- repeat a word or phrase only when necessary.
- avoid a careless or needless repetition of a thought in different words.
- avoid clumsy, roundabout expressions.
- eliminate needless words and choppy sentences.
- avoid the double negative.
- use adverbs sparingly.
- choose the precise word to convey your meaning.
- avoid clichés.
It is quality, not quantity that counts in writing. Most good writing is not cluttered with superfluous words.
Here are three ways to improve your writing:
(1) Eliminate extra words and the unnecessary repetition of ideas.
For example:
Wordy: The dog played with a small, little, round ball, which was made of rubber.
Better: The dog played with a little rubber ball.
(2) Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words.
For example:
Wordy: We decided that we would leave the meeting early.
Better: We decided to leave the meeting early.
Wordy: The illegal immigrants who had been captured were deported to Mexico.
Better: The captured illegal immigrants were deported to Mexico.
(3) Avoid trying to sound like Shakespeare. Write naturally.
For example:
Wordy: Illumination is required when the sun has sunk into the west and left the premises in darkness.
Better: Turn on the lights at dark.
What about you? Do you sometimes use more words that you really need? I know I do, so when I go back and proofread what I have written, I often find myself tapping the delete key.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK6U4sUou7H6bo3Pq1lMKEOL6nPK5LDAFroUbCHkwhiy56cKwrp4GeIUTEbH03UyGqN0sv-3cp-GPWmDIEngSNRI_CGlGdsYpFz199AO-k4yjmI1zYLXxsnNgnttvhN2OFBZDrcHw0Aw/s320/PIN+Reducing+Words+Sentences.jpg)
“It ain't whatcha write, it's the way atcha write it.”
------- Jack Kerouac
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElatPoC9BuW4QkS9pCsdJKuFPe4_9VhFDsXiG07LyoJ4CBI0gS1WUDvAhbkFCNmsbvdf1rN8Z9GCcKdkn6iKeO_jCnIVH-KVsnVr-aEbOO9Outzngwm9jhLpzS12EVXSIDZFZpiVnsmw/w141-h43/BookBrushImage-2021-1-16-8-5743.png)