This is one of 10 essays I offer as we close 2021 that I hope will help broadcast journalists tell stronger stories in the year ahead. Mark Twain offered some writing advice about adjectives: ...

Mostly, verbosity arises in our attempt to elaborate or paint a clear picture. Elaboration itself largely depends on the use of modifiers. Sometimes, we seem to be more mindful of the content (of ...

A behind-the-scenes blog about research methods at Pew Research Center. For our latest findings, visit pewresearch.org. There are a variety of tools that can help researchers analyze large volumes of ...

Introduction Mostly, verbosity arises in our attempt to elaborate or paint a clear picture. Elaboration itself largely depends on the use of modifiers. Sometimes, we seem to be more mindful of the ...

Have you ever wondered why some writing feels vivid and engaging while other texts seem flat and lifeless? The secret often lies in the strategic use of descriptive words, specifically, knowing when ...

The Pope wants us to stop using so many adjectives. In a speech on Monday to the Dicastery for Communications, the Vatican’s communications authority, Pope Francis urged people not to describe ...