Conciseness
Conciseness—One of Six ‘C’ Qualities of Effective Communication
The ‘C of Conciseness’, one of six Cs which represents the six (6) qualities of effective communication, is concerned with the application of techniques that ensures conciseness in a message.
Conciseness means saying what needs to be said in as few words as possible. It is important to keep the message crisp and concise.
Conciseness lends both credence and courtesy to your messages.
Remember that courtesyOpens in new window helps you build and maintain goodwill. It adds not only to the efficacy of the message but also saves the receiver’s time in understanding it.
Lengthy messages are not only boring but are also distracting to the receiver.
As you edit and revise your writing, use the following methods to develop concise messages that are courteous and clear:
- Eliminate unnecessary words.
- Select action verbs Opens in new window and efficient words.
- Use necessary modifiers.
- Compose messages in the active voice Opens in new window.
- Maintain a simple and direct style (Avoid roundabout language).
1. Eliminate Unnecessary Words
Write naturally! Keep that two-word command in mind as you create messages.
Use a conversational tone; write as though you were communicating face-to-face. Enhance clarityOpens in new window and conciseness by using only the necessary words.
After you compose a draft, edit your message to eliminate unnecessary words.
Note the difference in the following examples:
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Wordy
- No small amount of respect for the reader is shown by the considerate utilization of positive lexical choices. Concise
- Positive words show respect for the reader.
You might notice the wordy version contains 18 words. The concise version eliminated unnecessary words and reduced the word count to seven (7) words.
2. Select Action Verbs and Efficient Words
Some writers use wordy phrases even though action verbs make clearer, shorter, more concise statements.
Compare the wordy phrases with the action verb messages in the underneath examples.
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Wordy Phrases
- Please make an agreement to purchase the Marco system.
- Dr. Parker made a contribution of $500 to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. Action Verbs
- Please agree to purchase the Marco system.
- Dr. Parker contributed $500 to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.
After you choose action verbs, check for efficient, concise words. In the following examples, note how concise expressions reduce the word count:
-
Wordy Phrases
- During the time that you were in Japan, which cities did you visit?
- Please move the box off of the desk. Concise Words
- While you were in Japan, which cities did you visit?
- Please move the box off the desk.
Also, take note of Unnecessary Repetitive Words:
-
Needless Repetitions
- Please endorse your name on the back of this cheque.
- We must meet together at 10:30 a.m in the morning.
- Our new model is longer in length than the old one.
- If you are not satisfied, return it back to us.
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Repetitions Eliminated
- Please endorse this cheque.
- We must meet at 10:30 a.m.
- Our new model is longer than the old one.
- If you are not satisfied, return it.
For concise expression that you might use to replace inefficient words and phrases, you may review additional examples of concise expressions below: |
| Avoid Inefficient Words and Phrases | Use Efficient Words and Phrases |
|---|---|
| as a matter of fact | in fact (or indeed) |
| at an early date | Give a specific date. |
| at that point in time | then |
| at this time; at this point in time | now |
| because of the fact that | because |
| during the month of May | during May |
| each and every | each |
| enclosed herewith | enclosed |
| for an extended period of time | Give an exact time. |
| for the amount of $320 | for $320 |
| I would appreciate it if | please |
| in accordance with your suggestion | as you suggested |
| in spite of the fact that | although |
| in the city of Cincinnati | in Cincinnati |
| in the last analysis | Do not use this phrase. |
| off of | off |
| please do not hesitate to contact us | please contact us |
| please find enclosed | State what is enclosed. |
| thank you in advance | Do not use this phrase. |
| until such time as | until |
3. Use Necessary Modifiers
Select a word or phrase only when the word or phrase serves a purpose.
Avoid unnecessary modifiers and doublet phrases—phrases that say the same thing twice, such as the honest truth.
Compare the following sentences:
-
Unnecessary Modifiers
- Selichi will teach an origami class in the month of May.
- The team leader suggested a very unique solution.
- Revisions
- Selichi will teach an origami class in May.
- The team leader suggested a unique solution.
4. Compose Messages in the Active Voice
In the active voiceOpens in new window, the subjectOpens in new window of the sentence performs some action. The passive voiceOpens in new window shows the subject receiving the action. Passive constructions add unnecessary words, usually in the form of prepositional phrases.
Changing from the passive to the active voice makes the messages more succinct. Note the examples below:
- Passive Voice
- The meal was cooked by the head chef.
- The overgrown trees were trimmed by the power company.
- Active Voice
- The head chef cooked the meal.
- The power company trimmed the overgrown trees.
Select the passive voice when you want to avoid placing specific blame on someone. In a negative situation, the passive voiceOpens in new window sounds more diplomatic and tactful than the active voice. Note how the active voice examples have accusatory tones:
|