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How Can You Avoid Sounding Pompous In Your Writing?
Use these 12 words sparingly or you’ll look stuffy
By day I do freelance editing for a magazine that publishes print and online articles by four generations of writers, ranging from older members of Gen Z to boomers. In that job I’ve noticed a paradox:Gen Z writers often sound more pompous than boomers.
The reason — as far as I can tell — is that the younger writers are trying to imitate others while the older ones, over time, have found their voice. The boomers and Gen Xers have also learned that most media, including the magazine I edit for, want writing that’s conversational but not sloppy.
Why do editors dislike pomposity?
Pompous writing sounds unnatural and often pretentious. You think when you read it, “Nobody speaks that way.” Its artificiality can put off readers, or make them suspect you’re being dishonest or condescending to them.
Yet pomposity is on an alarming roll amid the proliferation of cable TV shows on both sides of the political fence. Windy or self-important speech is a fallback position of talk-show hosts and guests who’ve run out of things to say but have air time to fill.
