What is “wordiness”?

Wordiness is the use of more words than necessary to convey meaning. It can be attributed to using long phrases and words with multiple syllables when short ones will do. It is more prevalent in student papers that have length requirements, because they may pad their writing to meet word counts or impress teachers.

Elements of wordiness

There are several elements that can contribute to wordiness:

• Unclear pronouns: It is unclear what object or person the pronoun belongs to.
• Misused words: The word doesn't mean the intended meaning.
• Jargon: Using technical terms that confuse the reader when unnecessary.
• Loaded language: Using a word without spelling out its meaning for readers.
• Clichés: Overused phrases that can be replaced by single words or unique wording.
• Weak words: The written equivalent of 'um,' words that are not necessary to the sentence.

Redundancy

Redundancy refers to making the same point or using the same words repeatedly with no purpose.. A statement that is used two or more times is redundant. Words that are used right next to each other with the same meaning are redundant. Diana Hacker notes, “a sentence is wordy if its meaning can be conveyed in fewer words” (124). She gives examples of redundant phrases such as “ close proximity” and “true fact” (125). These words have similar meanings and can be reduced to one word. Diana also emphasizes the point to “look for any opportunities to reduce clauses and phrases to single words” (127). Her example is:

• Wordy: "Susan's stylish pants, made of leather, were too warm for Miami.
• Concise: Susan's stylish leather pants were too warm for Miami" (Hacker 127).

Pamela Arlov states that "wordiness sometimes happens when writers do not take the time to be concise" (428). She also gives an example of this:

• Wordy: "The fact is that, fact, like opinions, can usually be stated without preamble
• Concise: Fact, like opinions, can usually be stated without preamble" (Arlov 428).

Work Cited

Arlov, Pamela. Wordsmith: A Guide to College Writing. 2nd ed.

    Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2004

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston:

    Bedford/St.Martin's, 2003

"Word Choice/Wordiness" Handouts and Links. 2002. 02 Mar 2005

    <http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/word_choice.html/>