Conciseness and SAE

Natasha Luepke

Agenda

Conciseness Standard American English

Conciseness

What does it mean to be concise?

Conciseness

Why is being concise important in a business situation?

Concise Tips

Remove unnecessary or redundant words.

Take out empty words Replace phrases with a single word Reconsider sentences with “it is” and

“there is/are.”

Adapted from Lunsford, A. (2005) The Everyday Writer (3rd ed). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s

Removing Words

Consider what the audience already knows

Consider the obvious

Example

Wordy: Imagine a mental picture of someone engaged in the intellectual activity of trying to learn what the rules are for how to play the game of chess. (27 words)

From Writing Lab, OWL at Purdue, Purdue University. (2006) The OWL at Perdue. < owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/572/01 > [10 Mar 09]

Wordy: Imagine a mental picture of someone engaged in the intellectual activity of trying to learn what the rules are for how to play the game of chess. (27 words)

Concise: Imagine someone trying to learn the rules of chess. (9 words)

From Writing Lab, OWL at Purdue, Purdue University. (2006) The OWL at Perdue. < owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/572/01 > [10 Mar 09]

Redundancy

Avoid saying the same thing twice in a row.

I mean, avoid saying the same thing twice!

Redundant Examples

Redundant 12 noon Close proximity Each and every End result Exactly the same Free gift Period of four days Repeat again Small in size True facts

Concise Noon Proximity Each [or every] Result The same Gift Four days Repeat Small Facts

Empty Words

Empty words are filler, and do not add anything to your overall message

Empty Examples

kind of sort of type of really basically for all intents and purposes definitely actually generally individual specific particular

Meaningless Modifiers

Absolutely Awesome Awfully Central Definitely Fine Interesting Great Literally Major Really Very

Phrases

You can often replace a long, wordy phrase with just one word

Phrase Examples

Wordy At all times At the present time At that point in time Due to the fact that For the purpose of In order to In spite of the fact that In the event that

Concise Always Now/today/presently Then Because For To Although If

It is/There are

These phrases are called “expletives.” Can be useful for emphasis Overuse = wordy

It is/There are Examples

Wordy: It is the governor who signs or vetoes bills. (9 words)

Concise: The governor signs or vetoes bills. (6 words)

Wordy: There are four rules that should be observed: ... (8 words)

Concise: Four rules should be observed:... (5 words)

From Writing Lab, OWL at Purdue, Purdue University. (2006) The OWL at Perdue. < owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/572/01 > [10 Mar 09]

Standard American English

“Standard American English is the communal language of educated professionals. It is easily understood by persons from all geographical regions, different educational backgrounds, and different ethnic and racial associations.

Persons who deal with the public and who want to present themselves as educated professionals need to understand the importance of having professional quality communication skills.”

-- James L. Fitch, Ph.D. Auburn University

What is it?

It can be easier to think of examples of non-standard American English:

Y’all, howdy, dere [there], tree [three], pin [pen], pop, cah [car], ain’t, don’t for doesn’t, be for are/am

How do I learn SAE?

If those around you do not speak SAE, it can be difficult to learn.

Read as much as you can, and watch/listen to as much as you can

Practice Take quizzes Ask questions Know your audience

Questions?