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Writing Concise Sentences by Welrez(m): 11:23pm On Mar 05, 2015 |
''Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.'' - William Strunk Whether it's a two-word quip or a 200-word bear, a sentence must be a lean, thinking machine. Here are some notes towards efficiency and concisement in writing. PRUNING THE REDUNDANT Avoid saying the same thing twice. The following are examples and the correct forms: Many uneducated citizens who have never attended school continue to vote for better schools. Many uneducated citizens continue to vote for better schools. A phrase that repeats itself such as: True fact Fact Twelve noon Twelve/noon I saw it with my own eyes. I saw it with my eyes. A person who is honest. An honest person A total of 14 birds 14 birds Consensus of opinion Consensus Free gift Gift End result Result Inspite of the fact Although In the field of economics/law enforcement In economic/law enforcement In the event of If Summarise briefly Summarise Period of four days Four days Personal opinion Opinion Personally, I think/feel I think/feel Particular interest Interest Shorter/longer in length Shorter/longer Surrounded on all sides Surrounded In the future to come In the future There is no doubt but that No doubt Puzzling in nature Puzzling Return again Return ABBREVIATED REDUNDANCIES ATM machine ATM CPU unit CPU HIV virus HIV AIDS syndrome AIDS REDUCING CLAUSES TO PHRASES, PHRASES TO SINGLE WORDS Notre Dame College, which was founded in 1871, is the premier all-men's college in Nigeria. Founded in 1871, Notre Dame College is the premier all-men's college in Nigeria. Recommending that a student copy from another student's paper is not something he would recommend. He won't recommend that a student copy from another student's paper. PHRASES YOU CAN OMIT Be in the look out for important sounding phrases that add nothing to the meaning of a sentence. 1. All things considered All things considered, Warri's woodlands are in better shape than ever. Warri's woodlands are in better shape than ever. 2. As a matter of fact As a matter of fact, there are more woodlands in Lagos than there were in 1897. There are more woodlands in Lagos than there were in 1897. 3. As far as I'm concerned As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for further protection of woodlands. Further protection of woodlands is not needed. 4. Have a tendency to This policy has a tendency to isolate some communities. This policy tends to isolate some communities. 5. Due to the fact that Due to the fact that their habitats are restored, forest creatures are also re-establishing their population bases. Because their habitats are restored, forest creatures are also re-establishing their population bases. INTENSIFIERS THAT DON'T INTENSIFY Avoid using words such as really, quite, very, extremely, severely when they are not necessary. It's probably enough to say that the salary increase is inadequate. Does saying that it is severely inadequate introduce anything more than a tone of hysteria? Nairalanders, feel free to add and make suggestions. You can also bring forward problems for treatment. Thanks. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Writing Concise Sentences by sholay2011(m): 12:06am On Mar 06, 2015 |
Nice one. |
Re: Writing Concise Sentences by Welrez(m): 6:04am On Mar 06, 2015 |
sholay2011:Thanks.. |
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