Writing concisely

It is important in academic writing to make your point in as few words as possible. This is to show you understand the concepts you are discussing and that you are not adding extra words to pad out your assignments. Lecturers often impose word limits on assignments for this very reason.

Techniques to make your writing more concise

Make your points straight away

“The first point relates to…”, “Secondly…”, “Finally…”

Replace phrases with single words or stack your adjectives

“The group of science students sat their exams”
“the science students sat their exams”

“Smith (2006) also believed this to be true, but took into consideration the fact that some managers also preferred to have long meetings that took all day”
“Smith(2006) agreed, but considered the fact that some managers preferred to have longer, all-day meetings.”

Avoid qualifying words which mean the same thing

“Records” instead of “past records”
“Separate” instead of “separate out”
“In retrospect” instead of “looking back in retrospect”

Omit unnecessary words

“lowering the rope” instead of “lowering the rope down”
“measuring the job” instead of “measuring up the job”
“because” instead of “due to the fact that”

Avoid saying the same thing twice

“The farmer sheared the sheep and removed all their wool” could simply be replaced with “The farmer sheared the sheep”

Be wary of clumsy sentences where extra words have been added that detract from the point being made

“There are several of the soldiers, each with their guns and ammunition, who gathered at the gates of the camp before dawn.”
A better way would be to say: “Several of the soldiers, each with their own guns and ammunition, gathered at the camp gates before dawn.”

Page authorised by Director, CTL
Last updated on 29 November, 2018