How to Edit Your Essay and Make Your Writing Laconic

Making your paper laconic is crucial, but it requires certain skills. We bet you do not really like reading paragraphs, which do not specify anything particular or really long sentences. Your main objective is to inform your reader about something, so your writing has to be professional enough. However, it is not necessary at all to interrupt the flow of your writing just to check whether you are laconic enough. Editing is to help you make your essay more laconic and precise. Below, you will find some tips on how to make your writing readable and more understandable to your reader.

No general words – only specific ones

To express specific points, writers use small and dubious words. Your work might seem a bit confusing if you include too many small words. It is possible to reach laconic writing by adding more specific words. For that purpose, it’s recommended to use a thesaurus. For example:

The deputy informed people about hassles relating martial law in the country on local TV.- The deputy addressed martial law on local TV.

Each word in your sentence has to be questioned

In the process of writing, it is recommended to check each of the words to make sure it conveys something essential to your sentence. If some words don’t, just substitute or get rid of them.

For example:

My professor showed me how to cut useless words from my English essay I wrote in class today. – My professor showed me various techniques of cutting useless words from my essay.

Combined sentences

Sometimes, it is required to combine two sentences without decreasing their value, in case information doesn’t require a full sentence. Such combined sentences form laconic information.

For example:

The director’s movies show moral values and the significance of mutual respect between people. She created four movies. – Four movies of this director show moral values and the significance of mutual respect between people.

Remove those words which emphasize obvious things

Always think of readers when trying to make your essay laconic. If you noticed that some of the phrases or sentences show things obvious to everyone paraphrase or simply get rid of them, otherwise readers will lose interest in your paper.

For example:

She got my inquiry about LED screens yesterday, and read it with special attention. – She got my inquiry about LED screens yesterday.

Remove unnecessary determiners

Removing words or phrases, which do not contribute to the entire sentence but define the noun won’t destroy the meaning of your sentence, so you can easily do that. If you are not sure about its necessity, just write down your sentence without it. Does it make sense? Then this phrase is not necessary. If the sentence lost its meaning, then you should leave it.

For example:

I don’t really like any particular type of activity in this club. – I don’t like any activity in this club.

Avoid repeating words

Make sure not to mention some words and phrases too often in the text, especially in the same paragraph. If they don’t contribute to the content of your text, they are just not necessary.

For example:

Our company hired six new employees. These employees worked hard on the weekdays. – Our company hired six new employees who worked hard on the weekdays.

No excessive pairs or categories

Sometimes, we tend to you the word pairs implying each other, so pay attention to such pairs and avoid them. For example: sad tragedy, surprise, result, etc. some examples of excessive or redundant categories are: large in size, green color, a period in time, etc.

Phrases can be transformed into single words and adjectives

If possible, transform phrases describing something into single words or adjectives.

For example:

A student who works hard will always reach his goal. – A hard-working student will always reach his goal.

Who, which, that clauses have to be converted to phrases

As long as it is possible, transform clauses to single words or phrases.

For example:

All applicants who are willing to enter our University have to write a perfect essay. – All applicants have to write a perfect essay.

Active voice instead of passive voice

Try to use the active voice, while such phrases are laconic and precise.

For example:

This paper was written by John. – John wrote this paper.

Avoid abusing expletives at the beginning of your sentences

In some situations, such expletives as there+be-verb or it+be-verb are very effective, but not at the very beginning of the sentence.

For example:

It’s the coach who is supposed to motivate our team. – The coach is supposed to motivate our team.

Don’t abuse noun forms of some verbs

Whenever possible, use verbs instead of noun forms. Verbs are used to engage the readers and keep their interest.

For example:

My life is a collection of memories. – I collect memories.

Some other don’ts

• Do not use there is/there are too often.
• Avoid such words as basically, more, actually, really, very.
• Don’t use clichés.

If you want your paper to be more professional and interesting to your reader, make it laconic. Don’t hesitate to use all the above-mentioned tips to edit your essay.