a journey, start a journey
30. Uncharted
Fillers:
31. Showcase
32. A mixture of, an array of
33. A wealth of, a rich source of
34. Multifaceted
35. Spread through
36. Pervade
Unnecessary Modifiers:
37. Enhance
38. Fine-tune
39. Optimize
Forced slang:
40. Fam
41. Fire
If you want to become a better short-form storyteller using AI, sign up for my free newsletter at www.atomicstories.net ✏️❤️⚡️
See you on the next one! 🫶
Matias.