Posted: February 26th, 2022

University College – Senior Project

University College – Senior Project

Writing Concisely

Quote from Elements of Style

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary line and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.

Writing Concisely

When you write concisely you use the strongest, not just the fewest words, to convey your ideas to your readers. There are a few rules you can follow to accomplish the goal of writing concisely.

Replace vague words with specific words

Instead of:

Working as a student under someone who builds houses was an experience that really helped me learn a lot.

Use:

Working as a carpenter’s apprentice was an educational experience.

Each word should be necessary to the sentence

Omit unnecessary words.

Omit unnecessary modifiers and determiners

The following words and phrases are frequently used as filler and can usually be eliminated:

Particular

Kind of

Basically

For all intents and purposes

Definitely

Actually

Really

Generally

Individually

Specific

Omit Redundant Pairs

Past memories

Various differences

Each individual ___________

Basic fundamentals

True facts

Important essentials

Future plans

Terrible tragedy

End result

Final outcome

Free gift

Past history

Omit Redundant Categories

Large in size

Often times

Of a bright color

Heavy in weight

Period in time

Round in shape

Of cheap quality

Honest in character

In a confused state

Unusual in nature

Extreme in degree

Of a strange type

Combine short sentences

Instead of:

I bought a new car. It is red.

Use:

I bought a new red car.

Use active voice rather than passive

Make the actor of the sentence the subject of that sentence.

For example, this sentence uses passive voice:

The ball was thrown by John.

John is the actor, but he is NOT the subject.

This sentence is written in active voice

John threw the ball.

John is the actor so he is the subject of the sentence.

Place the subject of the sentence near the front of the sentence to aid reader comprehension.

Use active forms of verbs

Use active forms of verbs as the main verbs in your sentences instead of the “be” verb or infinitives (to+verb).

This sentence uses the infinitive form of verbs:

It is the job of the president to sign or to veto bills.

This sentence uses active forms of verbs

The president signs or vetoes bills.

It uses fewer, stronger words.

Summary

To write concisely:

Eliminate unnecessary words.

Combine short sentences.

Do not use phrases or sentences to express one word.

Use the active voice.

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