Clarity is one of the most important factors in successful storytelling, especially in feature writing, where stories often delve deep into complex subjects. No matter how fascinating the subject is, if readers struggle to understand or follow the story, they’ll quickly lose interest. So how do you make your feature story shine with clarity? Let’s dive into some key strategies on editing.

Why clarity is crucial in feature writing

A feature article is typically longer than a news piece, offering rich, nuanced insights into a topic. However, with length comes the risk of losing focus or confusing the reader. Unclear writing is like hitting speed bumps while driving. Readers might pause, become frustrated, and ultimately abandon the article. If your story is clear, it flows effortlessly from one point to the next, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

In feature writing, clarity doesn’t just mean writing simple sentences. It means:

• Crafting a logical flow that makes the story easy to follow.
• Anticipating readers’ questions and answering them as they arise.
• Eliminating anything unnecessary that could slow down the reading experience.

A well-edited, clear story ensures that readers remain absorbed, connecting with the story and its message.

Strategies for improving clarity in feature stories

1. Cut the clutter

One of the most effective ways to enhance clarity is to remove unnecessary words, phrases, or jargon that don’t add value to the story. These filler words can create roadblocks, making it difficult for readers to grasp the key points. Feature stories can run 2,000 to 4,000 words—sometimes more. With that much content, even small instances of clutter can add up and overwhelm the reader.

Tip: After writing your first draft, read through the piece and remove any sentences or phrases that don’t advance the story or provide valuable insight. Does a sentence restate something said earlier? Does a wordy phrase like “due to the fact that” clutter your paragraphs when “because” would suffice? Don’t be afraid to be ruthless when trimming your story down for clarity.

2. Step into the reader’s shoes

It’s easy to get lost in your own knowledge of a topic, especially after investing hours in research and writing. As writers and editors, we know a lot about the subject—but the reader might not. It is important to take a step back and read your story from the perspective of the audience.

Tip: Ask yourself: Who is my reader? What might they find confusing or unfamiliar? For example, if you’re writing for an audience unfamiliar with certain jargon or acronyms, be sure to explain these terms clearly. At World Vision, where Glassby works, they often encounter situations where the global nature of their stories requires converting metric measurements into miles or explaining local currencies in terms of US dollars. This reduces unnecessary friction for the reader, allowing them to stay focused on the narrative.

3. Address confusing points early

One of the main tasks when editing for clarity is to anticipate potential reader questions. Are there moments in your story where the reader might pause and think, “Wait, what does that mean?” If so, make sure those questions are addressed promptly. If your story involves technical details, geographical references, or niche terminology, give your reader the context they need early on.

Tip: As you read through the piece, mark any spots where you feel a question arises. If the answer comes later in the article, consider bringing it forward to avoid any unnecessary confusion. You want to create a seamless reading experience that flows logically from start to finish.

4. Avoid speed bumps

Speed bumps in storytelling happen when sentences are overly complex, ideas are jumbled, or the narrative meanders without direction. Each of these speed bumps disrupts the reader’s experience and pulls them out of the story. Readers shouldn’t feel like they’re working to get through the article—they should glide through it.

Tip: Smooth out your story by breaking up long, complex sentences and ensuring that each paragraph serves a purpose in advancing the narrative. Use clear, concise language, and keep transitions between ideas natural and fluid.

5. Test the story’s flow

Once you’ve addressed potential issues and trimmed the clutter, do a final read-through focusing on the story’s overall flow. Does each section logically lead into the next? Are there any abrupt shifts in tone or topic? This is where structure comes into play (more on that below).

Tip: Read your story aloud to hear how it flows. When you stumble while reading, your reader likely will too. Catch those moments and adjust them for better flow and clarity.

By focusing on clarity during the editing process, you’ll create stories that not only captivate readers but also ensure they stay engaged from the first word to the last. Editing for clarity is a vital skill that can transform your good feature article into a great one, helping your story shine.

**This is based on the workshop “Strengthening the story: Feature editing to make your stories shine” presented by Kristy Glaspie. You can watch the full workshop on-demand for free.**