How to Become a Better Public Speaker and Writer – Avoid This Bad Habit

As an executive speech coach I remind clients that though a speech can sound conversational, a speech is not a conversation. I always advise speakers in preparing their presentations to edit out the words that have no meaning.

One bad habit in public speaking is starting a sentence with a meaningless “and” or “but”. I share this article from, Rob Reinalda, Executive Editor of Ragan Communications, who explains how and why writers should avoid this habit in their writing. Bob’s excellent recommendations can also be applied to public speaking and business communications. This advice can help you to choose your words carefully to build credibility, sound intelligent, and make your message understood.

How to Avoid Beginning Sentences with ‘And’ or ‘But’

It’s a ‘conversational’ writing device that, originally intended as a verbal condiment, has taken over the entire sandwich. Time to spit it out, cleanse your palate, and start over with a clean plate.

by Bob Reinalda

There’s a writing trend that drives me crazy.

AND I’m not going to tell you what it is.

BUT I’m betting you can guess.

AND I won’t have to go on much longer with this maddening affectation reminiscent of a kindergarten show-and-tell presentation.

AND I’m running out of ways to perpetuate this motif anyway.

BUT I won’t let that stop me.

As I’ve previously written, there’s a huge distinction between adopting a conversational tone and engaging in sloppy writing. The idea of “writing like you talk” was originally intended to wean corporate communicators (and others) off stilted, pedantic prose and jargon-laden gobbledygook.

Alas, we have ended up with a pandemic of people writing like a 5-year-old talks:

We went to a dairy farm. Aaaaaaand we saw cows. Aaaaaaand they milked one of the cows. Aaaaaaaand we saw an old-fashioned butter churn. Aaaaaaaand…

The occasional sentence-starting conjunction is fine. I don’t believe in absolutes; I do believe in moderation, and in “breaking rules” for a reason. But it must be done judiciously, for optimum effect.

If a writer dips into the conjunction well too often, it simply becomes a tic.

With that in mind, let’s look at five alternatives to beginning sentences—and, heaven forbid, paragraphs—with “and” or “but”:

Compound sentence

Fearing the dreaded run-on sentence—especially in the online, short-attention-span sphere—writers frequently opt for a period where a comma will do nicely.

Instead of: No job is perfect. But too often, young PR professionals complain without offering solutions.

Try: No job is perfect, but young PR professionals too often complain without offering solutions.

Granted, this almost requires one to move the modifying phrase, but that’s a plus: It’s now closer to the verb it modifies.

Semicolon

This handy little punctuation mark works best with two concise, related thoughts.

Instead of: I have eclectic taste in food. And escargots are my favorite breakfast.

Try: I have eclectic taste in food; escargots are my favorite breakfast.

Dependent clauses and segue phrases

If you have a transitional phrase in place, there’s no need for a transitional conjunction.

Instead of: And despite her professional demeanor, Nancy does have more tchotchkes in her cubicle than anyone else in the company.

Try: Despite her professional demeanor, Nancy does have more tchotchkes in her cubicle than anyone else in the company.

Taking it a step further, you could condense the phrase into a word or two.

Instead of: And despite her professional demeanor, Nancy does have more tchotchkes in her cubicle than anyone else in the company.

Try: Professionalism aside, Nancy does have more tchotchkes in her cubicle than anyone else in the company.

True, but she’ll never match Craig’s collection of troll dolls.

Simply eliminating the conjunction

The usual purpose of using “and” and “but” between clauses is to bolster or negate (respectively) the previous contention. If that support or contradiction is strong enough, there’s no need for a conjunction.

Instead of: Cooking shows are popular at our house. And we set the DVR to catch every episode of “Chopped.”

Try: Cooking shows are popular at our house. We set the DVR to catch every episode of “Chopped.”

To show contrast:

Instead of: Cooking shows are popular at our house. But we make sure to watch the evening news.

Try: Cooking shows are popular at our house. We make sure to watch the evening news, though.

The final “though” helps punctuate the contrasting pair of statements.

Substitute words

Finally, words like also, however, moreover, and the like are effective but can seem a little stuffy, so use them sparingly.

Instead of: Great-aunt Vera enjoys macramé. And one time her neighbor said macramé was stupid, so she decked him.

Try: Great-aunt Vera enjoys macramé. Moreover, one time her neighbor said macramé was stupid, so she decked him.

One last thing, please: If you do use “and” or “but” to start a sentence, omit the comma immediately after the conjunction in question. That goes for “or,” too.

Wrong: And, I mean it.

Right: And I mean it.

Thank you Rob Reinalda! You have a fan in Patricia Fripp.

This article was first published in Ragan Communications, which many of my readers already know is a great source of information on business communications! Their conferences include the Ragan Speechwriters Conference which I have been honored to keynote.

Make every word count; here are two articles by Patricia Fripp to help you, “Edit Your Speech to a Nub” and “Avoid Clichés – Like the Plague.”

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Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Patricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.