Writing has changed greatly over the past 30 years, and it’s easy to see.
Most of this generation has abandoned the tenets of writing, and grammar has taken a solid punch in the face.
Technology’s impact on how people communicate can’t be denied.
The three sentences above could easily be woven into a traditional paragraph. The introductory sentence followed by three to The following paragraphs continue to explain the subject, introducing other points of views, ideas, and information.
That was the paragraph, the workhorse of written communication. Those days are mostly over in the electronic medium. Experts point to multiple causes of this decline, primarily because of the devices’ small screens. That’s a contributing point, but social media, emails, texts, and DMs are also major culprits – who wants to read a “wall of text”? Let’s be honest, the internet has decimated the world’s attention span. “If I can’t consume it and immediately comprehend it, I don’t have time for it.”
The next shot in the heart of the paragraph comes directly from AI. Sure, you can gather facts, give the robot a few prompts, and you’ll have a brand spanking new block of content. But what will you get? You can bet it won’t be top quality. AI content is bland and boring, and riddled with em dashes, bulleted lists, and repetitive phrases. There’s no tone or voice, making it difficult for readers to relate to the content. Without that connection, your goal of selling or influencing will never be reached. Audiences relate to what they consume.
Let’s conduct a simple test.
Here is the prompt I’m giving to ChatGPT: “Write me a paragraph for my website that sells antique typewriters, make it full of information, and also add some history to it. I want to make sure I can sell typewriters on my website. No longer than 6 sentences.”
And here’s what we get:
Discover the timeless charm and craftsmanship of our collection of antique and vintage typewriters, where history meets classic design. Since the introduction of the first commercially successful typewriter in 1874, these remarkable machines have transformed the way people communicate, conduct business, and create literature. Iconic brands such as Remington, Underwood, Royal, Smith-Corona, and Olympia became known for their quality, innovation, and distinctive styles. Today, antique typewriters are treasured by collectors, writers, history enthusiasts, and decorators for their nostalgic appeal and mechanical ingenuity. Whether you're searching for a rare collectible, a functional manual typewriter, a unique gift, or a vintage decorative piece, our selection offers something special for every enthusiast. Browse our antique and vintage typewriters for sale and bring home a beautiful piece of history!
A Simple Breakdown:
There’s no voice or tone in this paragraph, nothing that would influence a reader to become inspired and eager to purchase a vintage typewriter. The inclusion of brands is a positive, it would help with SEO, but how popular are those specific brands? ChatGPT didn’t do the right research! The closing sentence is a cookie cutter, you could use it to make gingerbread men to put under the Christmas tree!
What’s the solution?
Yes, the paragraph may be on the ropes, fighting the need for readers to get their information quick and easy. The solution is hiring a content writer who can produce punchy, informative content that accomplishes its mission in three sentences versus the traditional five.
You can also consider bullet points, they make reading easier and more digestible, but they have been overused to where they no longer serve their purpose. Headers with strong verbs can also act as a sentence – shorter is always better.
Finally, hire a professional content creator. You’ll get what you pay for: concrete content with a distinct voice and tone. And probably more than a few paragraphs. (They’re not dead yet!)
