What are some tips for concise writing?

My favorite way to practice concise writing is to imagine that my audience is a group of 8-year-olds. An 8-year-old can understand just about anything, IF you present it in a simple (not to be confused with condescending or inaccurate), logical way. I was a kids' nonfiction book editor and writer for about 15 years, and I discovered that the best authors in this genre can explain anything to anyone of any age with the fewest words necessary.

Aim to leave the reader wanting more, in a positive way. Set the scene, describe the problem, and offer a clear, concise, compelling and non-obvious point of view.

Plan & Outline: Organize thoughts before writing. ?? Use Active Voice: It's direct and clear. ??? Trim Redundancies: Cut unnecessary words or phrases. ?? Avoid Jargon: Opt for simple language. ???? Edit Ruthlessly: Remove fluff to stay concise. ???? Focus on Key Points: Stick to the main ideas. ?? Use Bullet Points: Enhance readability. ?? Revise for Clarity: Ensure easy understanding. ???? Keep Sentences Short: Aim for brevity. ? Proofread Carefully: Check for errors. ????

When I did PR for Microsoft via their PR firm I was given presentation training. The tip that stuck with me was you only say 2 percent of what you know. The audience does not need every detail. Also, have a length in mind and stick to that. CEOs: If your PR consultant tells you she needs 500 words for a magazine byline, don't give her more than that! A blog story can be as short as 300 words.

The opposite party need not be representative of someone you work against. If both walk away satisfied, or both a little dissatisfied, I'd say you have a victory there. But the best result is when you walk away having made a friend and being satisfied with what you achieved.

Use active voice, yes. But also consider active voice *and* second person. This allows you to speak directly to your reader. You draw people in with second person and compel them to action with active voice.

Use active voice to make your writing more immediate and engaging. In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action, like "I threw the ball." This contrasts with passive voice, where the subject is acted upon, as in "The ball was thrown by me." Active voice makes it clear who is doing what, and often results in shorter, more impactful sentences.

Taking your audience right into the story by using active voice with sensory detailing works wonders for the storytelling experience. People identify, connect and go with you on the journey. And that’s when they begin their journey.

Passive voice makes writing sound clunky and distant. Choose active voice for powerful, direct sentences that grab attention.

Although writing in active voice is best, I wouldn't worry about it too much on your first draft. You can always come back to it when you're editing. You'll see how much of a difference active voice makes it making your writing more engaging and effective.

Remember, brevity is the soul of wit! Therefore, use bullet points, numbered lists, headings and other formatting elements to break up dense text and draw attention to important points. White space improves readability.

Fiquei me perguntando se n?o era ironia o convite para participar desse artigo, visto que a concis?o n?o está entre minhas qualidades profissionais mais notórias. Mas meus excessos n?o significam rebeldia contra o mandamento de Pope, o poeta inglês, para quem palavras s?o como folhas de árvores. Se abundantes, nos impedem de enxergar o "fruto do sentido". Só devemos ter o cuidado de n?o confundir concis?o com ausência de estilo, porque corremos o risco de verter textos pasteurizados, com a desumanidade de uma IA.

Clear, concise writing is often associated with professionalism. Removing filler words helps create a more polished and refined piece of writing. Writing without filler words is reader-friendly. It respects the reader's time and attention, delivering information in a straightforward manner.

Concise writing is often more effective. Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases that don't add to your message. Be on the lookout for filler words like "very," "really," or "just," which often don't add much meaning. Similarly, be mindful of redundancy. If you've already said something once, you usually don't need to repeat it.

The "filler" words are, quite rightly, extra. When we catch ourselves using them, let us pause for a moment of introspection to ask ourselves what is wrong with the primary idea we wanted to convey: is it no longer clear, has it lost its force, are we blocked? Let's go back to the original message, visualise again the idea that brought us to want to convey it and evaluate if, perhaps, we have lost something along the way that is leading us to use filler words.

Always remember the written word is different than the spoken word. Use concise phraseology, avoid using abbreviations and slang. If you decide to use English write in such away, somebody who is not English will easily understand. A business style correspondence is worded differently than a letter to a friend or family. Make every effort not to be ambiguous in your use of words, do not make people read “between the lines” this can be very dangerous. Never be rude and offensive, the written word is hard to take back!

Consistent sentence structure can significantly improve the readability of your writing. This is especially true when making lists or comparisons. When each item in a list follows the same structure, your reader can follow along more easily.

