Take Away One Word Or Two

Unlocking the Power of Subtraction: The Art of Taking Away One Word (or Two) in Writing

In the realm of writing, where every word counts, the ability to take away one word or two can be a transformative skill. It's not about deleting words haphazardly; it's about refining your prose, sharpening your message, and ultimately, making your writing more impactful. This article delves into the art of subtraction in writing, exploring its benefits, techniques, and providing practical examples to help you master this crucial skill.

Introduction: Why Less is Often More

We often believe that more words equate to more clarity or sophistication. However, this isn't always the case. Overly verbose writing can bury your core message, leaving your audience feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. The principle of "less is more" applies powerfully to writing. By consciously choosing to take away one word or two, or even more, we can:

Enhance Clarity: Removing unnecessary words strips away the clutter, allowing the essential message to shine.
Increase Impact: Concise writing commands attention. Every word carries weight, resonating more powerfully with the reader.
Improve Readability: Shorter sentences and paragraphs are easier to digest, making your writing more accessible.
Tighten Flow: Eliminating redundancies creates a smoother, more engaging reading experience.
Show Confidence: Confident writers aren't afraid to be concise. They trust that their message is strong enough to stand on its own, without excessive embellishment.

Identifying Redundancies: The First Step to Subtraction

The first step in learning to take away one word or two is to identify redundancies. Redundancies are words or phrases that repeat the same meaning, adding unnecessary bulk to your writing. Here are some common types of redundancies to watch out for:

Tautologies: These are phrases that repeat the same idea using different words (e.g., "basic fundamentals," "completely unanimous").
Unnecessary Adverbs and Adjectives: Many adverbs and adjectives add little to the meaning of a sentence and can be safely removed (e.g., "He ran quickly," "a very beautiful sunset").
Prepositional Phrases: Overuse of prepositional phrases can make your writing clunky. Look for opportunities to rephrase sentences to eliminate them (e.g., "The book on the table is mine" can become "The tabletop book is mine").
Clichés: Cliches are overused phrases that have lost their impact. Replacing them with more original language or simply removing them can strengthen your writing (e.g., "at the end of the day," "think outside the box").
Filler Words: Words like "that," "just," "really," and "actually" often add little to the meaning of a sentence and can be safely omitted.

Examples of Redundancy Removal:

Original: "The reason why he was late was because he missed the bus."
Revised: "He was late because he missed the bus." (Removed "why" and "the reason")
Original: "She spoke briefly and concisely."
Revised: "She spoke concisely." (Removed "briefly" as it conveys a similar meaning)
Original: "The round circle was perfectly shaped."
Revised: "The circle was perfectly shaped." (Removed "round" as all circles are round)

Streamlining Sentence Structure: Beyond Individual Words

Sometimes, the problem isn't just individual words but the overall structure of the sentence. To effectively take away one word or two, you need to analyze how sentences are constructed and identify opportunities for simplification.

Active vs. Passive Voice: Passive voice often adds unnecessary words and can make your writing sound weaker. Convert passive sentences to active voice whenever possible.
- Passive: "The ball was thrown by the boy."
- Active: "The boy threw the ball."
Complex vs. Simple Sentences: While complex sentences can be useful for conveying nuanced ideas, overuse can lead to reader fatigue. Break up long, complex sentences into shorter, simpler ones.
- Complex: "Because the weather was bad and the traffic was heavy, we arrived late to the meeting, which caused us to miss the first part of the presentation."
- Simple: "The weather was bad, and the traffic was heavy. We arrived late to the meeting and missed the first part of the presentation."
Nominalizations: Nominalizations are verbs or adjectives that have been turned into nouns (e.g., "implementation" instead of "implement," "discussion" instead of "discuss"). Using verbs and adjectives directly often makes your writing more concise and direct.
- Nominalization: "The implementation of the plan was successful."
- Verb: "The plan was implemented successfully."

The Art of Implication: Saying More with Less

Sometimes, the most effective way to take away one word or two is to imply rather than explicitly state something. This requires trusting your audience to make logical connections and inferences.

Show, Don't Tell: Instead of telling your readers how someone feels, show them through their actions and dialogue.
- Telling: "He was angry."
- Showing: "He slammed his fist on the table, his face flushed red."
Using Strong Verbs: Strong verbs can often replace adverbs and help you convey meaning more efficiently.
- Weak: "He walked slowly."
- Strong: "He ambled."
Concise Descriptions: Avoid overly detailed descriptions. Focus on the most important details and trust your readers to fill in the gaps.
- Verbose: "The old house was painted a faded yellow, with peeling paint and overgrown ivy covering the walls. The windows were cracked and the porch sagged."
- Concise: "The old house was a study in decay."

