Alone at last , Sarah allowed the thoughts she’d been trying to push away to come forth

I’m asking this because I have an interesting scene in my mind to take place during the funeral in my book, but it would require it to be raining (more so, the people need to have umbrellas). Later in the story, a storm sweeps through the neighborhood, so do you think it would be less cliche for the character to just visit the grave when it’s raining?

It may take some work to find new ways to say something you’ve relied on clichés to say for you.

Two exercises I have used for this is to pick a vocabulary list and only use words on that list to compose a thought. It’s amazing how creative you can get when forced into a narrowly defined list of words. The second exercise is to simply remove a letter from the alphabet and provide ground rules that say the letter â??g’ (or any other letter you choose) can not be used in the thought you are working through. If a word you want to use has â??g’ in it you will need to find an alternative word.

The primary use for colloquialisms is in fiction writing where period dialect dictates that an overused phrase that was commonly used during the time period of the story should be used. In these cases common phrases of the era may simply help identify the setting and the mannerisms of the character.

In Christian writing common colloquialisms are often referred to as â??Christianese’. These phrases have meaning for those who know Christ, but often sound like some sort or code to those who are not Christians. It is in the best interest of Christian writers to find alternative ways to convey truths that have been reduced to â??Christianese’.

However you look at colloquialisms it is safe to say that these common phrases have their roots in something most often forgotten. For instance the term, “the whole nine yards” is a term that is often used to describe an all encompassing amount. The original phrase came about during Word War II to describe the effect of machine guns mounted on air craft. If all the ammunition was used in one run it covered 27 feet or “the whole nine yards”. While the original meaning is no longer connected with the term, its original intent was maximum coverage and that’s what the colloquialism represents today.

The primary word of caution is to minimize the use of common terms, phrases or slang whenever possible. If the slang is present day it will likely be passé before your piece can be published and will sound dated. If the slang is from the past, but is overdone it may sound like a visit to â??Cliché Town” according to fellow author David Ian.

When you proof your manuscript look for phrases that seem familiar, chances are very strong that the line has been overused and will minimize the impact you desire for your piece. If possible find a new way to convey an old truth. You, your publisher and your reader will be glad you did.

“No, no you’re perfect. The problem isn’t you, it’s me”
“I’m sorry I’ve got something in my eye” *sniff*
in some cases ” aa dunya ahiret bacimsin”

Read more on Guardian Unlimited

Read more on Independent Online

Not only do you confuse readers because there is a possibility that they will not be sure what message really meant, the danger of having clichés in you color printing ad copy lets your target readers misinterpret and create meanings from your ad that is totally out of context. Even if you do not intend to do it, you are giving your target audience the opportunity to come up with their own connotation which might actually lead them to reject what you have to offer.

Clichés are very common to see in the headlines of color printing ads. It is like most business owners and a few marketers are thinking that clichés are great attention getters. I mean, it is as if they believe that their target readers would actually be interested in the humor or even the twisted meanings that a cliché offers.

But after reading your headline, what do you think would be the reaction of your target readers? Yup. They are probably thinking what the heck you are talking about. And if I am right, they might even be questioning the relevance of your cliché headline to what you can do actually.

This is the number one rule in copywriting: do not use clichés in your ad copy, especially in your headlines and sub-headlines.

This rule has been in many articles and how-to columns before, online and even offline. But the ubiquity of it reflects that not so many have heeded the call for its obliteration.

There is only one way for you to actually get your target readers’ attention. Provide them with provocative and appealing headlines and sub-headlines that make them want to think of what you can do to satisfy their needs.

Let us face it. If you let your audience trip from your headline and sub-headline, you’re letting an opportunity to slip away. Getting them hooked and wanting to read your ad copy is the main objective of every headline and sub-headline. You got to provide a copy that would make them want to think about themselves and what you can do for them.

And not just any attention-getting headlines, mind you. You need ‘thought-provoking’ headlines that engage your readers. Do not miss out on the opportunity to make your message stick. Make them want to take the time out to read more and get more details of your business.

Clichés just do not make it as far as ‘thought-provoking’ is concerned. You’re just losing your position every time you use it in your ad copy.

Know how to break free from using cliches in your ad copy with the help of a professional and well-experienced commercial color printing company.