Three ducks by Luisa Frassier, Unsplash — After spending last month deep in reflection—especially around the ideas and conversations that surfaced at SXSW EDU—I’m ready to shift into something more practical. And after the week I just had, I’m feeling both humbled and energized: David Aderhold’s book “The Octopus Mindset: A Framework for Educational Leadership” was published (my first editing project with X‑Factor EDU!), my Marquis Who’s Who bio went live, I was announced as a featured speaker for the 2026 EFA VCON, and I booked new client work I’m genuinely excited about. It’s been a lot to take in—in the best way—and it reminded me how much clarity matters, not just in teaching and speaking, but in writing too.

So this month, I’m sharing a short series of writing tips pulled from my years as an editor and creator of teaching materials for a worldwide audience. These experiences have made me deeply sensitive to simple, reader‑friendly language. Many of us were taught to write in ways that make our ideas harder to follow: five‑paragraph essays, long warm‑ups, polite filler, and sentences that wander because we’re afraid to break them apart. Part of becoming a stronger writer is unlearning those habits and choosing structures that help readers understand us quickly. These three tiny edits are a great place to start.

Edit #1: Remove the warm‑up sentence

Warm‑up sentences don’t just dilute clarity—they also inflate word count. As an editor, I see this all the time: a paragraph starts with a line that “eases in” but doesn’t actually say anything. Cutting it makes the writing sharper and keeps the manuscript leaner, which matters during editing (many editors charge by the word) and later in publishing, where higher word counts can increase printing costs. If the paragraph still works without the first sentence, you don't need it.

Example 1: Classroom Routines

Before: “When it comes to classroom routines, it’s important to think about consistency. Students respond best when expectations are clear and predictable.”
After: “Students respond best when expectations are clear and predictable.”

Example 2: Student Engagement

Before: “There are many strategies for increasing student engagement, but one thing to remember is that choice matters. Even small choices help students feel ownership.”
After: “Even small choices help students feel ownership.”

Example 3: Teacher Reflection

Before: “As educators, we all know how important reflection is. A five‑minute debrief at the end of the day can reveal patterns you’d otherwise miss.”
After: “A five‑minute debrief at the end of the day can reveal patterns you’d otherwise miss.”

Edit #2: Cut one filler phrase

In Toastmasters, there’s an “ums and ahs” counter whose only job is to track the filler words you don’t even realize you’re saying. The same thing happens in writing, except the fillers show up as phrases like in order to, it’s important to note, or the reality is. They sneak in when we’re trying to sound thoughtful or formal, but they rarely add meaning. The good news: unlike speaking, you can edit them out with one quick cut.

Example 1: Lesson Clarity

Before: “In order to help students understand the task, make sure your directions are short and concrete.”

After: “To help students understand the task, make sure your directions are short and concrete.”

Example 2: Professional Learning

Before: “It’s important to note that teachers often need time to practice a new strategy before it feels natural.”

After: “Teachers often need time to practice a new strategy before it feels natural.”

Example 3: Classroom Communication

Before: “The reality is that students respond better when they know what success looks like.”

After: “Students respond better when they know what success looks like.”

Edit #3: Don’t Be Afraid of Connected Punctuation

There’s been a surprising amount of debate lately about whether using em dashes makes writing look “too AI‑generated.” I see the opposite in my editing work: em dashes and semicolons are often the most efficient tools for creating clear, readable sentences. Avoiding them doesn’t make your writing more human—it usually just forces you into longer, more complicated constructions. And for the record, punctuation choices don’t make AI detection any easier. Use the tools that help your ideas land cleanly.

Example 1: Em Dash for Clarity

Before: “Students need time to practice new skills, and this is especially true when the strategy is unfamiliar.”

After: “Students need time to practice new skills—especially when the strategy is unfamiliar.”

Example 2: Semicolon to Join Related Ideas

Before: “Teachers often collect great formative data, but they don’t always have time to use it. This is why quick routines matter.”

After: “Teachers often collect great formative data; quick routines help them use it.”

Example 3: Em Dash to Cut a Filler Phrase

Before: “The truth is that students learn more when they can see examples of strong work.”

After: “Students learn more when they can see examples of strong work—models make expectations visible.”

Clear writing isn’t about big overhauls—it’s about small, intentional choices that help your ideas land. These three edits take only a few seconds, but they make your paragraphs cleaner, tighter, and easier for readers to follow. Start with one, and your writing will immediately feel lighter.

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