Your time is valuable. When you’re reading, you want the author to be concise and precise.
Your readers will appreciate it if you extend them the same courtesy in your writing.
Let’s take a look at how this writing sample could be more concise, precise and ‘courteous’:
“The number one recommendation being made throughout the state of California by job and career transition counselors is to set up “informational interviews.” This is great advise because people create job opportunities, make introductions, motivate each other, share ideas, and support one another in a way job boards/postings alone cannot.”
- ‘…being made throughout the state of’ is excessive. It doesn’t add anything to the sentence’s meaning.
- The second sentence runs on with too many examples. A list of three usually ‘sounds’ better to our inner ear.
- ‘alone’ commits the same crime of taking up space without adding meaning. Already, we know the comparison is between ‘informational interviews’ and ‘job boards/postings’.
These slimmer sentences value the reader’s time without sacrificing meaning.
“The top recommendation of California job and career transition counselors is to set up “informational interviews.” This is great advise: people create job opportunities, make introductions, and motivate one another in a way job boards/postings cannot.”
As you write, try to pick out any excess words. It will get easier with time.
— Questions or concerns about your writing? Send them my way for some free, anonymous analysis! —
