Keeping Your Writing Short and Sweet

POSTED ON

Mar
19

Wordiness grates on the reader’s ears. It is a literary crime that every mindful writer avoids. As a writer, you owe it to your readers to tell your stories as clearly as possible. Here are tips to avoid sentence obesity and keep your writing in shape.

wordiness
Stop writing blah blahs with these tips on avoiding wordiness.

Use stronger verbs instead of nouns, but use nouns if they make your statements more concise

Wordy: The main reason for the nation’s outcry against the pork barrel fund was that it was not allocated to government projects. (21 words)

Better: The nation’s outcry against the pork barrel fund was fueled by misappropriated government funds. (14 words)

Don’t state the obvious

Wordy: The arched rainbow reminded me of hope after the storm.

Better: The rainbow reminded me of hope after the storm.

Use a single word instead of a phrase

This list from The Writing Center suggests one-word replacements for wordy phrases.

  • the reason for
  • for the reason that
  • due to the fact that
  • owing to the fact that
  • in light of the fact that
  • considering the fact that
  • on the grounds that
  • this is why
 because, since, why
  • despite the fact that
  • regardless of the fact that
  • notwithstanding the fact that
 although, even, though
  • in the event that
  • if it should transpire/happen that
  • under circumstances in which
 if
  • on the occasion of
  • in a situation in which
  • under circumstances in which
 when
  • as regards
  • in reference to
  • with regard to
  • concerning the matter of
  • where . . . is concerned
 about
  • it is crucial that
  • it is necessary that
  • there is a need/necessity for
  • it is important that
  • it is incumbent upon
  • cannot be avoided
 must, should
  • is able to
  • has the opportunity to
  • is in a position to
  • has the capacity for
  • has the ability to
 can
  • it is possible that
  • there is a chance that
  • it could happen that
  • the possibility exists for
 may, might, can, could
  • prior to
  • in anticipation of
  • subsequent to
  • following on
  • at the same time as
  • simultaneously with
 before, after, as

Write in the active voice

Passive: She was held captive by his charm. (7 words)

Active:  His charm held her captive. (5 words)

Note, however, that the passive statement may sometimes be more appropriate than the active if you want to focus on the object of the verb.

Avoid starting your sentences with “there”

“There” is oftentimes unnecessary. Notice that the two statements below mean the same but only differ in word count.

Wordy: There is a glint of truth in the rumor.  (9 words)

Better: The rumor has a glint of truth. (7 words)

Omit unnecessary introductory phrases

Refrain from starting your sentences with “I think,” “personally,” “in my opinion,” and similar introductory phrases when writing a personal essay. While they are tolerable in spoken communication, they only serve to lengthen your writing. Spare your readers these blahs.  They already know the fact that you’re telling them what you think.

Wordy: It seems to me that I need to write more succinctly.

Better: I need to write more succinctly.

Learn more writing tips from the Xlibris Writer’s Workshop,  Xlibris Blog and the Xlibris Indie Authors Roundup.

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