How to avoid clichés in proofreading
Our online proofreading and editing course will teach you how to identify and replace clichés and inappropriate material.
Clichés make copy very predictable. They are bland, overused and dull. They can cloud the truth or the meaning.
Your job is to find sparkling alternatives: ways of saying things that make the copy unique and noticeable. You should find words that excite, motivate and hold the reader’s attention without resorting to using old, worn clichés.
However, there may be certain in-house phrases that the client prefers to use, if, for example, they are part of their branding, which should not be removed. Find out at the briefing stage what these are.
But, you should be on the lookout for other clichés. Here are a few that you may recognise:
- It was as easy as pie.
- They sold like hot cakes.
- We’ll save it for a rainy day.
- It takes two to tango.
There are plenty more listed here: https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/cliches.html
This will make you realise how much people rely on clichés.
So, how do you eliminate clichés? Here is an effective process:
- Identify the clichés. Mark them with a highlighter pen, or underline them if you are editing onscreen.
- Ask yourself what, exactly, the writer is trying to say. Don’t jump to conclusions. Not everyone uses clichés in the same way.
- Rewrite the phrase in plain, simple English, making sure your version accurately reflects the meaning in the original. A dictionary or thesaurus may help.
Example
Highlight the clichés:
Medical supplies are so few and far between that even people who are as sick as dogs cannot get treatment.
What is the writer trying to say?
“Few and far between” means: scarce.
“Sick as dogs” means: seriously ill.
Rewrite the phrase:
Medical supplies are so scarce that even people who are seriously ill cannot get treatment.
The same rules and processes apply to slang and bad language. But, as ever, check the client’s brief. They may want slang expressions included.
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