Essay Tips: Trim It Down
Reduce cluttered language, whether or not your essay is under the word limit. Here are some tips to help you trim unnecessary words:
Avoid passive voice.
Example: “The game was won by the other team.” (8 words)
Revised: “The other team won the game.” (6 words)
Use descriptive verbs.
Example: “I came to the conclusion that my mother knows best.” (10 words)
Revised: “I concluded that my mother knows best.” (7 words)
Avoid redundancy.
Example: “Last March, during the spring, I joined the chess club.” (10 words)
Revised: “Last March I joined the chess club.” (7 words)
That said, make sure you’re happy with the shape and content of your piece before you begin this kind of scrutiny. It’s best to leave editing for the final stage of the essay-writing process.
