One Tool Writers Should Use

Writer's Tools

The writer's toolbox above shows lots of pencils and one pair of scissors. We know we'll use those pencils when we write something in longhand but why the scissors? They cut, don't they?

Cutting is as much a part of writing as putting the words down for that first draft. Many Writer Guidelines specify a word count. You'd better stick to what they recommend or your submission will be tossed like an empty milk carton. 

Let's face it. Writers hate to cut any of the precious words they have written. Take another look at the preceding sentence. It's 12 words. I could have written it this way: Writers hate to cut precious words they've written. The meaning is the same but it's now 8 words. Do that with enough sentences and you can cut a good number of words.

You can do away with the word the in many instances. The dancers dipped and swayed across the stage. It loses nothing if you write the sentence this way:  Dancers dipped and swayed across the stage. Sure, it's only one word but cutting a word here and there throughout a full piece of writing can make a difference. A faucet may drip one drop at a time but the amount of water adds up fairly fast. Don't belittle one drip or that one word.

Another way to cut is to use contractions. Instead of have not, use haven't. Only one word cut but you can use a lot of contractions in a 1000 word piece. I'll, I'd, He'd, can't, won't and many more.

How about using also instead of in addition to? Or use conversely instead of on the other hand. You get rid of 2 words in the first example and 3 in the second one. 

We all use too many of those unnecessary words like really, very, up, down and many others. Google a list of unnecessary words. You'll be amazed at how many there are. 

Another way to cut is to make sure you have not made the same point but using different words twice. It's so easy to make a point in an essay and in the very next paragraph say it again. Different words may mask it but why repeat the same thing? Get rid of the second sentence, or even paragraph, and you've cut a lot of words and not bored your reader by being redundant.  

When you read through your first draft, make sure the points you have made are necessary, that they pertain to the topic. It's all too easy to toss in something that sounds nice but is off-topic. Cut it!

One more way to cut words is to be stingy with adjectives. One or two is just fine. There are writers who persist in using a handful. You can cut a good many adverbs, too. They get you in enough trouble by telling rather than showing.

Ther are many small ways to cut words. The more you practice, the better you will become at recognizing how to do it. One of the big benefits of cutting words is that you will end with a piece with stronger writing.