A Good Name for Not Being Concise

The last post was rather heavy duty, so here’s something lighter. The lesson is important, though. Being concise is one of the five main characteristics of good expository writing. Look up “concise” in the search box in the upper right corner, or request that essay about five critical techniques of good writing mentioned in the column on the right.

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I preach conciseness as an important feature of good expository writing. This comic’s punchline is about her timing, but her summary of the whole Valentine legend is excellent:

She did it in five sentences. When I find an article on this topic, it’s usually several pages.

Be like her, but watch your timing, too.

Extra words. Unless you’re being paid by the word, maybe.

Researchers spotted the trend while surveying impact craters on both Earth and our closest celestial neighbor, the moon. 

https://www.quantamagazine.org/asteroid-rate-jumped-in-solar-systems-past-20190117

Wordiness is not a virtue, folks. Be concise! And write for the reader. (You didn’t need to be told what the moon is, did you???)

Harrumpf.

PS—just in case, here’s a picture of the moon. Look familiar?

Two, actually.

I refer to the modifier “sort of.” Here’s an example from a science type who wants to be chatty and informal:

Muons are sort of like extra-heavy electrons.

https://www.quantamagazine.org/did-supernovas-kill-off-the-monster-shark-megalodon-20190115

I clearly remember Mrs. Clemens telling us in sixth grade that “sort of” was poor English—we should use “rather,” which would change that sentence to

Muons are rather like extra-heavy electrons.

Sounds a little bit stiff and formal. But even that “rather” is unnecessary! Try this on for size:

Muons are like extra-heavy electrons.

Says the same thing as the other sentences, doesn’t it? And it’s simpler, more direct, and has more punch.

Remember the rule about conciseness:

If you can leave out a word without changing the meaning, leave it out.

Also called “conciseness.” That’s the older (but still permitted) word up there in the title.

Anyway, the comic says it all: Take out unnecessary words!

“Nuff said.