1. Keyword Stuffing: The SEO Tactic from a Bygone Era
Keyword stuffing is the practice of unnaturally forcing a target keyword or phrase into your text repeatedly, hoping to rank higher on search engines. This is an outdated and ineffective strategy that makes your writing clunky and unreadable.
Why it's a problem: Modern search engines like Google prioritize user experience. They reward content that people actually read, engage with, and find valuable. Keyword-stuffed text does the opposite—it annoys readers and signals low quality to algorithms.
Bad Example:
The pisco sour is Peru’s signature drink. If you have never had a pisco sour, here is what you should know. The pisco sour is a mix of sweet and tangy, and the pisco sour’s texture changes from foam to liquid while you drink it. The pisco sour’s foam is made from raw egg whites.
Good Example:
Peru’s signature drink, the famous Pisco Sour, has a taste quite unlike any other. It’s a curious mix of sharp tang and sweet, and its texture changes from cloudlike foam to icy cold in the time it takes for the liquid to break through its wall of raw egg white.
2. Starting Every Sentence with Conjunctions
Frequently beginning sentences with coordinating conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) or subordinating conjunctions (Although, Because, Since, Unless) is a hallmark of amateur writing.
Why it's a problem: While starting a sentence with 'And' or 'But' can be effective for stylistic flow when used sparingly, overdoing it makes your prose sound simplistic and conversational in a way that lacks authority. It's a common trait of hastily written, low-paid content.
Bad Example:
But, what are the best restaurants in Miami?
Good Example:
What are the best restaurants in Miami?
3. Using Filler Phrases and Verbal Clutter
Filler phrases are words and expressions that add length but not meaning. Common culprits include "in order to," "so that you can," "you need to," and "the fact that."
Why it's a problem: Professional writing is concise and impactful. Filler words weaken your sentences and make your message less direct. Cutting them forces you to be clearer and more assertive.
Bad Example:
Before traveling, make sure to check for visa requirements of your destination country. This is important in order to understand if you can enter the country.
Good Example:
Before traveling, check your destination country’s visa requirements. You may need to apply for one in advance, and your embassy’s website is the best source of information.
4. Avoiding Singular Possessives
This subtle habit involves phrasing things passively instead of using a direct possessive form. For example, writing "the requirements of the country" instead of "the country's requirements."
Why it's a problem: Using the possessive case ('s) creates stronger, more direct, and more concise sentences. It's a small change that significantly improves the authority and flow of your writing.
Bad Example:
...the visa requirements of your destination country...
Good Example:
...your destination country’s visa requirements...
5. Relying on Indirect Speech
Indirect speech is writing that talks _about_ something happening in a roundabout way, rather than stating it directly. It often involves extra, unnecessary words.
Why it's a problem: Direct speech is clearer, more engaging, and gets to the point faster. It makes your writing more vivid and active, capturing the reader's attention instead of lulling them with passive descriptions.
Bad Example:
There was the one who had told us the Palace had been closed and walked the whole way there with us when we didn’t believe him.
Good Example:
There was the one who told us the Palace was closed and walked the whole way there with us when we didn’t believe him.
6. Overusing Vague Qualifier Words
Words like "generally," "usually," "probably," "often," and "typically" can weaken your statements when overused.
Why it's a problem: While sometimes necessary for accuracy, these words can make you sound uncertain. Authoritative writing is specific. Instead of saying something is "usually" true, state the facts and then mention the exceptions.
Bad Example:
The metro generally operates between 6:00am and 11:00pm.
Good Example:
The metro operates between 6:00am and 11:00pm, with extended hours on weekends and exceptions for public holidays.
7. Clinging to the "First, Then, Finally" Structure
This involves explicitly telling your reader the structure of your list or process with words like "First," "Next," "After that," and "Finally," especially when you're already using a numbered or bulleted list.
Why it's a problem: It's redundant and patronizing. If your list is numbered, the numbers already guide the reader. This structure feels like a grade-school essay, not a professional article. Trust your reader to follow along without hand-holding.
8. Starting with a Dictionary Definition
Opening an article with "According to Merriam-Webster, a digital nomad is..." is one of the quickest ways to lose credibility.
Why it's a problem: It's a lazy opening that signals you don't have your own authoritative definition or a compelling hook. You are the expert; your article should demonstrate that from the very first sentence. Start with a surprising statistic, a relatable anecdote, or a bold statement that grabs the reader's attention.
