When a new writer comes to me for advice, I typically recommend they begin their career by stocking their bookshelf with several must-read titles. Some cover the craft of writing, and others, the business. Of course, I always recommend they visit FWJ, too, including, but not limited to, the job listings and Bob Younce’s business tips.
Since this is a grammar and (to some extent) style column, what titles top my list of writing books for style, grammar and craft?
- Strunk & White’s Elements of Style
- On Writing Well – William Zinsser
- The Ten Percent Solution – Ken Rand
What is the Ten Percent Solution?
You’ve probably heard of the first two, but the last title might make you scratch your head. I consider it an unsung hero of the writing world. I’ve found this tiny little volume to be a powerful editing tool. Rand’s theory is to make your writing tighter by cutting 10 % (give or take) from any piece. He talks a bit more about it here.
You can use your ‘search’ function in your word processor to ferret out the words Rand suggests. With time, you’ll also discover your own words your writing can do without.
Here’s the start of my list of words your writing can do without. I’ll be adding to this list (including Rand’s suggestions) in the coming weeks. Use the 10% solution in your own writing, starting with these words, and you’ll find your work is tighter and more readable.
Why We Often Don’t Need “That”
I know that my writing can be better if I cut unnecessary words. / I know my writing can be better if I cut unnecessary words.
Both sentences have the exact same meaning. The second sentences conveys the meaning with one less word. Often, “that” is an extraneous word you can easily cut without affecting the meaning of your sentence, creating tighter writing.
Often, writers use the word “that” to indicate a sentence is not a direct quote. For instance: Her editor said that she didn’t need the word. I’ve always felt the lack of quotation marks is a big hint the words aren’t a direct quote.
Of course, it would break my heart to tell my 18-month-old “that” is an unnecessary word. Everything to her is either “dis” or “dat.” So… if you’re reading this… let’s keep it our little secret and let others wonder why our writing is so much smoother lately.
Seeking Alternatives to “Be/Is/Was/Were”
I’m going to use my previous example again:
I know my writing can be better if I cut unnecessary words.
I know my writing reads better if I cut unnecessary words.
I emphasize active and passive voice in a previous post. Forms of the verb “to be” often point toward passive voice. You can make your writing tighter by making it more active. Use your “search” function to find instances of “be,” “is,” “was,” and “were.” See if you can re-structure the sentence with more active verbs. And see how much tighter it makes your writing.
One of my “Ten Percent Solution” words is “so”. I frequently hunt it out and eliminate it. There are occasions when we use it for particular emphasis but most of the time the word can be cut. Its elimination rarely affects a sentence.
Thanks for sharing some of your own “Ten Percent Solution” words.
Thanks for the great writing tips! These are really useful.
Thanks for a great post! I take pride in being able
to “edit back” without losing the essence/meaning
of the text.
On an unrelated topic: kudos to you for using “they”
and “their” to represent a singular noun (writer).
I do that, too, because I’m bound and determined to
see that usage become standard and accepted.