1. Remove – Cut common words and phrases from your prose unless you’re using them to prove a point.
2. Recycle – Make a twist on a timeworn phrase instead.
Example: “The grass is always greener.”
Revised: “The grass is always greener over the septic tank.” ~ Erma Bombeck
3. Research – Visit sites such as Cliché Finder for examples of clichés if you’re not sure if you’ve used them. Look up words or phrases in a dictionary or in a thesaurus to find fresher alternatives with the same meaning. Read more about your subject matter to get a better idea of what others have already been written about it.
4. Replace – Describe something in an unpredictable or an unexpected way. Modifiers, such as adjectives before nouns, are sometimes clichéd.
Example: A thin veil (a veil is already thin, so “thin” is unnecessary).
Revised: A black veil made of Victorian lace.
5. Reorganize – Clichés are often a symptom of literary laziness. If your document overall is clichéd and doesn’t offer a new perspective, restructure it to revitalize your approach.
Quotes
“Avoid clichés like the plague.” ~ William Safire
“Most of my clichés aren’t original.” ~ Chuck Knox
Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.
Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com
