Redundancy in Writing

Redundancy in Writing

• "Gift" inherently implies "free." Phrases like "free gift," "foreign immigrant," or "9 A.M. in the morning" are redundant.

Causes of Redundancy

• Unintentional: Redundancy is common in everyday language (e.g., "last and final"). It often occurs without conscious awareness.

• Trying to sound official: Using lengthy phrases like "at the present moment in time" instead of "now" can diminish clarity.

• Trying to emphasize: Redundant phrases like "added bonuses" might seem impactful but can be counter-productive.

• Trying to fill a word count: Adding unnecessary words to meet a target length is unproductive.

Avoiding Redundancy

• Seek feedback: Have others review work to identify redundant phrases.

• Keep a list: Compile a list of common redundant phrases for quick identification during revision.

• Prioritize conciseness: Clarity and precision in formal writing are more valuable than adding unnecessary words.

• Enhance emphasis differently: Use strong metaphors, verbs, sentence structure, or paragraph lengths to highlight significant points.

• Eliminate questionable additions: Every word, adjective, and description should add new information. If doubtful, remove it.

• Prioritize content over fluff: Focus on impactful information rather than increasing word count. Get feedback and answer any arising questions to address content gaps effectively.