EWRT1A-24: conciseness

We didn't get around to talking about conciseness in class, but be sure to read the chapter in the Longman, pages 190-191. Conciseness is a style choice and not everyone values it. Still, while you're in this class try to cut down on wordiness, try to write things as clearly and directly as possible. See how it works for you. Of course, when you're done with this class, you can do whatever you want.

Anyway, the book has a lot of good suggestions for how to get rid if unnecessary wordiness. My one addition is to focus on verbs.

• Careful verb choice eliminates the need for adverbs.
  - He walked very slowly around the table.
  > He crept around the table.
  
• Active verbs eliminate overly wordy "to be" and passive verb constructions.
  To be: There were mistakes made.
  Passive: Mistakes were made.
  Active: We made mistakes.

Here is the exercise, due Tuesday. Only five sentences this time.