Discuss Style Verbs And Conciseness

Strong verbs
Use linking verbs (is, are, were, be, was, seems, etc.) to define terms, but when not needed, avoid these verbs because they often result in wordy sentence structures and “weak,” unexciting prose. Linking verbs often come to mind first, and thus they appear frequently in early drafts but these sentences should revised in revision.

Notice the difference actions verbs can make in writing.

  • There are thirty women who are registered for the door prize.
  • Thirty women registered for the door prize.

Revise the following sentences with strong verbs. Note that you can’t simply replace the weak verb with the strong verb, you’ll need to revise the entire sentence.

  1. There is one more store I have to go to before I drive home.
  2. There were only two delegates representing the student body at the meeting to nominate a new college president.
  3. One crucial scene that appears in both films is Joan of Arc’s burning at the stake

Conciseness
Revise sentences that repeat information, that contain vague adjectives (good, nice) or adverbs (really, very), or that contain unnecessary expressions (the fact of the matter).

Notice the difference revising for conciseness can make in writing.

  • The kind of apartment we are looking to rent is the kind that has hardwood floors and laundry facilities.
  • We are looking to rent an apartment with hardwood floors and laundry facilities.

Revise the following sentences for conciseness.

  1. The skirt is a muted brownish color with buttons that are black.
  2. The University of Kentucky is known as a flagship university. It is known as a flagship university because of the research and teaching that occurs there.
  3. I have a very nice dog due to the fact that I have been sure to make a lot of time to train her.
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