May 13 2008
Be Positive About Negatives
For readers, affirmations are more clear and direct than disaffirmations. Here are a few examples:
Disaffirmation: He was not handsome.
Affirmation: He was ugly.
Disaffirmation: She was not honest.
Affirmation: She was a liar and a cheat.
Disaffirmation: The morning was neither warm nor dry.
Affirmation: The morning was cold and wet.
Using the negative phrasing of disaffirmations gives readers the feeling that you are beating around the bush. Better to give it to them straight – even though what you’re giving them is negative. In other words, write positively about negatives. Use affirmations rather than disaffirmations. They are cleaner and easier to read.
There is an exception to this rule: Sometimes disaffirmations are preferable because they soften the blow of bad news or deflect blame. For instance …
Disaffirmation: Your test results aren’t exactly what we wanted them to be.
Affirmation: Your test results are horrible.
Disaffirmation: Profits for the quarter were not as high as anticipated.
Affirmation: Profits for the quarter fell sharply.
Disaffirmation: The report was not turned in on time.
Affirmation: We turned in the report late.
Granted, this rule is not one of the most exciting rules (it’s a boring rule), but it will not have a negative effect on your writing (it will improve your writing) if you follow it.
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