{"id":9765,"date":"2015-07-17T14:33:44","date_gmt":"2015-07-17T21:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-crowdcontent.com\/?p=9765"},"modified":"2023-10-26T04:11:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T11:11:22","slug":"cliches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowdcontent.com\/resources\/writer\/university\/style\/cliches\/","title":{"rendered":"Cliches"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cliches<\/h2>\n

A cliche is a phrase that is so overused that it\u2019s become meaningless. Using cliches makes you seem boring, uncreative, and lazy.<\/p>\n

Identifying Cliches<\/h3>\n

The first step to eliminating cliches is identifying them. If you\u2019re using a phrase that you\u2019ve heard before, it\u2019s likely a cliche. You can also search for a cliche here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Cliches can be long:<\/span><\/p>\n

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.<\/p>\n

The grass is always greener on the other side.<\/p>\n

Or short:<\/span><\/p>\n

Achilles\u2019 heel.<\/p>\n

My bad.<\/p>\n

Kick ass.<\/p>\n

Once upon a time (did you notice that?), these phrases were meaningful, witty, and descriptive. But their popularity has worn away their charm.<\/p>\n

Eliminating Cliches<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve spotted a cliche in your writing, think about what it means and how you can express that meaning in a unique way.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cliched:<\/strong> Erin used to write by the book, but now she lets freedom ring.<\/p>\n

Not cliched:<\/strong> Erin used to fastidiously follow grammar \u201crules\u201d. Now she embraces the freedom of creative writing: splitting infinitives and starting sentences with conjunctions whenever she wants.<\/p>\n

The second sentence is more descriptive; \u00a0it specifically explains how Erin\u2019s writing has changed, rather than just giving a vague idea that it\u2019s become more freer.<\/p>\n

Using Cliches<\/h3>\n

Once in a blue moon, such as when you\u2019re writing about cliches, it\u2019s okay to use a cliche. Make sure that your writing is informal, since cliches are worst in formal writing, and then consider why you want to use a cliche.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the best use of cliches is the ironic cliche. If you\u2019re writing about marketing, you can turn around the cliche \u201ca rose by any other name would smell as sweet\u201d by showing how much brand names matter.<\/p>\n

The problem with cliches is that they\u2019re uninteresting. But if you can make them interesting, then you don\u2019t have to avoid them like the plague. Okay, okay, I\u2019ll stop my cliches now.<\/p>\n

Learn More:<\/p>\n