The Lighthouse

Here are a few ways of using fewer words:

• use verbs instead of nouns where possible
• cut out abstract nouns where possible (e.g. In reality… In truth…)
• remove filler words/phrases (words fill gaps in a spoken language, e.g. well, then, you know).
• remove hedging words/phrases (words that signify hesitation/uncertainty, e.g. it seems that, kind of, pretty much, sort of)
• avoid repetition (e.g. “Three sorts of X exist, the three sorts of X are…”
• Use the active voice (the subject performs the action, e.g. “Jo loves university”) rather than the passive voice (the action is done to the subject, e.g. “University is loved by Jo”).

For further help with writing concisely see:

• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/academic-writing/writing-concisely.php
• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/studyup-writing-tips.pdf
• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/studyup-writing-tips-handout.pdf
• http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/effective-verb-use.aspx