Embedded Files
15. Be concise: if the same meaning can be conveyed in fewer words, do it. Concision promotes clarity.
Principle: Present a complex expression with a singular subject in one sentence. Avoid tentative language and gain a more confident, forceful tone.
-Avoid circuitous phrases such as:
“as to whether,”
“there is no doubt that,”
“_________process,”
“this is a subject that,”
“the reason why is that,”
“the fact that,”
“because of the fact that,”
“it seems as if”
“it might be the case that”
“in any case ,”
“___________character,”
“____________nature”
“in regard to “
“the way in which to”
“to such an extent that”
“This quote is about...”
“I think that this quote is saying that...”
“I think it means that”
Wordy Concise
as to whether concerning
there is no doubt that (omit)
reading process reading
this is a subject that (omit)
the reason why is that because
the fact that (omit)
because of the fact that because
it seems as if (omit)
it might be the case that (omit)
in any case anyway
dynamic character dynamic
evil nature evil
in regard to concerning
the way in which to to
to such an extent that intensely
This quotation is about... (omit)
I think it means that (omit)
Wordy: Concise:
absolutely spectacular spectacular
a person who is honest an honest person
close proximity proximity
completely unanimous unanimous
consensus of opinion consensus
each and every each
end result result
exactly the same the same
frank and honest exchange honest exchange
he/she is a person who . . . he/she is
he or she will be great he will be great (“he” indicates all mankind: both man and woman)
in spite of the fact that although
in the event that if
one and the same the same
particular interest interest
personally, I think omit
personal opinion opinion
refer back refer
revert back revert
shorter/longer in length shorter/longer
small/large in size small/large
summarize briefly summarize
surrounded on all sides surrounded
surrounding circumstances circumstances
there is no doubt but that no doubt
(Too Many words):
There is no doubt that Macbeth was very ambitious and of an evil nature. Due to this fact this led him to wish to become king of Scotland and replace the current king of Scotland at this time who was King Duncan. The witches overtly expressed to Macbeth that this particular interest of his would come true. Encouraged by his wife, the end result was that Macbeth murdered Duncan. Due to this fact he was thus enabled to succeed Duncan as king. (85 words.)
(Needless words omitted):
Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth achieved his evil ambition and realized the prediction of the witches by murdering King Duncan and becoming the king of Scotland. (26 words.)
-Commentary: notice how this compound complex sentence uses subordination and coordination to be concise and avoids the passive voice.
Page updated
Report abuse