Effective writing is often both clear and concise. When writing for clarity, we often need to add in details and specifics that also add to our word count. Once you’ve written everything you would like to say, you may need to edit to make your writing more concise. “Concise” does not mean “short” it means “no words are wasted.”
Be specific
You need to accomplish a lot as a writer in a short space. Focusing on “specific” vs. “generic” terms helps create more impactful writing
Generic refers to groups or categories.
“Ice cream” is a generic term because there are a lot of different frozen confections you could refer to as “ice cream.”
Specific refers to a particular instance of a class or category of items.
“Gelato” is more specific. It refers to a particular type of frozen dessert.
Be concrete
For impactful writing, we want our reader to be able to visualize what we mean. If our writing is abstract, it is hard to visualize.
Abstract refers to intangible characteristics or qualities.
“Honor” or “kindness” are nice qualities, but it’s hard to really picture them. They may mean different things to different people.
Concrete refers to tangible characteristics, or things we can know through our senses.
“I helped my neighbor by coming to their house and cooking lunch” demonstrates kindness in a way someone can visualize and understand.
Show don’t tell
“Telling” means we’re not often very detailed or exploring ideas in any specificity.
“I enjoyed my pre-law classes,” is a form of “telling.” Instead, define what “enjoying class” means to you. Maybe you found the lectures stimulating because your professor used real word case studies to illustrate the concepts or maybe you did additional work on your mid-term paper because you were passionate about this topic.”
“Showing” allows you to tell your reader about you and allows you to illustrate specific skills, interests, and characteristics.
In the above example, rather than simply telling them, “I’m a good fit because I enjoyed my pre-law classes” they will see that you attend class, are engaged with your own learning, and go above and beyond.
Editing Tips
Before you cut content, try using these editing techniques to “condense” your writing.
Tip 1: Re-arrange your sentences so the main idea occurs earlier in the sentence
“Since the committee voted to change it, the company’s policy will include this guidance.”
vs.
“Since the committee voted to change it, the company’s policy will include this guidance.”
Tip 2: Put action in verbs, not nouns
“I conducted an investigation.”
vs.
“I investigated.”
Tip 3: Use active voice
“Growing up, honesty and responsibility were always emphasized.”
vs.
“My family emphasized honesty and responsibility.”
Tip 4: Cut excess adjectives and adverbs
“I find it particularly difficult to reconcile the somewhat differing views expressed by the committee.”
vs.
“I find it difficult to reconcile the differing views expressed by the committee.”
Tip 5: Delete “there are, there is, that is”
“There is a common belief that adversity is important to developing character.”
vs.
“Adversity is important to developing character.”
Tip 6: Use single words instead of phrases
“In order to”
vs.
“to”
“Is able”
vs.
“can”
“In the amount of $5.00”
vs.
“$5.00”
Tip 7: avoid cliches
“In an effort not to reinvent the wheel, I decided to take a different approach.”
vs.
“I decided to take a different approach.”