Definition:
A characteristic of a speech or prose composition in which a great deal is conveyed in just a few words. Concise writing is generally free of repetition and needless details. Contrast with circumlocution. See also:
- Top Ten Editing Tips for Business Writers
- Practice in Cutting the Clutter
- Common Redundancies
- In Praise of Short Words
Etymology:
From the Latin, "to cut up"Observations:
- "'Brevity' is often used indifferently with 'conciseness'; but when any difference is implied, then properly speaking, 'brevity' refers to the matter, 'conciseness' to the style. In fact, when brevity of style is spoken of, it may be considered synonymous with 'conciseness.' Strictly speaking, however, 'brevity' merely implies the use of few words, while 'conciseness' implies a great deal of matter concentrated in a small space."
(Elizabeth Jane Whately, A Selection of English Synonyms, 1852) - "Vigorous writing is concise. . . . This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell."
(William Strunk, Jr., and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, Macmillan, 1979) - "If your goal is to achieve precision and concision, begin by pruning the big limbs. You can shake out the dead leaves later.
- Cut any passage that does not support your focus.
- Cut the weakest quotations, anecdotes, and scenes to give greater power to the strongest.
- Cut any passage you have written to satisfy a tough teacher or editor rather than the common reader.
- Don't invite others to cut. You know the work better. Mark optional trims. Then decide whether they should become actual cuts.
(Roy Peter Clark, Writing Tools, Little, Brown, 2006)
Also Known As: concision, directness
