Five tips on how to write concisely
Works of creative writing, persuasive writing, business writing, fiction and non-fiction are all elevated by clear writing free from wordiness and distended sentence structure. Concise writing uses the fewest words necessary to accurately convey an idea and should be the goal of every author. As a writer, ensure you meet your reader’s needs in content and structure.
Here are the tips on how to make concise sentences and ensure you have clear writing:
1. Choose the word that most clearly conveys your meaning
English words generally have two types of meanings: a denotative meaning (the descriptive dictionary definition of a word) and a connotative meaning (the emotional impact of a word). The connotation can be positive or negative. For example, slender, thin, and skinny have the same denotative meaning but very different connotations.
Here are the examples in sentences:
1. Incorrect: I sprayed the ants in their personal places.
Revision: I sprayed the ants in their hiding places.
(Reason for change: The first sentence has a double meaning. The second sentence conveys the intended meaning and is completely clear.)
2. Incorrect: I want to do something different in my presentation..
Revision: I want to do something unique in my presentation
Let’s try to exercise and choose the word that most clearly conveys your meaning:
1. Incorrect: We will be home in a period of ten days.
Revision: ________________________________
2. Incorrect: Any student could randomly sit anywhere.
Revision: ___________________________________
2. Eliminate redundant pairs
Choose one when the first word in a pair has roughly the same meaning as the second. Common examples of redundant pairs include: full and complete, each and every, hopes and dreams, whole and entire, first and foremost, true and accurate, always and forever.
Here are some examples of avoiding redundancy:
| Redundant pairs | Concise |
| Alternative choice | Alternative |
| And etcetera | Etcetera |
| Ask the question | Ask |
| Assemble together | Assemble |
| Basic fundamentals | Fundamentals |
| Biography/autobiography of her life | Biography/autobiography |
| Brief moment | Moment |
Here are the examples in sentences:
1. Redundant: For each and every book you purchase, you will receive a free bookmark.
Revised: You will receive a free bookmark for every book you purchase.
- Redundant: Young adults should self-assess their situation before making a big, life-changing decision.
Revised: Young adults should assess their situation before making a major decision.
Let’s try to exercise and make these sentence below in concise form:
3. Incorrect: We will be home in a period of ten days.
Correct: ________________________________
4. Incorrect: Any student could randomly sit anywhere.
Correct: ___________________________________
3. Locate and delete unnecessary modifiers
Sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase implies its modifier, making the modifier unnecessary.
Take a look for the examples down below:
1. Origin: Do not try to anticipate in advance those events that will completely revolutionize society. (In this example, “anticipate” already implies that something is in advance, and “revolutionize” already means that something will be completely changed.)
Revision: Do not try to anticipate revolutionary events in society.
- Origin: The Book of Ruth was probably written in the fifth century B.C. It was a time when women were considered the property of men.
Revision: The Book of Ruth was probably written in the fifth century B.C., when women were considered the property of men.
Now, let’s eliminate any unnecessary modifiers in the following sentences. Rephrase if necessary:
- Origin: This is a quote from Black Elk’s autobiography that discloses his prophetic powers.
Revision: _______________________________________________
- Origin: It is frequently considered that Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most puzzling play.
Revision: ________________________________________________
4. Reduce Unneeded Repetition
Sometimes, repetition isn’t only fun; it’s essential. It can accentuate a writer’s meaning and drive the point home. However, if your repetition isn’t deliberate, cut it out. You’ll see repetition in a lot of “fluffy” catchphrases. For example, try to rework the following:
- Wordy: In my opinion, I’d rather you research a bit more before taking the plunge.
Concise: I want you to research more before taking the plunge.
Note: “In my opinion” and “I’d rather” express the same idea.
This is another example of repetition of the same word within a sentence when used in two different ways:
- Wordy: He received a wound from the clock while he wound it.
Concise: The clock injured him while he wound it.
- Wordy: He was right to assume his subjects are right-handed.
Concise: He correctly assumed his subjects are right-handed.
Now, let’s eliminate any unneeded repetition in the following sentences
1. Wordy: Luis was interested in the data processing field.
Concise: _____________________________________.
2. Wordy: Luis will let me know in the event that he can get away and make the trip. .
Concise: _____________________________________.
- Wordy: The large, angry, noisy crowd stormed the Capital building.
Concise: _____________________________________.
5. Identify negatives and change them to affirmatives
Expressing ideas in a negative form means you must use an extra word, making readers work harder to figure out your meaning.
Example:
- Origin: If you not have more than five years of experience, do not call for an interview if you have not already spoken to human resources
Revision: Applicants with over five years of experience can bypass human resources and call for an interview.
- Origin: Your audience will not appreciate the details that lack relevance.
Revision: Your audience will appreciate relevant details.
Now that you know how to avoid wordiness at the sentence level, I courage you to try these techniques for yourself. In the long run you’ll save time and money with your editor. It may even enhance your problem solving skills…
Good luck!