Methods to Enhance Brevity in Communication:
Mastering the art of concise writing is a skill, not a talent. Here's a guide on how to whittle down your words, eliminate redundancies, avoid verbose descriptions, simplify your vocabulary, and use active voice effectively.
Cut wordiness
First, jot down your thoughts without worrying about length. Later, revise and cut unnecessary words ruthlessly. Editors often remove lots of words because they are unnecessary, even if they seem essential at first glance. Key areas to focus on:
- Redundant words: Eliminate duplicated phrases, and expand your vocabulary by using synonyms.
- Adverbs: Minimize their usage. Instead, opt for strong, descriptive verbs and adjectives.
- Overblown descriptions: Despite their importance, too much of a good thing can overwhelm a story. Compare your writing with other authors to find the right balance.
Simplify your language
Recall that quote "Never use a long word where a short one will do"? It's mostly accurate. Infusing your writing with succinct, catchy words every now and then is fine - but don't go overboard. Excessive florid language can slow down your narrative and confuse readers.
Simplify your sentence structures, too. While beautiful words are great for describing things, you need to find the right balance between elegance and clarity. For example:
Overdone: The grandiose, magnificent, glorious range of mountains studded with streaks of obsidian floundered through the rumbling, majestic, azure skies, pointing to the zenith of the frozen atmosphere.
Simplified: The sea of black clouds clung to the mountains.
Besides descriptions, simplify your characters' dialogue. Unless your character is someone who frequently uses obscure words, don't burden them with difficult vocabulary that doesn't suit their personality or backstory.
Use active voice
Active voice makes your writing more dynamic, engaging, and concise. If you want to kick your writing up a notch, always opt for active voice instead of passive. See the example below to compare both:
Passive Voice: The investigators have been searching for the culprit.Active Voice: The investigators are searching for the culprit.
Active voice enables readers to imagine scenes more vividly, as compared to passive voice. Excessive use of passive voice can slow down the pace of your writing, making it difficult for readers to immerse themselves in the story.
Improving conciseness in writing takes practice. Use the techniques mentioned above to hone your skills. Happy writing!
Education and self-development, such as learning how to write concisely, promote personal growth. To master concise writing, focus on eliminating redundant words, minimizing the use of adverbs, simplifying your vocabulary, and using active voice effectively.
