An Excellent Point

 

What does it mean, really? “Pay attention to what comes next”? “This next part is what I think is important”? “I’m clearing my throat, in writing”? “Yes, I’m just as pretentious and faddish as everyone else”?

 

To say "here's the thing" implies the person speaking (or writing) is bringing forth a universal answer that whoever's listening isn't privy to.  By suggesting the one thing an audience needs to know will follow, the speaker/writer is dictating.  It's much less effective than empowering your audience to be a participant in, not recipient of the conversation.

 

I am absolutely guilty of this; I write "here's the thing" when what I should be writing is "here's what I think."

 

Thank you for the lesson.