For Shorter, Snappier Writing | Brandeis University

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Writing Program > University Writing Seminar (UWS) > For Shorter, Snappier Writing

For Shorter, Snappier Writing

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For Shorter, Snappier Writing:

This exercise, which can be conducted over the course of a few nights or during a single class, shows students that they can sharpen their ideas and prose by taking out the padding.

Ask your students to write a piece (a summary, an argument), whatever fits with your course content.
Ask them to count the sentences used in that piece.
Have them halve the length of the assignment while retaining the meaning, and urge them to employ different grammatical constructions.
When students are done, you can ask them to halve the text again.
Finally, ask them to evaluate which piece they like best--chances are many of them will like the shortest version best.