Quick Help: Editing for conciseness

• Look for redundant words. If you are unsure about a word, read the sentence without it; if the meaning is not affected, leave the word out.
• Replace wordy phrases with a single word. Instead of because of the fact that, try because.
• Simplify grammatical structures whenever possible. For example, you might rewrite a sentence to make it more specific or combine two sentences that have the same subject or predicate.
• Identify all uses of it is, there is, and there are, and delete any that do not give your writing necessary emphasis.
• Note noun phrases whose meaning could be expressed by a verb, and try revising using the verb.
• Look for sentences that use the passive voice without a good reason. If the active voice would make the sentence livelier, clearer, or more concise, rewrite the sentence.