“Murder your darlings!”, author Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, would tell budding writers in his lecture series, On the Art of Writing. His point was simple: sometimes your favorite words are the ones that distract from the story. They may sound great, but they don’t belong in your writing. Loving them too much can get in the way of effective story-telling.
This is not a blog about writing novels. It’s about writing emails, yet the murderous advice applies perfectly. The phrases you’re most attached to might be the very words you need to cut. They’re the ones that feel polite, smart or professional but add no real value.
Phrases like In my opinion or At the end of the day clutter your message, slow down the reader, and sometimes even blur your actual point. To write emails that are clear and effective, you must learn to spot these phrases and be willing to cut them, even if they are your go-to lines.
There are three types of email darlings worth killing.
Fillers (basically, actually, just)
Fillers don’t add meaning. They merely take up real estate. People use them in conversations to buy time – sometimes to catch your breath, or think through a point. They have no place in an email. Every word you type should pull its weight and not pad the page.
Starters (In my opinion, To be honest, If I’m being frank)
Starters are confidence crutches. They are useful in meetings to draw attention or gather your thoughts. In an email, though, your reader is already tuned in. You don’t need softeners like “honestly” or “in my humble opinion” to win them over. Believe in your own words, ditch the preamble and get to the point.
Heavyweights (At the end of the day, When all is said and done, In my experience)
All of us want our words to carry weight and resonate authority, but long-winded clauses only delay your point. A concise statement lands harder than a drawn-out setup. Shed the excess baggage and let your message hit home – say it directly.
We live in a fast-paced world where long and roundabout emails get skimmed or ignored. By ruthlessly cutting these three types of fillers, your messages become:
- More decisive: You sound confident when you state facts directly.
- Easier to read: Shorter, sharper sentences keep readers engaged.
- More effective: The point you really want to make, shines through.
Murder your darlings, and watch your emails get the respect and the response they deserve.
