7 Steps to Better Writing - Charles Maxwell 2020
Make positive assertions
Step 6 – Revise
State what is—do not state what is not. When expressing negative information, you often can find a simple word to replace a combination of words that start with not or without. This provides economy and enhances reader comprehension. Here are examples.
Poor: Negative Assertion |
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- |
The technician did not pay any attention to the written procedure. |
Better: Positive Assertion |
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+ |
The technician ignored the written procedure. |
Poor: Negative Assertion |
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- |
The adjuster did not include the water damage. |
Better: Positive Assertion |
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+ |
The adjustor excluded the water damage. |
Poor: Negative Assertion |
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- |
She left the report without completing it. |
Better: Positive Assertion |
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+ |
She left the report incomplete. |
Poor: Negative Assertion |
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- |
The purchasing agent did not have any confidence in the supplier. |
Better: Positive Assertion |
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+ |
The purchasing agent distrusted the supplier. |
Poor: Negative Assertion |
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- |
The error was not important. |
Better: Positive Assertion |
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+ |
The error was minor. |
In spite of this admonition to avoid negative statements, there still are many instances where negative words (no, not, neither, nor, never) work best. For example:
· We can’t go.
· There is no excuse.
· No one will attend.
· The judge did not decide.
· It never snows in Singapore.