Year 3 · Unit 5 · Lesson 4 of 5
Writing Concisely: Every Word Counts
Due to the fact that it was raining, the match was cancelled.
This sentence has 12 words. Can you say the same thing in 8?
Because it was raining, the match was cancelled. "Due to the fact that" is four words doing the work of one. Cutting padding like this is how you meet a word limit.
Five tools for cutting words
Tool 1
Cut padding phrases.
due to the fact that → because; in order to → to; at this point in time → now; a large number of → many
Tool 2
Remove repetition.
return back → return; each and every → every; true facts → facts; a free gift → a gift
Tool 3
Combine sentences.
"The storm was strong. It damaged roofs. It damaged trees." → "The strong storm damaged roofs and trees."
Tool 4
Use one precise word.
people who watch television → viewers; made a decision → decided
Tool 5
Know your format.
Some exams ask for one sentence per point; others for a paragraph within a word limit. Count your words and stay within it.
See it done
1. Shorten: "In my personal opinion, I think that the plan is a good one."
"In my personal opinion" and "I think" say the same thing twice. Result: "I think the plan is good." (In a summary, leave opinions out entirely.)
2. Combine: "The garden supplies vegetables. The vegetables are fresh. They go to the school kitchen."
"The garden supplies fresh vegetables to the school kitchen." Three sentences become one, and no meaning is lost.
Common mistake: Cutting key points to save words. Cut padding, repetition and examples first; points come out last, and only if the question allows fewer.
10 questions with instant feedback
Choose the best answer.
1.Which sentence is the most concise?
Not quite. It says everything in the fewest words. Answer: B. Because it was raining, the match was cancelled..
Correct. It says everything in the fewest words.
Not quite. It says everything in the fewest words. Answer: B. Because it was raining, the match was cancelled..
Not quite. It says everything in the fewest words. Answer: B. Because it was raining, the match was cancelled..
2."In order to" can usually be shortened to:
Correct. "In order to" almost always means simply "to".
Not quite. "In order to" almost always means simply "to". Answer: A. to.
Not quite. "In order to" almost always means simply "to". Answer: A. to.
Not quite. "In order to" almost always means simply "to". Answer: A. to.
3.Which phrase is redundant (says the same thing twice)?
Not quite. Return already means go back, so "back" repeats it. Answer: D. return back.
Not quite. Return already means go back, so "back" repeats it. Answer: D. return back.
Not quite. Return already means go back, so "back" repeats it. Answer: D. return back.
Correct. Return already means go back, so "back" repeats it.
4.Which is the best replacement for "a large number of"?
Not quite. Many is one word with the same meaning. Answer: C. many.
Not quite. Many is one word with the same meaning. Answer: C. many.
Correct. Many is one word with the same meaning.
Not quite. Many is one word with the same meaning. Answer: C. many.
5.Which best combines "The garden supplies vegetables. The vegetables are fresh. They go to the school kitchen."?
Correct. One sentence, nothing lost, nothing repeated.
Not quite. One sentence, nothing lost, nothing repeated. Answer: A. The garden supplies fresh vegetables to the school kitchen..
Not quite. This loses who supplies them and where they go. Answer: A. The garden supplies fresh vegetables to the school kitchen..
Not quite. One sentence, nothing lost, nothing repeated. Answer: A. The garden supplies fresh vegetables to the school kitchen..
6.Which one word means "people who watch television programmes"?
Not quite. Viewers is the precise single word. Answer: D. viewers.
Not quite. Viewers is the precise single word. Answer: D. viewers.
Not quite. Viewers is the precise single word. Answer: D. viewers.
Correct. Viewers is the precise single word.
7.Which phrase is redundant?
Not quite. A gift is always free, so "free" repeats it. Answer: B. a free gift.
Correct. A gift is always free, so "free" repeats it.
Not quite. A gift is always free, so "free" repeats it. Answer: B. a free gift.
Not quite. A gift is always free, so "free" repeats it. Answer: B. a free gift.
8."At this point in time" can be shortened to:
Not quite. Now says it in one word. Answer: C. now.
Not quite. Now says it in one word. Answer: C. now.
Correct. Now says it in one word.
Not quite. Now says it in one word. Answer: C. now.
9.Which is the shortest version that keeps the meaning of "In my personal opinion, I think that the plan is a good one"?
Not quite. All the repeated "opinion" words are removed. Answer: C. I think the plan is good..
Not quite. All the repeated "opinion" words are removed. Answer: C. I think the plan is good..
Correct. All the repeated "opinion" words are removed.
Not quite. All the repeated "opinion" words are removed. Answer: C. I think the plan is good..
10.A summary must have no more than 60 words. Yours has 85. What should you do?
Not quite. Examiners do check length. Cut the least important words first so every point survives. Answer: D. Remove examples, repetition and padding until it fits..
Not quite. Examiners do check length. Cut the least important words first so every point survives. Answer: D. Remove examples, repetition and padding until it fits..
Not quite. Examiners do check length. Cut the least important words first so every point survives. Answer: D. Remove examples, repetition and padding until it fits..
Correct. Examiners do check length. Cut the least important words first so every point survives.
Cut it down
This sentence has 53 words. Rewrite it in 30 words or fewer without losing any information. Then compare with the model below.
Due to the fact that a large number of students in our school at this point in time have a tendency to arrive late each and every morning, the head teacher has made a decision to lock the gates at 7:30 a.m. in order to encourage them to be punctual and on time.
Model (22 words): Because many students arrive late every morning, the head teacher has decided to lock the gates at 7:30 a.m. to encourage punctuality.
Cuts made: due to the fact that → because; a large number of → many; at this point in time and have a tendency to → removed; each and every → every; made a decision → decided; in order to → to; punctual and on time → punctuality.
Next: the Lesson 4 exit quiz. Five questions, recorded on your dashboard. Aim for 4 out of 5.