Should writers ditch the word ‘should’?

Each week, Evan Peterson rounds up stories from across the Web that scribes of all stripes should check out. Articles to read this week cover reducing stress in your writing process, finding alone time and eliminating a word you shouldn’t be using. Eliminate “should”: This article from Psychology Today covers research that suggests the use of “should” weakens our language and causes us stress. It doesn’t mention writing, but there’s only a short leap from the study’s conclusion—that “should” ought usually be avoided in daily conversation—to virtually eliminating “should” from writing in order to effectively connect with the reader.