Who doesn’t know that clichés drive readers nuts? Not just that, clichés add zero value to any writing whose purpose is to inform. They inform you, well, nothing.
Take this one: It will be interesting how blah, blah, blah turns out.
Seriously, what NEW thing does that tell you? Nothing. Which is why it is useless in a NEWSpaper.
Here, take a look at uses in October and September alone.
Daily Nation
- October 27 – “Why return of Uhuru Kenyatta has stirred debate amid political storm”, by Mwangi Muiruri:
“As Dr. Ruto faces rebellion in the Mt Kenya region led by his impeached deputy, it will be interesting to see if he will reach out to Mr Kenyatta.”
Unamwambia nani? And why will it be interesting if who reaches out to Mr Kenyatta?
- September 29 – “Show time: Ruto, Gachagua fallout as DP allies plot messy dirty fightback”, by Macharia Gaitho
The author accurately predicted that, “if the matter goes to court, it will be interesting to see how it proceeds…”
Well, at least he qualified why. “… because an intelligence report cannot be admitted as evidence…” Still, drop the cliché.
- September 06 – “Harambee Stars starts chase for for 2025 African finalist ticket”, by Cecil Odongo
“It will be interesting to see who [Coach Engin] Firat pairs with French Ligue One side Reims’ Joseph Okumu in central defense.” Interesting how? Why?
The Standard
- October 2 – “MPs’ dance with courts on CDF last kick of a dying horse”, by Kamotho Waiganjo
“It will be interesting to see Parliament’s new tricks..”
- September 24 – “Kajiado Governor joins race to replace Waiguru at CoG”, by Peterson Githaiga
“It will be interesting to see how the polls slated for October 7 will pan out in the era of the Broad-Based Government crafted by President William Ruto and Raila.”
- September 24 – “Relegation battle intensify as NPCA Super League enters penultimate stage”, by Washington Onyango
“And as curtains fall on the first-tier Super League competition, it will be interesting to see how this tight relegation battle pans out, by and large.”
Whether in news, which is worse, or in opinion, this cliché mostly comes toward the end. It demonstrates that the writer finished talking a while back and is now just filling up space. They didn’t know when to stop talking – sorry, writing.
Why is it worse in news writing? Because it is editorialising. It’s the reporter’s voice, giving opinion. That is jumping into the story with your own bias, instead of telling it impartially.
