how to chop your word count like a lumberjack
DESCRIPTION
I remember my writing teacher in college once had us write a 500-word assignment. I don’t remember the topic, but I remember how difficult it was to limit it to just 500 words. Here are 6 tricks I’ve discovered since then that help me reduce my word count went writing.TRANSCRIPT
How to chop your word count like a lumberjack
Use contractions
● Cannot● Will not● You would● It will
Use contractions
● Can’t● Will not● You would● It will
Use contractions
● Can’t● Won’t● You would● It will
Use contractions
● Can’t● Won’t● You’d● It will
Use contractions
● Can’t● Won’t● You’d● It’ll
Eliminate redundant wording
● Currently, we live downtown.● It’s absolutely necessary that we eat.● I ate every single one of those hot peppers.● A year is a long period of time.
Eliminate redundant wording
● We live downtown.● It’s absolutely necessary that we eat.● I ate every single one of those hot peppers.● A year is a long period of time.
Eliminate redundant wording
● We live downtown.● It’s necessary that we eat.● I ate every single one of those hot peppers.● A year is a long period of time.
Eliminate redundant wording
● We live downtown.● It’s necessary that we eat.● I ate every hot pepper.● A year is a long period of time.
Eliminate redundant wording
● We live downtown.● It’s necessary that we eat.● I ate every hot pepper.● A year is a long period.
Remove prepositions
● The shirt of the boy was worn with pride.● We ate a number of oranges.● He handed the cheque to me.● The location of the business is next to the
street with a lot of traffic.
Remove prepositions
● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate a number of oranges.● He handed the cheque to me.● The location of the business is next to the
street with a lot of traffic.
Remove prepositions
● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate several oranges.● He handed the cheque to me.● The location of the business is next to the
street with a lot of traffic.
Remove prepositions
● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate several oranges.● He handed me the cheque.● The location of the business is next to the
street with a lot of traffic.
Remove prepositions
● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate several oranges.● He handed me the cheque.● The business is next to the busy street.
Replace phrase with single word
● Find out● Come up with● Put up with● Look in on
Replace phrase with single word
● Discover● Come up with● Put up with● Look in on
Replace phrase with single word
● Discover● Provide● Put up with● Look in on
Replace phrase with single word
● Discover● Provide● Endure● Look in on
Replace phrase with single word
● Discover● Provide● Endure● Visit
Switch passive voice for active
● The research will be finalized and presented. ● The apple was eaten by the girl.● Winter was hated by everyone known by me.● The lawn used to be mowed by my
neighbour.
Switch passive voice for active
● I will finalize and present the research.● The apple was eaten by the girl.● Winter was hated by everyone known by me.● The lawn used to be mowed by my
neighbour.
Switch passive voice for active
● I will finalize and present the research.● The girl ate the apple.● Winter was hated by everyone known by me.● The lawn used to be mowed by my
neighbour.
Switch passive voice for active
● I will finalize and present the research.● The girl ate the apple.● Everyone I know hated winter.● The lawn used to be mowed by my
neighbour.
Switch passive voice for active
● I will finalize and present the research.● The girl ate the apple.● Everyone I know hated winter.● My neighbour used to mow my lawn.
Avoid using “very” or “really”
● Very hungry● Really tall● Very tired● Really happy
Avoid using “very” or “really”
● Famished● Really tall● Very tired● Really happy
Avoid using “very” or “really”
● Famished● Towering● Very tired● Really happy
Avoid using “very” or “really”
● Famished● Towering● Exhausted● Really happy
Avoid using “very” or “really”
● Famished● Towering● Exhausted● Elated
