Don't go there: avoiding clichés

When I learned that the people at Factiva (a company that maintains a searchable database of news articles) have been tracking the most used clichés in journalism, I said to myself, “That is SO going on my blog.”

What’s a cliché? According to TheFreeDictionary.com, it’s a “trite or overused expression or idea.”

Like “Don’t go there.” Or “That is SO going on my blog.” 

I’m not going to say “Never use clichés,” because there are times when you will decide that, yes, that overused expression is actually the way you want to say something. For humorous effect, perhaps.

But be aware of how easily they can sneak into your writing. They come from many sources, such as movies (“Show me the money!”), television (“Is that your final answer?”), sports (sports metaphors can easily become hackneyed, like “hitting a home run” applied to a major non-baseball achievement), and the internet, of course.

The best defense against clichés is to ask yourself, “Are those my words, my thoughts? Or am I just parroting a cool phrase I picked up somewhere?” 

Comments

[Corndog]

But it's much easier to be a parrot. Especially if you want to catch a pirate!
Point taken, avoid cliches like the plague! (hehe)