Today’s prompt is: Describe your ideal writing style and tone.
Introduction
I love teaching people things they were unaware of or just weren’t very clear on. And I like to do it in a memorable way. I am a sucker for informative yet entertaining content so that’s what I try my best to do with my writing.
I remember being in school or job training classes and trying my best not to fall asleep. The instructor was so boring and their voice was so monotonous. It drove me nuts. When I got the chance to teach classes I did everything that I could think of to keep my classes engaged and awake. That’s what I aim to do here.
If you’re still bored, AWAKE UP!
Yeah, I’m kinda crazy 🤪. You’ll get used to it.
Understanding the Audience
I learned how to read a room when I was an instructor. Whenever that sleepy look would come over the students’ faces, it was time for an activity. We played different games and I gave out candy and dollar store prizes. Everything I did had a purpose, so the games were word find, Jeopardy, and trivia. All of the activities reiterated what was covered in the training material.
With writing, I try to do something similar. But being that understanding my readers requires them to comment, if there’s no engagement, I just have to guess and hope for the best.
Elements of an Informative Style
To make sure your content is informative, you have to be clear about the points you’re trying to make. And please do your research. Don’t just tell people stuff that you pulled out of thin air. Many people can tell when you’re just making crap up. That’s not cool and you will lose readers and credibility.
If you don’t have first hand knowledge of something, find some. One of my teachers told me that being smart isn’t necessarily about knowing everything but being able to find the information when you need it. Find credible sources when you go in search of answers.
Elements of an Entertaining Style
If you’re a fan of standup comedy like I am, then you learn how to tell a joke or two. The best jokes are the ones that are based on real-life. Sometimes I’ve said things from a movie that I’m sure 80% of my audience was familiar with and it got me a few laughs. When people laughed, it woke up the folks that had fallen asleep despite my antics.
In writing, I mostly use emojis 😃, ALL CAPS and bold letters to break up the monotony. I may throw in a joke or a movie reference. But to tell you the truth. Most people can’t HANDLE the truth so I try not to do a lot of that because it can become distracting after a while.
Finding the Balance
The best content is both informative and entertaining. That’s the best kind. People will remember you if you make them laugh or cry all while teaching them something they really needed to know.
You have to experiment to figure out what works with your readers. Maybe one week you just do funny posts and the next week do some more serious content. Then start mixing up the two styles and pay attention to the comments section. If things get too cringe 😬 folks will let you know.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Don’t over do things. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. My dad says you can give a kid too much ice cream. I don’t think I ever had too much ice cream but I got his point. Balance is the key.
The Ever-Evolving Nature of Writing
Keep in mind that things change over time. What was cool one year may not be cool the next. Learn to adapt and be open to new approaches to your writing style. Sometimes reading my old material brings tears to my eyes. Not because it was so beautifully written or because of the subject matter.
It was just bad.
Please continue to improve and make a conscious effort not to bore your readers to death.
Conclusion
Crafting an engaging and informative writing style requires a delicate balance between clarity, entertainment, and relevance. By understanding the audience, incorporating informative elements backed by credible research, and using humor and relatable anecdotes, a writer can captivate readers’ attention and leave a lasting impression.
However, it’s crucial to avoid overdoing techniques and to remain adaptable to the evolving landscape of writing styles.
Ultimately, the goal is to create content that educates, entertains, and resonates with the audience, leaving them both enlightened and eager for more. So, let’s keep experimenting, learning, and evolving to ensure our writing remains fresh, engaging, and impactful.