One of the easiest traps to fall into as a writer is using repetitive words and phrases. Fortunately, this is a trap that you can see and correct before you publish or print. It’s tricky, though, because sometimes it takes a couple of “go-overs” to really see (and avoid!) the muddy, weed-choked ditch you’re about to fall into.
Take a look at this writing:
- Be flexible to food preferences. Keep long-standing personal preferences in mind when preparing food, and be aware that a person with dementia may suddenly develop new food preferences or reject foods that were liked in the past.
- Give the person plenty of time to eat. Remind him or her to chew and swallow carefully. Keep in mind that it may take an hour or longer to finish eating.
- Eat together. Make meals an enjoyable social event so that your loved one looks forward to the experience.
- Keep in mind the person may not remember when or if he or she ate. If the person continues to ask about eating breakfast, consider serving several breakfasts — juice, followed by toast, followed by cereal.
Find three times when the same phrase was used.
I admit that I edited the content (it’s not my content) three times and was just about hit “publish” (and bill my client) before I saw this particular ditch. Now, of course, I can’t unsee it.
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