Noise in Writing: Unwanted Elements that Hinder Clarity

Virtually every writer is guilty of unwanted or distracting elements, also known as noise.

Noise in written communication refers to anything that hinders the intended message of the writer from being clearly understood by the reader.

Just like unwanted sound can scramble a radio transmission, noise can scramble the meaning of written content.

Using overly complex words or jargon (specialised language) that your audience may not understand is a form of noise in written communication. 

Also, grammatical errors like typos, punctuation mistakes, and grammatical stumbles can make your writing confusing to read.

Organisational problems in writing can lead to noise. If your writing lacks a clear structure, it can be difficult for readers to follow your line of thought.

Similarly, missing context can lead to noise in writing too. For instance, if you assume your readers know something they don't, they may misinterpret your message. 

Why you should pay attention to noise while writing 

In writing, "noise" doesn't necessarily mean external sounds, but elements that distract from your core message. Writers should be aware of the noise for a few reasons:

1. Clarity and Focus: recall, irrelevant elements can confuse readers. Unnecessary words, cliches, or unclear sentence structure all create noise. Paying great attention to noise helps to make sure your writing is concise and clear

2. Emotional Impact: Great writing brings to mind emotions. But noise can silence the impact. A forced metaphor, a predictable plot twist, or an unbelievable character can take readers out of the emotional moment. By paying rampant attention to noise, you can ensure your writing resonates with readers on a deeper level.

3. Engagement: Writing noise can pull readers out of the story. This is also applicable to background noise, as it can distract the audience during a physical event. However, a boring sentence or irrelevant details can make readers lose interest. By minimising noise, you keep readers engaged and carried away in your world.

Your writing needs to be free from noise to get your message across and have an impact on your readers.

Types of noise

Different types of noise can creep into writing; they are:

• Semantic noise: This arises from misunderstandings about the meaning of words. It can be caused by using jargon, complex sentence structure, or grammatical errors. Moreover, if the reader gets hung up on the way something is written, they might miss the bigger picture.

• Technical noise: This simply means issues with the format or transmission of the writing itself. For example, a poorly formatted document with typos can be distracting and make it hard to focus on the content. By being aware of these different types of noise, writers can take steps to minimise their impact and make sure their message is communicated clearly. 

• Cultural noise: Different cultures have different ways of understanding and interpreting information. Writing that relies too heavily on cultural references or slang might leave some readers confused.

• Psychological noise: This emanates from the reader's own experiences and biases. For instance, if the writing clashes with the reader's beliefs or expectations, it can create a mental block and make it hard for them to be receptive to the message.

To minimise noise in written communication, it is crucial to proofread before publishing your work as a writer or hire a professional editor to proofread and edit for accuracy.

Note: No writer is universally considered perfect. What resonates with one reader might not impress another.