Delete unnecessary intensifiers.

Although intensifiers such as very, really, clearly, quite, and of course can strengthen statements, eliminating them or substituting more forceful words is often more effective.

Some intensifiers are unnecessary because the words they modify are already as strong as possible, such as unique.

Eliminate unnecessary hedges.

Writers use hedges such as apparently, seem, perhaps, possibly, to a certain extent, tend, and somewhat to avoid making claims that they cannot substantiate. Hedges add subtlety to prose and acknowledge the possibility of important exceptions. Too many hedges, however, make writing too tentative.