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, involves using consistent grammatical structures in a series of words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. This creates balance and clarity in your writing. For example, in a series, ensure that each item is expressed in a similar grammatical form. Example of parallel structure: "Not only did she enjoy hiking, but she also loved swimming and cycling." In this sentence, the parallel structure is maintained by using the same structure for each activity ("enjoy hiking," "loved swimming," "cycling"). This improves readability and emphasizes the relationship between the elements.

I've written for CEOs, five national news outlets and corporate channels and always spend time simplifying language. Think about the practice of using clear, accessible language as a way of respecting your reader. Why make them do the work when you can do it for them? But this isn't easy! Two potential challenges to keep in mind: 1) It takes time to distill complex information or replace industry jargon with words your audience will understand. Plan ahead if you're not used to doing this. 2) You may face resistance in certain environments, such as academic, legal or scientific circles but stay strong. You will see results.

When I’m asked to answer a Q&A, I first answer all the questions with one thought - in one sentence. Then I go back through the Qs and elaborate on that one sentence with no more than two additional sentences. If the A is clearly explained, then no more than three sentences is necessary.

When you first write something, don't worry about how it sounds. Write without thinking about length or conciseness. Read that first draft out-loud and listen for what sounds off or what feels like a mouthful to say. Ask yourself, what's making it feel long? Can I deliver the same message in different or fewer words? Make your edits and repeat the process. You can't have a final draft without the first!

The proclivity for the functionality of the heuristical approach to the solution of the conundrum circling the towering propensity of the African start-up eco-system... ...You see how that bored you real quick? Don't do that. Be as simple and straight-forward as possible. No need for heavy vocabulary; there's really no need.

Always aim for simplicity in your writing. Avoid complicated language and jargon that might confuse your reader. Remember, the goal is to communicate your message effectively, not to impress with big words. If you must use technical terms, be sure to explain them so that your audience can understand.

Read everything out loud. Writing is music. It needs to be heard. And when you hear it, you will know when sentences are too long or complex. You’ll hear where word choices don’t work. You’ll pick the perfect places to punch with alliteration. Reading aloud refines your voice and better serves your audience.

I've started to use the read aloud option in Word to get a sense of how text flows. Has been a great tool in finding areas to trim and refine.

It's been my goal to be a concise writer (and communicator) for most of my career. The fact is, brevity doesn't come easy for me! As a result, editing has become the most important part of my writing process. Avoid editing while drafting. It's important to come back to this step after you've got your initial ideas on paper. When working on my book, my editor challenged me to remove all 113 instances of "that" in a single chapter. Guess what? I did it. I was using the word when it wasn't needed, which was easier to spot in the editing phase. The lesson is scrutinize every word and leave it in only if it contributes to your point in a meaningful way.

We are notoriously bad at proofreading our own text. Why? Because we know what we intended to write. Our mind finds the phrase we intended - not the one we wrote.

Editing your own writing is one of the most important parts of the process, and one of the best skills you can have. After you're done writing, take some time away from it before you come back so you can edit with fresh eyes. Be critical. Be ruthless. This is the time to check for not just minor errors but also gaps or flaws in your argument.

Assume that you are writing for a 10-year-old kid. Make the writing simple, jargon-free. Variation. Write in your normal style and edit as if it is meant for a 10-year-old kid. Use simple evocative words. Finally, read aloud what you have written imagining the kid's expression as he is hearing you. Stop whenever you see a question mark on his face! I learnt this years ago from a great copyw riter.

1. Write for the purpose and for the audience. Not for yourself. 2. Drop the ‘ly’. Eg ‘firstly’ becomes ‘first’. 3. Use contractions. Eg they’re, they’ve etc 4. Simplify everything. 5. Focus on the what, why, when, where, how and who. 6. Layer your information. Everything needs to make sense no matter where the reader stops reading. 7. Allow more time. It’s easy to write more. It’s difficult to write less and still deliver valuable content.

Embracing silence is a tip often overlooked. Think of your words like spices in a dish—too many, and it's overwhelming. Let your content breathe. Don't fear the white spaces; they speak volumes. Also, counter to the 'less is more' adage, sometimes 'more' is necessary. If a few extra words enhance clarity or emphasize a point, don't hesitate. Lastly, break the rules occasionally. A well-placed unconventional sentence or unexpected turn of phrase can captivate attention. So, in the pursuit of conciseness, remember: sometimes, the power lies in the pause and the audacity to go beyond the expected.

The purpose of most forms of business writing is to get your point across, not to make yourself heard. Business is writing not about you. Be as brief as possible. Because you audience has other things to do and so do you.

Read great concise writers! Hemingway, Twain, and Malcolm Gladwell are all masters of clarity. Learn from the best and hone your own skills.