1. Identify the Key Elements
* What is the specific issue? Be clear and concise about the problem you're experiencing.
* What is the desired outcome? What do you want the recipient to do about it?
2. Eliminate Unnecessary Words and Phrases
* Redundancy: Avoid repeating the same idea in different ways. For example, "I am writing to complain about..." can be shortened to "I am writing to complain..."
* Filler words: Words like "very," "really," "actually," and "just" often don't add value.
* Indirect language: Avoid phrases like "I feel like," "I think that," or "It seems to me." Stick to direct statements.
* Unnecessary details: Focus on the core issue and avoid irrelevant information.
3. Use Strong Verbs and Concise Language
* Active Voice: Use active voice ("The product broke") instead of passive voice ("The product was broken").
* Strong verbs: Choose verbs that convey the intensity of the situation (e.g., "The service was unacceptable" instead of "The service was not good").
* Concise sentences: Keep sentences short and to the point.
Example:
Original: "I am writing to complain about the fact that the delivery of my order was very late and it was really frustrating for me. I think that it is unacceptable that I had to wait so long for my package."
Revised: "I am writing to complain about the late delivery of my order. The extended delay was unacceptable and caused significant frustration."
Remember: The specific words to eliminate will depend on the nature of your complaint and the context. Focus on clarity, directness, and impact.