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Cutting Clutter

The document provides tips for writing clearly and concisely, emphasizing the importance of simplicity in language. Key strategies include using active voice, eliminating unnecessary words and phrases, and opting for shorter alternatives. A sample paragraph demonstrates how to cut clutter while retaining meaning.

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Hanson Gu
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2 views

Cutting Clutter

The document provides tips for writing clearly and concisely, emphasizing the importance of simplicity in language. Key strategies include using active voice, eliminating unnecessary words and phrases, and opting for shorter alternatives. A sample paragraph demonstrates how to cut clutter while retaining meaning.

Uploaded by

Hanson Gu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cutting Clutter

“The airline pilot who announces that he is presently anticipating experiencing considerable precipitation
wouldn’t think of saying it may rain. The sentence is too simple – there must be something wrong with it….
Strip every sentence to its cleanest components.” – William Zinsser, On Writing Well.
We often take too long to say too little. Writing clearly and cleanly takes work, but it’s vital. When we write
simply, we know what we’ve said, and we know other people will understand it. Here are a few ways to keep
language brief and simple:

Tips for Cutting Clutter


 Use the active voice—put the actor in the sentence
It was decided that the committee would meet tonight. → The committee will meet tonight.
 Skip “It is” or “There is” beginnings
There were some Vikings who traded in Samarkand. → Vikings traded in Samarkand.
She is the one who skewered me. → She skewered me.
You can often take out “who”, “which” or “that” clauses like this as well.
 Use verbs, rather than noun forms of verbs
Active verbs take less space than gerunds (a noun with –ing, like frittering and spicing) or
infinitives (to shout, to muzzle).
Dancing is hard for me. → I can’t dance.
To dream is soothing. → Dreams soothe.
 Cut to the quick
When writers waffle, we can use words that mean nothing, like these introductions:
It should be pointed out…
I might add…
It is interesting to note that…
Or hedging – a bit, sort of, in a sense, it’s as though . . . Words like that make it look like we aren’t
sure of what we’re saying and make our arguments less believable.
 Avoid general adjectives or adverbs
These words don’t tell the reader anything important—they just take up space:
kind of, sort of, individual, specific, definitely, actually, generally, really, basically, for all intents and
purposes.
 If one word will do, stick to it
One way to do this is to change negatives to affirmations:
Not many → few
Not difficult → easy

Connors Writing Center Dimond Library 329 . UNH . [email protected] 603-862-3272


Tips for Cutting Clutter (continued)
Here are common phrases compressed into one word:

the reason for


for the reason that
owing/due to the fact that
= because, since, why
in light of the fact that
considering the fact that
on the grounds that

During the period of time that


on the occasion of = when
in a situation in which

as regards
in reference to
= about
with regard to
concerning the matter of

it is crucial that
it is necessary that
= must, should
there is a need/necessity for
it is important that

is able to
has the opportunity to = can
has the capacity for

it is possible that
there is a chance that = may, might, could
it could happen that

 Replace long words with short ones


Assistance (help), numerous (many), facilitate (ease), individual (man or woman), remainder (rest),
initial (first), implement (do), sufficient (enough), attempt to (try).
 Take out words that have no use
Words that add no meaning: order up a meal, give out advice.
Words that repeat other words: full and complete; any and all
Adjectives that carry the same meaning as the noun: tall skyscraper, unexpected surprise
Adverbs that carry the same meaning as the verb: ran quickly, yawned sleepily, boasted
arrogantly, tricked slyly

Connors Writing Center Dimond Library 329 . UNH . [email protected] 603-862-3272


Tips for Cutting Clutter (continued)
 We may imply many things in a few words
Imagine someone trying to learn the rules for playing the game of chess. → Imagine learning
chess.

Learning implies someone trying; playing a game implies rules; learning a game implies learning its
rules; and chess is a kind of game. So simplify: Imagine learning chess.
 Use short sentences
When in doubt, break sentences down.
Make each clause its own sentence.
Remember, one word can make a sentence. See!
 Deja Vu all over again
Try not to repeat ideas or words that mean the same thing, or to tell in detail what your readers
already know.

Sample paragraph
Here is a sample paragraph at its bulkiest and at its leanest.
 Original:
For nearly 20 years when asked the question what I would like to be when I grow up, I always used
to think about writing, but I did not always consider writing as something I might like to be doing
full-time. The foundation of my career goals started out in fifth grade, when my teacher told me a
story I had written might be at a high enough standard to be publishable in the future. I was
intrigued by this profession because I was always reading, but at the time I was always reading
about marine mammals and had formed the impression that I would like to become a marine
biologist because I had read everything about whales. As time passed and I became better
acquainted with the study of science, I found that the job of a writer was something that would fit
very well with my personality and goals in life, because it allows you to read about anything you
want and you do not have to make a lot of measurements. (173 words)
 Stripped down without losing any of the meaning:
For 20 years I have liked writing, but I did not always think of making a living by it. I first thought
of writing as a job when my fifth grade teacher told me I might turn a story of mine into a
children’s book. I read all the time, but back then I read about whales. I thought I wanted to study
Marine Biology. As I learned more about research, I found I liked talking about whales better than
swimming with them. (83 words).

Connors Writing Center Dimond Library 329 . UNH . [email protected] 603-862-3272

This handout was modified from: William Zinsser’s On Writing Well 25th anniversary edition and Joseph Williams’ Style: Ten Lessons in
Clarity and Grace, 7th edition. Chart from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_concise.html ©1995-2001 by OWL at
Purdue University. All Rights reserved. Use of this site, including printing and distributing handouts, constitutes acceptance of terms and
condition of fair use available at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/lab/fairuse.html.

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