Write so that you can’t be misunderstood

If you’re like me, you probably spend a lot of your writing time trying to persuade; trying to convince the reader of some point or another. You’re intent on making sure the reader understands you. And this is fine.

However, when you’re done writing to be understood, you could try editing your work with the goal of ensuring that the reader can’t possibly misunderstand you.

It’s a reframing of the editing process that helps to be more critical of your own writing. It’s hard to get out of your own head sometimes, and taking another position can help to change your perspective, enabling you to be more critical of your writing.

It isn’t enough to write so you will be understood, you have to write so you can’t be misunderstood.

William Taft