Have you ever received feedback that your writing could be more concise? This resource examines strategies for eliminating unnecessary language and focusing on the words that communicate your ideas most effectively. Concise writing is a key characteristic of strong academic work.
Strategies for Reducing Wordiness
Concise writing communicates ideas clearly using only the words necessary to convey meaning. During the revision process, writers should evaluate their sentences for unnecessary repetition, vague language, and opportunities to simplify sentence structure. The strategies below can help improve clarity, readability, and conciseness.
1. Eliminate Redundancy
When a sentence uses two words or phrases that convey nearly the same meaning, choose the stronger option and remove the unnecessary repetition. This reduces wordiness and improves clarity.
Examples
- hopes and dreams
- first and foremost
- true and accurate
- always and forever
- each and every
2. Remove Unnecessary Qualifiers
Writers often use qualifiers that add little to the meaning of a sentence. Removing these words can make writing more direct and concise. Eliminating just one or two unnecessary words per sentence can significantly improve readability over time.
Examples of Common Qualifiers
- really
- basically
- actually
- very
- definitely
- probably
- kind of
extremely
In each example, one word or phrase could be removed without significantly changing the meaning.
3. Replace Phrases with Single Words
Many wordy phrases can be replaced with a single word without changing the meaning. While these phrases often appear in formal writing, they can make sentences longer and less direct.
Examples
Wordy: In light of the fact that the assignment was late...
Concise: Because the assignment was late...
Wordy: At this point in time, students should begin studying.
Concise: Now, students should begin studying.
4. Use Specific Language
Using precise words can help you communicate ideas more clearly and concisely. Instead of relying on vague or wordy phrases, choose specific words that express your meaning more directly.
Examples
Too Wordy: The administrator talked about several of the benefits of the new teacher training in his speech.
Concise: The administrator touted the new teacher training in his speech.
Too Wordy: The researcher looked at the survey results.
Concise: The researcher analyzed the survey results.
5. Use Active Voice
In an active sentence, the subject performs the action. In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action or may be omitted entirely.
To identify passive voice, look for a form of the verb to be (am, is, are, was, were) followed by a past-tense verb. While passive voice is appropriate in some contexts, it often results in less direct and more wordy writing.
Example
Passive: The 1776 Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.
Active: Thomas Jefferson wrote the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
In the revised sentence, the subject moves to the beginning, and the unnecessary to be verb (was) is removed, creating a clearer and more concise sentence.
6. Combine Related Sentences
When two sentences contain closely related information, consider combining them into a single sentence. This can reduce repetition and improve the flow of your writing while maintaining clarity.
Example
Too Wordy: The sighting of Mothman in Point Pleasant, West Virginia aroused interest in flying cryptids. The first sighting occurred on November 15th, 1966.
Concise: The sighting of Mothman on November 15th, 1966, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, aroused interest in flying cryptids.
Additional Links
To browse related resources, check out these links:
ARC Guide: How to Write a Paragraph
ARC Guide: Paragraph Structure (with Video)
ARC Guide: Structuring Your Essay (with Video)
ARC Guide: Revising and Editing Checklist
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