By Paige Brickle
It’s easy when doing an assignment to think that the more you write the better it will be. Students often feel that they have to fill the page or hit a certain word count. Yet in fact the opposite is true. Making your writing longer by adding extra sentences, repeating the same point, or including irrelevant details can make it more difficult to understand. The best thing you can sometimes do for your writing is to press the delete button.
When you go back to edit your work, don’t simply check for grammar and spelling errors. For each sentence consider whether it contributes something important. If you have already explained an idea and then say the same thing in a different way, one of those sentences is probably unnecessary. Likewise with details that have only a weak connection to your main point. Removing them can make your writing more direct and easier for your reader to follow.
One good method for identifying things you can eliminate is to look for repetition. For example, if you are writing about the pressure that college students experience when deciding on a career, you might say they feel rushed about deciding their future. If you make that exact same point a few sentences later, then you probably don’t need to include both explanations. Similarly, you can look for unnecessary expressions such as “I think,” “in my opinion,” or “the fact that”. In most cases, getting rid of these words strengthens the sentence without changing your message. If you have trouble finding filler words, use the method of reading your work out loud. You may notice phrases that make your sentences longer without adding meaning. Another useful tip is to ask a pier to read aloud your writing and point out any repeated parts.
It can be quite difficult to delete some of your writing if you have spent a great deal of time on it. You may like a particular sentence or paragraph because so much effort went into it. As this may be true that doesn’t mean it should be included in the final version. If it doesn’t support your main point, removing it can improve the whole piece. At the same time, editing isn’t about removing all the things you have written, it’s also about keeping only those elements which help your reader. Your examples, choice of words, and opinions can help show your personality through your writing. The overall goal is to keep the parts that make your writing unique while also removing any distractions from the main point.
When you next edit an assignment, allow yourself the chance to delete. Search out repeated ideas, unnecessary words, and any details that draw attention away from your main point. It isn’t about using the most words in your writing, it’s about ensuring that the most words you retain are significant. The most powerful thing you can include in your writing at times is nothing, just the courage to hit delete.