Tip for wafflers: get binary
Words in your sentences are only two types:
• words that have meaning
• words that glue everything together
So try this
1. Identify the words with meaning
2. Delete everything else
3. Arrange the words as a sentence using as few glue words as possible
Waffly example:
To apply for a Flexi-Debit card, the physical bank account’s operating authority needs to be changed to ‘any one person’ to be authorised to operate the account (rather than ‘any two jointly’, as the authority currently stands).
1. Identify words with meaning
To apply for a Flexi-Debit card, the physical bank account’s operating authority needs to be changed to ‘any one person’ to be authorised to operate the account (rather than ‘any two jointly’, as the authority currently stands).
2. Delete everything else, and we’re left with
Flexi-Debit card account’s operating authority changed ‘any one person’
3. Arrange the words as a sentence
To get a Flexi-Debit card, we need to change our account’s operating authority to ‘any one person’.
Why does this technique work?
It stops you asking ‘which words can I delete?’ and starts you asking ‘which words should I keep?’
It makes you ruthless – in a good way!
👀 See an example of a trimmed technical email with all the waffle gone
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