Chris Shugart on Writing


typewriter

Effective copywriting and editing is much more than catchy words that look and sound good. If you want a message that has impact and is quickly understood, your choice of words is critical. They must be laser precise.

Sometimes it's tempting to use buzz words and popular phrases to give one's prose a contemporary flavor. But such an approach can betray a lack of understanding of the subject one is attempting to convey. Trendy expressions are easily overdone and can dilute your message.

Though it might seem counter-intuitive to the seasoned adman, sincerity sells. The skilled copywriter easily recognizes the difference between meaningless hype and genuine style.

Read Shugart writing samples

Lou Rawls—Versatility Redefined   From the 2003 Monterey Bay Blues Festival program
Lefty O'Doul—The Legend that Baseball Nearly Forgot   Back cover notes
Baseball and Bureaucrats   Editorial from the American Association of
   Independent Voters Website
Dry Creek Land Co.    Info pack for real estate investors
Chris Cain, 2004 Monterey Bay Blues Artist of the Year   From the 2004 Monterey Bay Blues Festival program
Gonzo But Not Forgotten —
The Strange and Terrible Legacy of Hunter S. Thompson
   Editorial from the American Association of
   Independent Voters Website