Discuss the words or phrases a writer must avoid in order to build goodwill

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Building a successful business or career requires building goodwill. Because words play a vital
part in establishing goodwill, a skilled communicator chooses words or phrases that the reader
and listener can both understand and appreciate. In general, this means choosing positive
rather than negative terms, presenting information directly and without repetition, and using
fresh and current expressions rather than outdated and overused ones.
Words result in negative responses when the reader feels blamed or accused. Most expert
business writers consider "failed," "careless," "delay," and "inexcusable" to be negative words,
regardless of how the words are used, and they recommend avoiding these words. Actually,
such words are unpleasant primarily when they are accompanied by "you" (you failed) or
"your" (your delay).
Words that are repetitious are a waste of the reader's time. Such words clutter the message
and can distract, delay understanding, and reduce emotional impact. The italicized words in
the expressions "adequate enough," "bothalike," and "past experience" are unnecessary and
should, therefore, be omitted.
Words that are out of date suggest that the writer is behind the times. For example,
"esteemed, kindly," and "via" are out-of-date words that must be avoided.
Replacing overused words with more exact and colorful terms can make your writing lively and
interesting. The adjective "good" is overused and weak: a "good" maneuver, a "good"
negotiator, a "good" speech, a "good" worker. Instead, for greater interest, say a "clever,"
"smart," or "skillful" maneuver; a "patient," "forceful," or "crafty" negotiator; an "eloquent,"
"informative," or "engrossing" speech; a "qualified," "intelligent," or "competent" applicant.
Clichés are overworked expressions such as "crystal clear," "needs no introduction," and "at a
loss for words" that lost their strength long ago. The use of clichés exposes a lack of
imagination—the tendency to repeat the familiar, even when the familiar is not worth
repeating. Clichés waste time, obscure ideas, and bore readers and listeners.