CH14 - Eliminating Wordiness Flashcards
Why is concise writing important in professional communication?
Concise writing ensures clear communication and helps the reader understand the intended meaning.
What does conciseness mean?
Using the fewest words possible to achieve the goal of communication.
What is a lead-in?
Groups of words that gear up towards the main point but are often unnecessary.
Give an example of a long lead-in.
I’m Jerry Mulligan and I’m writing this email to ask you to please consider my application for a co-op position at your firm.
What should you do with long lead-ins?
Delete them to improve the clarity of your writing.
What is the first method to make writing more concise?
Mass-delete whatever doesn’t belong.
What are unnecessarily wordy phrases?
Phrases that can be replaced with more concise equivalents.
Replace ‘due to the fact that’ with a concise equivalent.
because
What should you do with redundant words?
Delete them to streamline your writing.
Give an example of a filler expression.
‘There is,’ ‘There are,’ or ‘It is.’
What is the impact of filler expressions on writing?
They unnecessarily bulk up the total word count.
What type of language should be favored in professional writing?
Short, plain words.
Define jargon in the context of writing.
Specialized terms used for precision when appropriate for the audience.
Replace ‘commence’ with a simpler alternative.
begin
What is a common mistake in professional writing?
Using complicated or bureaucratic expressions instead of simpler alternatives.
What is the goal of communication?
To ensure the reader understands the intended meaning.
Fill in the blank: In professional communication, _____ writing is key.
clear and concise
True or False: Perfect grammar guarantees well-written communication.
False
What is the recommended approach for wordy phrases?
Replace them with concise equivalents.
What should be done with filler words when proofreading?
Identify and remove them to enhance clarity.
What is the effect of excessive jargon on writing?
It can make the writing less accessible and appear as a waste of time.
What is the advantage of using plain language?
It is more understandable and saves time.
What should you do if you encounter redundant expressions?
Delete the redundant words.
What is the best way to simplify language in writing?
Use shorter, simpler words.
Identify one of the key takeaways from this chapter.
Always strive to remove unnecessary wording.
