1. Five Ways to Cut the Clutter Source: Richard Nordquist

2. "I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil." --Truman Capote

3. 1) Use Active Verbs Whenever possible, make the subject of a sentence do something. subject Wordy: The grant proposals were reviewed by the students. Revised: The students reviewed the grant proposals.

4. 2) Don't Try to Show Off As Leonardo da Vinci observed, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Don't presume that big words or lengthy phrases will impress your readers: often the simplest word is the best. Wordy: At this moment in time, students who are matriculating through high school should be empowered to participate in the voting process. Revised: High school students should have the right to vote.

5. 3) Cut Empty Phrases… – all things being equal –all things considered –as a matter of fact –as far as I am concerned –at the end of the day –at the present time –due to the fact that –for all intents and purposes –for the most part –for the purpose of –in a manner of speaking –in my opinion –in the event of –in the final analysis –it seems that –the point that I am trying to make –type of –what I am trying to say –what I want to make clear

6. 3) …including clichés – big fish in a small pond –who I am today –don‘t judge a book by its cover –life has its ups and down

7. Wordy: All things being equal, what I am trying to say is that in my opinion all students should, in the final analysis, have the right to vote for all intents and purposes. Revised: Students should have the right to vote.

8. 4) Avoid Using Noun Forms of Verbs The fancy name for this process is "excessive nominalization." Our advice: don't name something when you can show it instead. Wordy: The presentation of the arguments by the students was convincing. Revised: The students presented their arguments convincingly. Or... The students argued convincingly.

9. 5) Replace Vague Nouns Replace vague nouns (such as area, aspect, case, factor, manner, situation, something, thing, type, and way) with more specific words--or eliminate them altogether. Wordy: After reading several things in the area of psychology-type subjects, I decided to put myself in a situation where I might change my major. Revised: After reading several psychology books, I decided to change my major.