The Writing Guy

Varying your register multiplies the range, energy and vitality of your writing. A fun look at synonyms for common words.

A key concept in writing, register is the scale of language formality. Scott explains how it works and why it matters.

Scott rails against emotionless, dehumanised, technocratic writing that fails to connect with the reader.

How replacing one formal word in a mega bid document with a more personal word can transform it and lessen the burden on bidders.

Nounitis - the over-use of nouns - is a common condition afflicting corporate writing. Scott shows you how easy it is to cure it and add impact to your writing at the same time.

More examples from literary greats of the iambic pentameter, plus some of Scott's novice attempts.

Rhythm - whether in poetry, boxing, daily routines or constellations traversing the heavens - lies at the heart of almost everything we do. Scott indulges in a riff on rhythm, from a skate park in south-west London.

A poem I penned May 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, whose neck was knelt on for nine minutes by Police Officer Derek Chauvin. The murder ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Power of 'You', multiple personality disorder and why 'audience' doesn't serve good writing.

Two interesting findings from 2012 research into the use of language in legal documents - further making the case for plain English.