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The Superlative: Don’t Resort to Them As an Excuse
Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content , with 750K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.
An online devotional for writers
A Word From The Word
They spread this bad report about the land … “All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants..” (Numbers 13:32-33, NLT)
A Word For Writers
A superlative is an exaggerated expression. It’s huge, amazing, phenomenal, outstanding, awesome – or any other term that overstates and inflates.
When used excessively, a superlative is clickbait, designed to sensationalize and get attention rather than offer a substantive comparison to other high-quality items.
But when a superlative is used truthfully, it makes a point. We see this in scripture. Bible superlatives place a person or object in comparison to another in an honest way.
- Nimrod was the greatest hunter in the world (Genesis 10:9) – when compared to other hunters.
- Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth (1 Kings 10:23) – when compared to other earthly kings.
- Moses was the most humble person on earth (Numbers 12:3) – when compared to other people who walked on earth.
When the twelve spies were sent by Moses returned from their reconnaissance mission to Israel, their first report was a good one. The people were large, the cities were fortified, but the land was fruitful.
But then, when Caleb proposed an invasion, the twelve launched into superlatives: the Canaanite people were stronger … huge … giants.
Their superlatives were an excuse. It’s one that kept Israel from the Promised Land for forty years.
In writing, superlatives are an excuse. They are a lazy writer’s way out. Facts, proof, an example, or a better word are much more effective.
A Wise Word
Superlatives are a lazy writer’s way out.
A Word To Pray
Gracious Father,
I want to write truthfully. Show me how to use descriptive language rather than exaggerate. Let me be diligent as I choose my words.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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The Mixed Metaphor: Confusing or Memorable?
The Comparison: Give Your Reader a Point of Reference ...
The Positive Word: Long Term, It’s More Persuasive ...
The Comparative: Great, Greater, Greatest Give Clarity ...
The Keywords: Use Them Spotlight Your Content Message. God Does!
The Synonym: A Clever Way to Repeat Yourself and Write Persuasively ...
The Power Word: This One Is Simple, But It Moves Readers to Act ...
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