Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life

Todd Rogers on Why Your Writing Is Likely All Wrong

Oct 23, 2023

Todd Rogers, Harvard professor and behavioral scientist, discusses the importance of making writing more accessible in our fast-paced world. He emphasizes the writer's role in simplifying content and making it reader-friendly. The principle of 'less is more' is highlighted, along with the vital importance of editing to improve communication. The podcast also touches on data breaches, generative AI software, and the impact of formatting in written content.

42:05

Episode guests

Todd Rogers

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The writer has a responsibility to make content accessible and reader-friendly, shifting the burden away from the audience.

Simplicity, clarity, and making the reading experience effortless are key principles for effective writing in a fast-paced and busy world.

Deep dives

The importance of writing for busy readers

Writing for busy readers is crucial as people are overwhelmed with information and tend to skim rather than read in depth. It is the responsibility of the writer to ensure that the key information is easily understood and accessible.

Introduction

3min

Writing for Busy Readers: Condensing and Communicating in the Real World

16min

Data Breaches, Privacy Protection, and Podcast Recommendations

4min

Making Important Information Stand Out and Conveying its Importance Effectively

7min

The Role of Generative AI Software in Writing

8min

Appreciation for a Writing Technique and Gratitude to the Guest

3min

This week I was excited to speak with Todd Rogers about the new book that he co-authored with Jessica Lasky, Writing for Busy Readers: Communicate More Effectively in the Real World. Todd is a professor of public policy at Harvard University, where he has won teaching awards for the past seven consecutive years. He is a behavioral scientist and cofounder of the Analyst Institute and EveryDay Labs. His opinion pieces have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Politico, among others.

In this conversation, we delve into the importance of making writing more accessible and reader-friendly in our fast-paced and busy lives. Todd illustrates the six scientific and common sense principles behind more effective, concise, and readable writing. Drawing inspiration from user design thinking, Todd also challenges the traditional notion that it's solely the reader's responsibility to extract information from the text. Instead, he emphasizes the writer's role in making content accessible and reader-friendly, shifting the burden away from the audience.

The principle of "less is more" takes center stage in this chat as we explore how using fewer words and simplifying content can lead to more effective communication. We also address the vital importance of editing with the purpose of making writing easier for the reader, more effective, kinder, and more accessible. In closing Todd addresses the ways that we can use tools such as ChatGPT and AI software to become better editors and content creators.

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