http://lanyrd.com/2014/society-for-technical-communication/sctyqh (STC14 Summit session page on Lanyrd) We all want to create concise, compelling messages that win people over. But even the best writers use too many words, filler words that dull their messages and turn readers off. Who knows what opportunities you may have lost due to writing you didn’t even know was flabby. Marcia has perfected a time-saving, pain-free technique that you can use to eliminate filler words (and sentences and paragraphs) from any text. This technique takes the guesswork out of concise writing by showing you exactly what to look for. Once you’ve got this technique down, you’ve got it forever. You’ll know how to: * Increase keyword density. * Cut translation costs. * Bring your writing to a 24-carat, attention-getting luster.

1. Write
Tight
(er)
Marcia Riefer Johnston
@MarciaRJohnston
#STC14
Part 1:
The Technique

2. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

3. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
#STC14

4. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
#STC14
No
headline?

5. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
#STC14
No
headline?
No
bullets?

6. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
#STC14
No
headline?
No
bullets? No
verbiage?

7. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
#STC14
No
headline?
No
bullets? No
verbiage?
How
concise!

8. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
#STC14
No
headline?
No
bullets? No
verbiage?
How
concise!

9. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston

10. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
What does conciseness
mean (and not mean)?

11. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Minimalism
What does conciseness
mean (and not mean)?

12. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”

13. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”
Not short.

14. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”
Not short.
“Cut me a short string.”

15. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”
Not short.
“Cut me a short string.” Huh?

16. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”
Not short.
“Cut me a short string.” Huh?

17. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”
Not short.
“Cut me a short string.”
Make text (like string)
as long as needed.
Huh?

18. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Make text, like string,
as long as needed.
@MarciaRJohnston #STC14

19. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Concise means “minimal.”

20. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Not robospeak.
Concise means “minimal.”

21. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Not robospeak.
Concise means “minimal.”

22. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Not robospeak.
Push button.
Concise means “minimal.”

23. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Not robospeak.
Push button.
Push the button.
Concise means “minimal.”

24. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Not robospeak.
Keep the the.
Push button.
Push the button.
Concise means “minimal.”

25. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Minimal.

26. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Minimal.
Enough to meet your
audiences’ needs

27. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Minimal.
Enough to meet your
audiences’ needs
Enough to accomplish
your purpose

28. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Minimal.
Enough to meet your
audiences’ needs
Enough to accomplish
your purpose
No more

29. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Minimal.
Enough to meet your
audiences’ needs
Enough to accomplish
your purpose
No more No less

30. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Write Tight(er):
ATime-Saving, Pain-Free
Technique for SellingYourself,
Your Company, orYour
Products throughYour Words

31. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Audience needs:
“What’s in it for me?”
Write Tight(er):
ATime-Saving, Pain-Free
Technique for SellingYourself,
Your Company, orYour
Products throughYour Words

32. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Audience needs:
“What’s in it for me?”
My purpose:
Get you here
Write Tight(er):
ATime-Saving, Pain-Free
Technique for SellingYourself,
Your Company, orYour
Products throughYour Words

33. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
No more
Audience needs:
“What’s in it for me?”
My purpose:
Get you here
Write Tight(er):
ATime-Saving, Pain-Free
Technique for SellingYourself,
Your Company, orYour
Products throughYour Words

34. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
No more No less
Audience needs:
“What’s in it for me?”
My purpose:
Get you here
Write Tight(er):
ATime-Saving, Pain-Free
Technique for SellingYourself,
Your Company, orYour
Products throughYour Words

35. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston

36. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston

37. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston

38. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston

39. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

40. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
How much difference can
conciseness make?

41. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
How much difference can
conciseness make?
“Measured usability was
dramatically higher for the
concise version [of the
website]—58% better.”
!
Nielsen Norman Group
www.nngroup.com/articles/
how-users-read-on-the-web

42. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
In what ways does
conciseness help me sell?

43. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Small screens
In what ways does
conciseness help me sell?

44. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Small screens
Translation costs
In what ways does
conciseness help me sell?

45. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Small screens
Translation costs
Readability
In what ways does
conciseness help me sell?

46. #spectrum14 WriteTight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
Small screens
Translation costs
Readability
Think
usability, engagement.
In what ways does
conciseness help me sell?

47. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
How can I write
more concisely?

48. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Dump these words!*

49. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

50. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

51. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

52. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

53. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

54. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

55. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

56. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

57. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

58. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

59. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

60. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

61. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

62. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

63. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
verbiage
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

64. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
verbiage
any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

65. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
verbiage
any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

66. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
verbiage
any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

67. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
verbiage
any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
Time-saving,
pain-free
technique

68. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

69. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

70. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
See be-verbs.

71. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
See be-verbs.

72. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
See be-verbs.

73. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
See be-verbs.

74. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
See be-verbs!
@MarciaRJohnston #STC14

75. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Examples

76. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Bias tape has the advantage of being able
to be applied smoothly around curves as
well as straight.”

77. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Bias tape has the advantage of being able
to be applied smoothly around curves as
well as straight.”

78. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Bias tape has the advantage of being able
to be applied smoothly around curves as
well as straight.”

79. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Bias tape has the advantage of being able
to be applied smoothly around curves as
well as straight.”

80. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

81. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

82. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The fix might not
be self-evident.

83. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The fix might not
be self-evident.

84. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The fix might not
be self-evident.
You have to think.

85. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The fix might not
be self-evident.
You have to think.
(Not too painful.)

86. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

87. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

88. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

89. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

90. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

91. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“A scheme of which every part promises
delight can never be successful.”
—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

92. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“A scheme of which every part promises
delight can never be successful.”
—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

93. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Our IT team wants
to be predictive.

94. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Our IT team wants
to be predictive.

95. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Our IT team wants
to be predictive.
What does
the team
want to do?

96. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

97. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

98. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

99. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
what?

100. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
is

101. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Write when there is
something that you know;
and not before; and not
too damned much after.”
—Ernest Hemingway

102. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Write when there is
something that you know;
and not before; and not
too damned much after.”
—Ernest Hemingway

103. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“There are known knowns.These are things
we know that we know.There are known
unknowns.That is to say, there are things
that we know we don’t know. But there are
also unknown unknowns.There are things
we don’t know we don’t know.”
(attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense)

104. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“There are known knowns.These are things
we know that we know.There are known
unknowns.That is to say, there are things
that we know we don’t know. But there are
also unknown unknowns.There are things
we don’t know we don’t know.”
(attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense)

105. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“There are known knowns.These are things
we know that we know.There are known
unknowns.That is to say, there are things
that we know we don’t know. But there are
also unknown unknowns.There are things
we don’t know we don’t know.”
(attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense)
We don’t know diddly—

106. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“There are known knowns.These are things
we know that we know.There are known
unknowns.That is to say, there are things
that we know we don’t know. But there are
also unknown unknowns.There are things
we don’t know we don’t know.”
(attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense)
We don’t know diddly—
except to avoid be-verbs.

107. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

108. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
See be-verbs.

109. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Be-verbs are everywhere. See?
@MarciaRJohnston #STC14

110. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

111. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)

112. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Jane fully expects a big publisher
to snap up her first novel.

113. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Jane fully expects a big publisher
to snap up her first novel.

114. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
We hope that people will actively participate.

115. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
We hope that people will actively participate.

116. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Please listen carefully to
the following choices so
that we can immediately
direct your call to the
appropriate person.

117. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Please listen carefully to
the following choices so
that we can immediately
direct your call to the
appropriate person.

118. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Please listen carefully to
the following choices so
that we can immediately
direct your call to the
appropriate person.

119. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Mahatma Gandhi truly
changed the world.

120. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Mahatma Gandhi truly
changed the world.

121. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.comHowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

122. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.comHowToWriteEverything.com @MarciaRJohnston
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)

123. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Fred likes his toast very dry.

124. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Fred likes his toast very dry.

125. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Fred likes his toast very dry.
Fred likes his toast so dry.

126. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Fred likes his toast very dry.
Fred likes his toast so dry.

127. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Fred likes his toast very dry.
Fred likes his toast so dry.
Fred likes such dry toast.

128. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Fred likes his toast very dry.
Fred likes his toast so dry.
Fred likes such dry toast.

129. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Exception:
the doge meme

130. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Exception:
the doge meme

131. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Exception:
the doge meme

132. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/11/15/
doge_pronunciation_how_do_you_pronounce_the_name
_of_the_shibe_doge_meme.html

133. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/11/15/
doge_pronunciation_how_do_you_pronounce_the_name
_of_the_shibe_doge_meme.html

134. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

135. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
not, no (& other negative words)

136. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Do not use negative phrasing.

137. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Do not use negative phrasing.

138. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
If you want viewers to focus on something,
do not show faces looking away from it.
(This image is from an eye-tracking study by James Breeze
as cited in Garr Reynolds’s book Presentation Zen.)

139. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
If you want viewers to focus on something,
do not show faces looking away from it.
(This image is from an eye-tracking study by James Breeze
as cited in Garr Reynolds’s book Presentation Zen.)

140. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The Oregon Ducks have not lost a “Civil War”
game to their archrivals, the Beavers, in seven years.

141. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The Oregon Ducks have not lost a “Civil War”
game to their archrivals, the Beavers, in seven years.

142. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The Oregon Ducks have not lost a “Civil War”
game to their archrivals, the Beavers, in seven years.

143. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The Oregon Ducks have not lost a “Civil War”
game to their archrivals, the Beavers, in seven years.

144. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

145. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
the fact that

146. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Given the fact that Joan understood
topic-based writing, everyone went to
her with questions.
Concept Task Reference

147. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Given the fact that Joan understood
topic-based writing, everyone went to
her with questions.
Concept Task Reference

148. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

149. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
just

150. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
It's just that I just say just a lot. I just have
the habit, so it’s just hard to stop saying it.

151. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
It's just that I just say just a lot. I just have
the habit, so it’s just hard to stop saying it.

152. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

153. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to

154. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Michael Noer handed the six-year-old the
tablet.With no instruction, and never having
seen a computer, the boy began to swipe the
screen, launch apps, and play a pinball game.

155. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Michael Noer handed the six-year-old the
tablet.With no instruction, and never having
seen a computer, the boy began to swipe the
screen, launch apps, and play a pinball game.

156. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Try to
focus on
breathing.

157. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Try to
focus on
breathing.

158. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Stop trying to hit me, and hit me.”
—Morpheus to Neo

159. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Stop trying to hit me, and hit me.”
—Morpheus to Neo

160. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Do or do not.
There is no try.”
—Yoda

161. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“Do or do not.
There is no try.”
—Yoda

162. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“When our tools don’t work, we tend to
blame ourselves for being too stupid or not
reading the manual or having too fat fingers.”
—Lev Grossman, Time

163. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“When our tools don’t work, we tend to
blame ourselves for being too stupid or not
reading the manual or having too fat fingers.”
—Lev Grossman, Time

164. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In order to divert 34,000
tons of food scraps from
landfills, Portland created a
curbside-pickup program
for compostable waste.

165. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In order to divert 34,000
tons of food scraps from
landfills, Portland created a
curbside-pickup program
for compostable waste.

166. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

167. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
period of time

168. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Jones and
Caruthers have
worked here
for a long
period of time.
Sketch by Brian Poulsen. Used with permission.

169. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Jones and
Caruthers have
worked here
for a long
period of time.
Sketch by Brian Poulsen. Used with permission.

170. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

171. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)

172. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In light of my lack of cash,
we stopped at an ATM.

173. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In light of my lack of cash,
we stopped at an ATM.

174. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In light of my lack of cash,
we stopped at an ATM.
In spite of his poor health, Samuel
attended his niece’s graduation.

175. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In light of my lack of cash,
we stopped at an ATM.
In spite of his poor health, Samuel
attended his niece’s graduation.

176. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In light of my lack of cash,
we stopped at an ATM.
In spite of his poor health, Samuel
attended his niece’s graduation.
I prefer thatTV in terms of cost.

177. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
In light of my lack of cash,
we stopped at an ATM.
In spite of his poor health, Samuel
attended his niece’s graduation.
I prefer thatTV in terms of cost.

178. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“The word of is, in anything other
than small doses, among the surest
indications of flabby writing.”
—Bryan Garner
Garner’s Modern American Usage

179. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
“The word of is, in anything other
than small doses, among the surest
indications of flabby writing.”
—Bryan Garner
Garner’s Modern American Usage

180. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

181. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
proverbial

182. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The proverbial
needle in the
haystack

183. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The proverbial
needle in the
haystack

184. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
The proverbial
needle in the
haystack

185. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

186. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
different (as in many different, 36 different)

187. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Our company understands the pros and
cons of all these different technologies.

188. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Our company understands the pros and
cons of all these different technologies.

189. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Steve Jobs’s
name appears
on 212 different
Apple patents.

190. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Steve Jobs’s
name appears
on 212 different
Apple patents.

191. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

192. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
particular

193. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt,
has a particular belief that
Android’s open platform
leads to more options and
more consumer choice.

194. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt,
has a particular belief that
Android’s open platform
leads to more options and
more consumer choice.

195. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
While Lady Gaga’s
particular sense of
style puzzles many,
millions of fans say
that her affirming
theme of bravery
and kindness has
changed their lives.

196. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
While Lady Gaga’s
particular sense of
style puzzles many,
millions of fans say
that her affirming
theme of bravery
and kindness has
changed their lives.

197. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them

198. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are)
-ly words (& other vapid adverbs)
very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers)
not, no (& other negative words)
the fact that
just
begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
period of time
in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
proverbial
different (as in many different, 36 different)
particular
Dump these words!*
*unless you need them
verbiage

199. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
We’ll throw some
verbiage in there.

200. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
We’ll throw some
verbiage in there.

201. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

202. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

203. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Want a tip for making
this technique even
more time-saving and
pain-free?

204. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

205. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

206. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
Try this.

207. #STC14 @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com
YOUR
WORDS
HERE