Writing Concisely

Taking out the Clutter

Get rid of useless words in a sentence.

• There were a great number of dead leaves

lying on the ground. (12 words)

Same Thought in Fewer Words

• Dead leaves covered the ground. (5 words)

There is an empty word.

• There is a person in our neighborhood who

writes novels. (9)

Can you say the same thing in fewer words?

Clear and Direct

• There is a man in our neighborhood who writes novels.

Zero in on the essential meaning.

• Our neighbor writes novels. (4)

No Need to State the Obvious

• My brother is a man who loves to go fishing. (10)

• My brother loves to fish. (5)

Roundabout Phrasing

• The fact that the Pope had arrived was reported on the television. (12)

the fact that, due to the fact that

• The Pope’s arrival was televised. (5)

Cut to the Chase

• It is rarely the case that any mistake has been made. (11)

Start sentence with the actual subject .

• Mistakes are few. (3)

Really Useless Words

• The dragon was really upset that someone

had stolen a very valuable treasure from his

cave.

Really, very, and truly are crutches.

• The dragon was furious that someone

had stolen a treasure from his cave.