The Challenge of Concise Writing

It isn’t about using fewer words. It’s about choosing the right words to get to the point of your sentences.

Concise writing can enhance the readability and impact of your work. This perspective is true at any stage of your writing career.

In a letter written in 1773, Thomas Jefferson wrote,  “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” This quote highlights Jefferson’s emphasis on writing well with fewer words. The principle is still worth consideration 250 years later.

The Problem of Overwriting

Concise writing is a remedy for “overwriting.” Most writers use too many words. They add excessive descriptions or unnecessary details. These extra words can weaken the impact of your message.

Overwriting can also make your work seem self-indulgent. Excessive word usage often leaves readers confused and bored. In short, longer sentences don’t impress readers. They can become frustrated when it’s a struggle to find the main point of a sentence.

Concise writing can improve clarity. It can also create a more enjoyable experience for your audience. In today’s fast-paced world, most people prefer clear, concise writing.

From Excessive Words to Concise Writing

Here’s how to make your writing more concise without sacrificing clarity or style.

Eliminate Redundancies

Redundant phrases weaken your writing and waste readers’ time. Instead of saying “advance planning,” use “planning.” Replace “in my personal opinion” with “my opinion.” Aim for precision with every word.

Excessive: She made her own decision based on past experiences she had before.

Concise: She decided based on past experiences.

Avoid Filler Words and Phrases

Words like “actually,” “very,” “really,” and “basically” often add little to your sentences. While they may seem harmless, overusing them can clutter your writing.

Excessive: Actually, he was really excited about the new project.

Concise: He was excited about the project.

Favor Strong Verbs

Weak verbs often require additional words for clarity. Instead, use strong, specific verbs that convey your meaning independently.

Excessive: She gave a description of the painting.

Concise: She described the painting.

Use Shorter Sentences

Long sentences filled with multiple clauses can confuse readers. Break them into smaller, more digestible parts. Each sentence should express one clear idea.

Excessive: The team, which had been working tirelessly on the project for several months, finally reached their goal and completed the assignment to everyone’s satisfaction.

Concise: The team worked tirelessly for months and completed the project successfully.

Cut Unnecessary Adjectives and Adverbs

Descriptive words have their place. But too many adjectives and adverbs can overwhelm your readers. Choose stronger nouns and verbs to reduce reliance on modifiers.

Excessive: The extremely tall man walked quickly to the nearby store.

Concise: The tall man hurried to the store.

Reorganize for Clarity

Sometimes, concise writing is about structure. Passive voice and awkward sentence construction can bog down your writing. Use active voice and a more logical flow.

Excessive: The entire book was read by Sarah in just two days.

Concise: Sarah read the book in two days.

Practice Decisive Editing

The first draft is rarely concise. After writing, review each sentence to ask, “Is this necessary?” If a word, phrase, or sentence doesn’t add value, remove it. Be decisive. Here are a few ways your readers will benefit from this step:

• Improves Readability: Readers can easily grasp your message without wading through unnecessary fluff.
• Enhances Professionalism: Clear writing makes you appear more competent and credible.
• Saves Time: Both you and your readers will appreciate getting to the point faster.

Concise Writing Helps Say It Better

Concise writing doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity or depth. It means cutting redundancies, trimming excess words, and prioritizing clarity. By doing so, you can craft writing that connects with your audience. Great writing isn’t about saying more — it’s about saying it better with fewer words.

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David and Sharon Cox are co-owners of Cox Editing Services. They specialize in copyediting and proofreading to help writers prepare print and online content for publication, distribution, and presentations.