Understandably, in the discussions we have with people in our
normal lives we all use superfluous words and phrases that cloud and
obscure the issues. This is often necessary to give us the thinking time
we need to summon up our thoughts while we speak. Modern politi-
cians, confronted by a throng of probing TV microphones and a posse
of journalists, have long learnt how to buy themselves extra thinking
time with wordy phrases, like ‘this moment in time’. Now even sports
people, pop stars, and managers of football teams have discovered how
useful this can be. But at least they have some excuse in that they need
to buy time to gather their thoughts. For the rest of us who can enjoy
the luxury of careful, time-consuming thought as we write our essays,
there is no excuse for phrases like ‘most importantly of all’ and ‘in
modern America of today’.Knowing what to leave out
Along with simplicity, then, economy should be our paramount concern
as we write. A. N. Whitehead described style as the ultimate morality of
the mind. By this he implied that the mind should adjudicate rigorously
on our use of words and our choice of phrases to ensure that each phrase
has a well-defined function, that sentence structures are direct, and that
words are chosen for their absolute economy of expression.
Indeed, knowing what to leave out is as important as knowing what
to include. In effect, Whitehead’s ultimate morality of the mind is the
art of knowing what not to do. Therefore, if clauses and phrases can be
summed up in a word, replace them. You’ll be surprised by the effect.
It’s worth having a sign on your computer screen or a notice pinned
over your desk reminding you constantly that the readability of your
work increases in proportion to the unnecessary words you eliminate.
But this is not the only bonus that comes from economising. Equally
important, the really significant words will no longer be smothered,
and your points and arguments will no longer be obscured by unnec-
essary words and phrases. They’ll stand out more, and they’ll have
impact to make the reader think and wonder. Take the following
sentences, remove the unnecessary phrases and see the impact. The
resulting sentences are sharper and more direct.Advertisers will tell you, if you’re thinking of making a purchase,
what’s good about their product, but omit the weaknesses.
Advertisers will tell you what’s good about their product, but omit
the weaknesses.216 WritingHTW28 7/27/01 8:40 AM Page 216