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.
Homework help – Summary
To write concisely:
Eliminate unnecessary words.
Combine short sentences.
Do not use phrases or sentences to express one word.
Use the active voice.
