overlisting

Overlisting refers to the practice of excessively or unnecessarily listing items, options, or details within a text. This can occur in various contexts, including marketing materials, instructional guides, creative writing, and even everyday communication. The primary characteristic of overlisting is the inclusion of items that are either redundant, trivial, or could be more effectively conveyed through a more concise approach.

In marketing, overlisting might involve bombarding potential customers with an exhaustive enumeration of product features, even those that are standard or insignificant, in an attempt to impress or overwhelm. In instructional contexts, it can manifest as overly detailed step-by-step instructions that include every minute action, potentially leading to confusion or a sense of tedium for the user. Creative writing might suffer from overlisting when authors feel compelled to describe every single object in a scene or every thought that crosses a character's mind, diluting the narrative's impact.

The effect of overlisting is often counterproductive. Instead of clarifying or enhancing understanding, it can lead to reader fatigue, reduced comprehension, and a perception that the author or creator lacks confidence in their core message. It can make a piece of writing feel cluttered and disorganized, obscuring the most important information. Effective communication generally favors conciseness and relevance, selecting the most pertinent details rather than attempting to include everything. Overlisting can be seen as a failure to properly curate and prioritize information for the intended audience.