G0472
Week 9 :
“ WORD CHOICE IN EDITING “
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Learning Outcomes
Students are expected to be able to
use editing system to find and edit
incorrect words in a manuscript.
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If you frequently find words like "awkward," "vague,“ or
"wordy" in between the lines and on the margins of your
graded papers, you definitely have to find the right word
s to replace it.
Finding the right words is fundamentally an issue of
choice, which means first locating what’s not quite right
with original choices.
Revising for word choice is not about prettifying your
writing or sounding sophisticated; it is about expressing
your ideas clearly and effectively.
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Review your Diction:
Remember that others are reading your paper
and that even the choice of one word can
affect their response to it. Try to anticipate
their response, and choose your words
accordingly.
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Example:
• Original: The media's exploitation of the
Watergate scandal showed how biased it
was already.
• Edited: The media's coverage of the
Watergate scandal suggests that
perhaps those in the media had already
determined Nixon’s guilt.
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Helpful Hints for the Wordy
Increasing Clarity by Eliminating Wordiness:
I came to the realization that = I realized that
She is of the opinion that = She thinks that
Concerning the matter of = About
During the course of = During
In the event that = If
In the process of = During, while
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Clichés: Why to avoid them and how
Clichés are catchy little phrases so frequently used
that they’ve become trite, corny, or annoying. They
are problematic in our writing because their
overuse has diminished their impact and because
they require several words where just one would
do. Example:
Agree to disagree = Disagree
Last but not least = Last
Up in the air = Unknown/undecided
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Word Traps
Can you read these right the first time?
1) The bandage was wound around the
wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse
more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead
out.
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Conciseness
1. Eliminate unnecessary determiners and
modifiers
2. Change phrases into single words
3. Change unnecessary that, who, and which
clauses into phrases
4. Avoid overusing expletives at the beginning of
sentences
5. Use active rather than passive verbs
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Conciseness
6. Avoid overusing noun forms of verbs
7. Reword unnecessary infinitive phrases
8. Replace circumlocutions with direct
expressions
9. Omit words that explain the obvious or
provide excessive detail
10. Omit repetitive wording
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Sources and further readings
• Conciseness: Methods of Eliminating Wordiness
– URL
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_co
ncise.html)
• Exercises for Eliminating Wordiness
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_conci
seEX1.html)
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