The most important thing you need to take care of while aiming to write a long-form essay, article, or blog post is to ensure brevity and clarity in your write-up. After the brainstorming is complete and the necessary research done, it is essential you devote your energies to making your writing assignment as clear and crisp as possible.
Keep in mind the following points before you embark on a writing session:
- Choose your words carefully. Do not try to show off your vocabulary and use complicated words. This will alienate your reader.
- Keep your sentences simple. Unnecessary words clutter up your sentences, make the meaning vague, and frustrate your reader.
Eliminate Who, Which, and That whenever possible
Sentence: Any lady who is expecting should avoid the Columbus boat ride.
Concise version: Expecting ladies should avoid the Columbus boat ride.
Sentence: The building next door, which used to be abandoned, is now a hospital to treat the homeless.
Concise version: The building next door, once abandoned, is now a hospital for the homeless.
Sentence: My neighbor, who is the president of the local association, has three kids.
Concise version: My neighbor, the president of the local association, has three kids.
Sentence: Let’s eat in the café that is air-conditioned.
Concise version: Let’s eat in the air-conditioned café.
Sentence: He wished that he had taken the exam that he had given more seriously.
Concise version: He wished he had taken the exam more seriously.
Sentence: It was a trip that was very memorable.
Concise version: It was a memorable trip.
Avoid using there is and it is
Sentence: It was with great regret that I fired my employee.
Concise version: Regrettably, I fired my employee.
Sentence: There is no reason for the agency to pursue the sexual harassment claims.
Concise version: The agency has no reason to pursue the sexual harassment claims.
Reduce the use of I believe, I feel, I think, I am of the opinion that, and in my opinion
Sentence: I am of the opinion that animals should not be used in circuses.
Concise version: Animals should not be used in circuses.
Sentence: I believe that violent crimes should have severe punishment.
Concise version: Violent crimes should have severe punishment.
Sentence: I am of the opinion that mothers should be able to breastfeed in public.
Concise version: Mothers should be able to breastfeed in public.
Use prepositional phrases when they are appropriate
Sentence: When you see the third stop sign, take a left.
Concise version: At the third stop sign, take a left.
Sentence: While we were having lunch, he had an allergy attack that caused him to sneeze.
Concise version: During lunch, he had an allergy attack that caused him to sneeze.
Replace so and so that with infinitive phrases (to + verb)
Sentence: I want to smell the cake so that I am sure it is fresh.
Concise version: I want to smell the cake to make sure it is fresh.
Sentence: Close the windows so that the air conditioning stays inside the room.
Concise version: Close the windows to keep the air conditioning inside the room.
Replace because of the fact that with because
Sentence: Because of the fact that Shiela realizes Osho doesn’t love her, she finally feels at peace with herself at the end.
Concise version: Because Shiela realizes Osho doesn’t love her, she finally feels at peace with herself at the end.
Sentence: Because of the fact that I love you, I know we will always stay together.
Concise version: Because I love you, I know we will always stay together.
Read More
[button link=”https://peptalkindia.com/writing-cheat-sheet-useful-terms-to-improve-your-writing-skills/” color=”lightblue” newwindow=”yes”] Writing Cheat Sheet: Useful Terms To Improve Your Writing Skills[/button]
[button link=”https://peptalkindia.com/improve-your-writing-skills-7-ways-to-make-your-sentences-simpler-and-concise/” color=”lightblue” newwindow=”yes”] Improve Your Writing Skills- 7 Ways to Make Your Sentences Simpler and Concise[/button]
