A cliché is defined as an expression that has been used so much that the original power has been drained from it.
Examples of Common Clichés
- She was fat as a cat
- It was hot as hell in the boiler room
- He was dead as a doornail
- The house had gone to wrack and ruin
- The teacher had the eyes of a hawk
Use a Thesaurus
A thesaurus can be very useful if stuck on a word or expression. Look up the options and play around with substitutions. They may come over as nonsensical, hilarious or stupid but will undoubtedly stir up ideas. Here are a couple of examples using the clichés above.
- She was as chubby as a cub
- It was scorching as Hades in the cooking room
- He was as deceased as an entranceway spike
- The home had gone to debris and shambles
- The instructor had the perceptiveness of a bird of prey
Think of Original Expressions
There are endless possibilities in the English language for creating new descriptions. The above clichés could be rephrased as follows:
- Her skin stretched unevenly across bulges and rolls of fat
- The boiler room sucked moisture from her face, leaving it parched and taut
- All signs of life had long since drained from his body
- The house had collapsed on itself, a distorted shell of its former shape
- The teacher searched the room with radar eyes
Look for the Unusual
A writer should always be looking for ideas and inspiration is everywhere. Carry a notebook and jot down ideas as they come. Even a ride on public transport or a walk on the beach can produce some different phrases. Consider these examples: The bus absorbed passengers at one stop and disgorged them at the next. The sand whipped her ankles like a thousand angry flea bites.
Practice Writing
Practice is by far the best way to improve writing skills. Write a couple of paragraphs and then go back and weed out anything that resembles a cliché. Then try and rewrite it three or four times, using different expressions in each version. Don’t reject anything that surfaces. Rather write it down and then refine or adapt it if necessary.
Read
Good writers tend to be prolific readers and this is reflected in their work. Although they may read for pleasure, they are subconsciously absorbing grammar, structure and the finer skills of writing. Make an effort to read more, especially authors renowned for breaking out of tired, repetitive language.
With a bit of effort, it is possible to transform writing styles by cutting out clichés. Make a decision to sift out all tired expressions and overdone phrases and search continually for new and fresh ideas.
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