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    Consice Writing Guide: Wordiness: "Fluffy Kittens Are Adorable and Super Awesome"

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    Keaton Peterson
    The document provides guidance on avoiding wordiness in writing. It notes that unnecessary adverbs and adjectives are common sources of wordiness. As an example, it states that the traits "fluffy" and "adorable" when describing kittens are redundant since we assume kittens have those traits. Removing unnecessary words or intensifiers like "super" helps improve conciseness without losing meaning. The document offers tips for replacing wordy phrases and constructions with more concise alternatives.

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    Consice Writing Guide: Wordiness: "Fluffy Kittens Are Adorable and Super Awesome"

    Uploaded by

    Keaton Peterson
    64 views2 pages
    The document provides guidance on avoiding wordiness in writing. It notes that unnecessary adverbs and adjectives are common sources of wordiness. As an example, it states that the traits "fluffy" and "adorable" when describing kittens are redundant since we assume kittens have those traits. Removing unnecessary words or intensifiers like "super" helps improve conciseness without losing meaning. The document offers tips for replacing wordy phrases and constructions with more concise alternatives.

    Original Description:

    Guide 2

    Original Title

    Wordiness

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    The document provides guidance on avoiding wordiness in writing. It notes that unnecessary adverbs and adjectives are common sources of wordiness. As an example, it states that the traits "fluffy" and "adorable" when describing kittens are redundant since we assume kittens have those traits. Removing unnecessary words or intensifiers like "super" helps improve conciseness without losing meaning. The document offers tips for replacing wordy phrases and constructions with more concise alternatives.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    64 views2 pages

    Consice Writing Guide: Wordiness: "Fluffy Kittens Are Adorable and Super Awesome"

    Uploaded by

    Keaton Peterson
    The document provides guidance on avoiding wordiness in writing. It notes that unnecessary adverbs and adjectives are common sources of wordiness. As an example, it states that the traits "fluffy" and "adorable" when describing kittens are redundant since we assume kittens have those traits. Removing unnecessary words or intensifiers like "super" helps improve conciseness without losing meaning. The document offers tips for replacing wordy phrases and constructions with more concise alternatives.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    CONSICE WRITING GUIDE:

    WORDINESS
    The ability to concisely express ideas is paramount for success in academic or professional writing; while this
    statement appears uncontroversial, many writers struggle to identify what is wrong with the following sentence:

    Fluffy kittens are adorable and super awesome

    Wordiness comes in many forms; however, the most common occurrences are due to unnecessary adverbs and
    adjectives. What that in mind: What, exactly, is a fluffy kitten?

    Eliminate Wordiness: Kill the Fluffy Kittens

    If asked to assign a physical trait to a kitten, most people would say fluffy. This is because the trait (or adjective)
    fluffy is inherent to our understanding of kittens - i.e., we assume kittens are fluffy much like we assume water is
    wet. Therefore, the adjective is redundant1. The same is true for adorable.

    Fluffy kittens are adorable and super awesome

    Do not avoid adjectives all together. For instance, when bald or ugly are substituted to the sentence, additional
    meaning is created.

    Avoid Unnecessary Quantifiers

    The definition of awesome is already causing or inducing awe. With that in mind, what is the difference
    between awesome and super awesome? Nothing. Adding super serves only to increase wordcount.

    Fluffy kittens are adorable and super awesome


    Kittens are awesome

    Over half the sentences words are eliminated, yet, no meaning is lost.

    Tips for Avoiding Wordiness:

    English is a specific language. It allows us assign qualitative meaning without the need for redundant intensifiers -
    this is true for nouns and verbs.

    For example: instead of very hungry, used famished; instead of very sad, use devastated; instead of super
    angry, use furious.
    CONSICE WRITING GUIDE:
    WORDINESS
    Avoid Overlapping Meaning:

    WORDINESS CONCISE
    Each and every day Each / Every Day
    The reason is because Because
    The same identical shoes The same shoes
    The stain still remains The stain remains
    The assignment was absolutely complete The assignment was Complete

    Avoid Roundabout Ways of Saying Things (Circumlocutions)


    WORDINESS CONCISE
    As it pertains to the matter of About
    regardless of the fact Although
    This is due to the fact that This is because
    it is often the case that Often

    Avoid Redundancies

    WORDINESS CONCISE
    Each and every day Each / Every Day
    The reason is because Because
    The same identical shoes The same shoes
    The stain still remains The stain remains
    The assignment was absolutely complete The Assignment was Complete

    Avoid colloquial phrases:

    since the beginning of time, for centuries, it is widely known that

    Additional Tips:

    Use strong verbs & meaningful words.


    Avoid redundancies
    Ask yourself: Can I say this with less words?
    Ask yourself: Is there an easier way to convey this information?
    Avoid passive voice
    Kill Fluffy Kittens
    Specificity matters: avoid generalizations
    Promote the noun to the subject position
    Change verb to their active form
    Read sentences aloud
    Avoid jargon

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