Practical Techniques for Subtraction: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we've explored the theory behind subtraction, let's look at some practical techniques you can use to take away one word or two in your own writing:

Read Aloud: Reading your writing aloud helps you identify awkward phrasing and unnecessary words that you might miss when reading silently.
Print It Out: Seeing your writing on paper can give you a fresh perspective and make it easier to spot areas for improvement.
Use a Style Guide: Style guides like The Elements of Style by Strunk and White offer valuable advice on writing concisely and effectively.
Ask for Feedback: Get feedback from trusted colleagues or friends. They can often identify redundancies and areas for improvement that you might overlook.
Embrace Revision: Revision is a crucial part of the writing process. Don't be afraid to cut and rewrite until you're satisfied with the result.
Target Specific Weaknesses: If you know you have a tendency to overuse adverbs or passive voice, make a conscious effort to identify and eliminate them in your writing.
Utilize Editing Tools: Grammar and style checking software can help you identify potential redundancies and areas for improvement. However, don't rely on them blindly. Always use your own judgment to determine whether a suggested change is appropriate.

Examples in Different Writing Styles

The principles of subtraction apply to various writing styles, from academic papers to creative fiction. Let's examine some examples:

Academic Writing:

Original: "This study seeks to investigate the impact that social media has on the political opinions of young adults in today's society."
Revised: "This study investigates the impact of social media on young adults' political opinions." (Removed "of young adults in today's society" as it's implied)

Business Writing:

Original: "Please be advised that we are currently in the process of reviewing your application."
Revised: "We are reviewing your application." (Removed "Please be advised that we are currently in the process of")

Creative Writing:

Original: "The old man walked slowly and deliberately down the street, his cane tapping rhythmically on the pavement."
Revised: "The old man ambled down the street, his cane tapping on the pavement." (Replaced "walked slowly and deliberately" with "ambled" and removed "rhythmically" as the tapping sound already implies rhythm)

Journalistic Writing:

Original: "The mayor announced yesterday that the city will be implementing a new recycling program in the near future."
Revised: "The mayor announced a new city recycling program." (Removed "yesterday" as the publication date provides the context, removed "implementing," and "in the near future" as it's implied)

The Pitfalls of Over-Editing: Knowing When to Stop

While subtraction is a powerful tool, it's important to avoid over-editing. There's a point at which removing too many words can make your writing sound choppy, robotic, or lacking in personality. Here are some signs that you might be over-editing:

Loss of Voice: If your writing starts to sound bland and impersonal, you may have removed too much of your unique voice.
Unclear Meaning: If removing words makes your writing ambiguous or difficult to understand, you've gone too far.
Forced Conciseness: If you're forcing yourself to remove words even when it doesn't improve the writing, you're likely over-editing.

The key is to strike a balance between conciseness and clarity, ensuring that your writing is both efficient and engaging.

Scientific Explanation: Why Subtraction Works

The effectiveness of subtraction in writing can be explained through principles of cognitive psychology. Our brains have limited cognitive resources, and processing unnecessary information requires more mental effort. By removing redundancies and streamlining sentences, we reduce the cognitive load on the reader, making it easier for them to understand and remember the message.

Furthermore, concise writing commands attention because it aligns with our natural preference for efficiency. We are drawn to information that is presented clearly and directly, without unnecessary embellishment. This is why strong, impactful writing often relies on the principle of "less is more."

FAQ: Common Questions About Subtraction in Writing

Q: How do I know which words to remove?
- A: Look for redundancies, filler words, and phrases that don't add significant meaning to the sentence. Read your writing aloud and ask for feedback from others.
Q: Is it always better to use shorter sentences?
- A: Not always. While shorter sentences are generally easier to read, a mix of sentence lengths can create a more dynamic and engaging reading experience.
Q: How can I improve my vocabulary to avoid redundancies?
- A: Read widely and use a thesaurus to find alternative words that convey similar meanings. Pay attention to how professional writers use language and try to emulate their style.
Q: Does subtraction apply to all types of writing?
- A: The principles of subtraction are applicable to most types of writing, but the degree to which you apply them may vary depending on the specific context and audience.
Q: What if I'm worried about my writing sounding too simplistic if I remove too many words?
- A: Simplistic doesn't necessarily mean bad. Clear and concise writing is often more effective than complex and convoluted writing. However, you can still maintain sophistication by using strong vocabulary and varying your sentence structure.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Less

The ability to take away one word or two is a powerful skill that can transform your writing from average to exceptional. By consciously identifying redundancies, streamlining sentence structure, and embracing the art of implication, you can create writing that is clearer, more impactful, and more engaging. While it takes practice and a willingness to revise, the rewards are well worth the effort. So, embrace the power of less and unlock the full potential of your writing.