It is important for writers to be concise. Even papers with good organization and content can suffer from wordiness. Here are some strategies to help keep your paper “short and snappy”:

Get rid of meaningless words:

• The movie was kind of exciting; I felt that basically it captured the feeling of being in space.
• Simplified: The movie was exciting; it captured the feeling of being in space.

Eliminate “doubled” words:

• The president wanted each and every senator to vote.
• Simplified: The president wanted every senator to vote.

Delete redundant phrases:

• Santa Claus is round in shape and sharp in wit.
• Simplified: Santa Claus is round and witty.

Substitute words for phrases:

• In the event of a terrorist attack, there is a need for us to be calm.
• Simplified: If there is a terrorist attack, we must be calm.

Change negatives to affirmatives:

• It is not that often we find a small town with not many bars.
• Simplified: It is rare to find a small town with few bars.

Eliminate unneeded phrases:

• It has been determined that divorce rates are increasing each year.
• Simplified: Divorce rates are increasing each year.

Avoid an unneeded amount of hedging:

• Perhaps the study suggests that beer seems to cause brain damage.
• Simplified: The study suggests that beer causes brain damage.

These principles are taken from Joseph M. Williams’ book Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace (New York: Pearson, 2005), which is available for your use in The Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors.

To view or print our Helpful Handout, click here: Wiping out Wordiness

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