Writing and editing

Short form vs long form for decision-making

People perform better when they’re not drowning in data

The more information you have, the better decisions you can make, right?

Wrong.

It turns out that doctors make better diagnoses when they have less information.… Read the full article

Short-form digital content helps readers choose

Too many options paralyze people

Here’s a famous story among persuasion researchers and Malcolm Gladwell fans:

When a researcher offered shoppers 24 types of jam, many customers stopped by for a sample, but only 3% made a purchase.… Read the full article

Let’s get real

How much time will readers spend with your message?

Talk about TMI: Your readers receive the data equivalent of 174 newspapers — ads included — every single day, according to USC’s Annenberg School for Communication.… Read the full article

Try these 5 ChatGPT prompts for writing clearly

ChatGPT wrote this article. (Well, sort of …)

I had Mexican Monday with one of my favorite tech friends the other day. “Ann,” he says, “when are you going to start helping your clients use ChatGPT to write better messages faster?”… Read the full article

When to use an adjective or adverb

Use them to change, not intensify, meaning

Beware adverbs, counsels The Poynter Institute’s Roy Peter Clark.

Too often, they dilute the meaning of the verb or repeat it: “The building was completely destroyed.”… Read the full article

When to use adverbs and adjectives

‘Applewood-smoked bacon’ just tastes better

Turns out a Southwestern Tex-Mex salad by any other name would not taste as good.

Vivid menu descriptions — “applewood-smoked bacon,” “Maytag blue cheese” and “buttery plump pasta,” for instance — can increase restaurant sales up to 27 percent, according to research by Brian Wansink.… Read the full article