Easy edits that make your writing more human

Apr 9

writer workspace typewriter — *The tiniest edits often make the biggest difference.*

*These are the ones I see most in educational writing.*

One of the unique parts of my work is editing educational writing—everything from leadership books to classroom‑facing materials. When you spend enough time inside that world, you start to notice patterns: certain word pairs that show up everywhere, often out of habit rather than intention. I love this part of the job. It’s humbling to be trusted with texts that shape how teachers teach and how leaders lead, and it’s only one facet of what my studio works on, but it’s a facet that gives me a front‑row seat to the small language choices that make writing feel more human.

Here are a few tiny swaps I suggest all the time, and how a simple shift can make your message clearer and kinder.

1. “Rather than” vs. “Instead of”

These two phrases look interchangeable, but they create different rhythms and different levels of contrast.

rather than → softer, comparative, academic
instead of → firmer, corrective, more direct

Use “rather than” when you’re offering a gentle preference:

“Invite students to explore ideas rather than memorize them.”

Use “instead of” when you’re naming a clear replacement:

“Use visuals instead of long explanations.”

If your sentence feels too sharp, try “rather than.”

If it feels too vague, try “instead of.”

2. “Foster” vs. “Cultivate”

These two show up constantly in education books—sometimes five times in a chapter or more!

foster → supportive, relational, often used with environments
cultivate → intentional, active, often used with skills or habits

Use “foster” when you’re talking about conditions or climate:

“Teachers can foster a sense of belonging.”

Use “cultivate” when you’re talking about something that grows through practice:

“Students can cultivate stronger writing habits.”

If you’re not sure which one fits, ask:

Is this something we create space for, or something we actively grow?

3. “Allow” vs. “Enable”—and why tech writing complicates this pair

This one is deceptively tricky because tech writing uses “enable” constantly:

“This feature enables users to record audio.”
“The app enables real‑time collaboration.”

In product language, enable = capability.

It’s neutral, functional, and precise.

But in educational writing, the tone shifts.

allow

→ implies permission or gatekeeping

“This structure allows students to choose their topic.”

enable

→ can sound mechanical or clinical when applied to people

“This structure enables students to write with more confidence.”

Neither is wrong—but both can feel off‑tone depending on the sentence.

A better approach:

If you’re writing about empowerment, clarity, or support, try a more human verb:

support
help
make it easier to
give space for
create conditions for

Example:

“This structure supports students in writing with more confidence.”

It’s warmer, clearer, and more aligned with how educators actually talk.

Small word choices shape how readers feel. They can make your writing sound more human, more precise, and more aligned with the way you actually teach or lead. If you’re revising a chapter this week, try swapping just one of these pairs and see how the tone shifts. Tiny edits add up.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If you’re curious about how your own teaching, speaking, or writing instincts might translate into a book or a bigger body of work, I’d love to talk with you.

You can book a 30‑minute discovery call here: https://www.jacquiegardy.com/contact

And if you’d like a once‑a‑month note from my studio—plus my Content Repurposing Map as a welcome gift—you can join my newsletter here: jacquiegardy.kit.com/editor