It’s a tricky one, this. You need to come across as knowledgeable in your writing, but when you overdo it, it can be off-putting to your readers.
Braggarts don’t receive favour from almost everyone. Everyone finds them boring.
People who say they have the best house, fastest car, biggest bank balance, live in the best place in the world, have the best children, and so on, become boring.
Most people prefer people who are modest but confident in their knowledge and skills.
So how can you identify sources of being overbearing in your writing?
It’s best to stick to the facts rather than exaggerate them.
Avoid using big words when simple words will do. Rather than saying, I used my phalanges to open the bottle, simply say you used your fingers.
Also avoid using foreign language phrases unless they are pertinent to your message.
Don’t use technological, scientific, or medical terms unless you have to use them, but then provide the meaning in brackets so everyone can understand them.
If a word is only going to be known by 12 people on the planet, avoid using it altogether.
Sometimes you need to show off your credentials, experience, or skills. If you are confident in your level of experience or expertise, there’s no harm in letting others know how good you are. Just don’t overdo it. T
The main point about all of this is that when you write, you want people to like you, not dislike you. People dislike braggarts and show-offs. They want to hear from real people who sound like them.
I cover these points and many others in my writing service, where I can help you get started with your writing or with revisions. Contact me if you feel you need advice.
