Title: Enhancing Content Quality: Our Essential Banned Word List for Writers
In the rapidly evolving world of content creation, ensuring originality and clarity is paramount. At our content operation, where we produce between 30 to 40 pieces daily for both our brand and clients, we’ve identified a significant challenge: the prevalence of overused phrases and filler language that muddy the message. While many might criticize AI-generated content, the real issue lies in the repetitive vocabulary that has crept into writing, often rendering it dull and hollow.
Recognizing this problem took us some time, but we eventually pinpointed that the source of the lackluster drafts wasn’t the technology used to write them, but rather the acceptance of clichéd expressions and filler phrases by our writers. To combat this, we developed a comprehensive banned word list, which every new team member receives on their first day. The purpose of this list is clear: any content that includes these terms will not go live, regardless of whether it’s authored by a human or generated by AI.
Banned Verbs and Phrases
Our first category focuses on verbs and phrases that dilute the strength of writing. If a draft incorporates any of the following, we encourage our writers to rewrite the entire sentence, not just substitute the word:
- delve
- delve into
- delving into
- dive into
- enable
- enhance
- ensure
- facilitate
- foster
- navigate
- revolutionize
- seek to
- underscore
- unlock
- unveil
Banned Filler Phrases
Next, we tackle filler phrases that add little substance and should be eliminated at first glance:
- a leap towards
- a testament to
- all about
- akin to
- at the end of the day
- crown jewels
- designed to enhance
- every step of the way
- game changer
- get a grip
- hustle and bustle
- in conclusion
- in summary
- in the heart of
- in the realm of
- in today’s digital era
- it depends on
- it is advisable
- it’s important to note
- it’s worth noting that
- low-down
- not just about
- not only
- on the other hand
- out of the box
- that being said
- the world of
- train wreck
- unsung hero
- when it comes to
- you could consider
- you may want to
Banned Paragraph Starters
The way a paragraph begins can dramatically affect its momentum. To maintain flow and engagement, we discourage the use of the following introductory terms:
- Additionally
- Alternatively
- Also
- Although
- Arguably
- As a professional
- As a result
- As previously mentioned
- As well as
- Because
- Consequently
- Despite
- Due to
- Essentially
- Even if
- Even though
- Furthermore
- Generally
- Given that
- However
- Importantly
- In contrast
- In order to
- Indeed
- Notably
- Similarly
- Specifically
- Subsequently
- Therefore
- Thus
- To consider
- To put it simply
- To summarize
- Ultimately
- Unless
- While
Banned Atmospheric Words
Lastly, we’ve identified a selection of atmospheric words that simply do not reflect authentic communication. These terms should be avoided altogether:
- beacon
- crucible
- dance
- enigma
- gossamer
- labyrinth
- labyrinthine
- metamorphosis
- moist
- nestled
- remnant
- soul
- symphony
- tapestry
- treasure
- whispering
Conclusion: Fostering Authentic Communication
The ultimate test for our team is straightforward: we ask ourselves if the content sounds like something an actual person would say in a meeting. If the answer is no, we initiate a rewrite. Adopting and internalizing this banned word list encourages writers to move away from clichéd language and fosters a culture of genuine communication.
We believe that by training ourselves out of relying on these overused expressions, we not only elevate our content but also connect with our audience in a more impactful way. Feel free to incorporate these principles into your own style guides or writing prompts, and together, let’s work towards eliminating ineffective jargon from our communication. If you have any questions or wish to discuss our content strategies further, please reach out. We’re here to help!
