Writing @ Conestoga

While repeating key content words throughout your paper can help remind your reader of the paper's focus and emphasize key points, be aware of any excessive repetition of words and phrases that may disrupt the flow and style of your writing. 

Look for Words That are Overused

Example:

Her business sells wire, and the business is successful throughout the entire business year.

More Concise Example:

Her business sells wire, and it is successful throughout the entire year.

Tips:

• Replace nouns with pronouns, but make sure it is clear what noun the pronouns are standing in for
• Remove some repeated words completely (as long as it doesn't change the sentence's meaning)
• Utilize synonyms

Look for Sentences Communicating the Same Idea

Example:

Her business has become very successful over the past decade. Over the past ten years, her profits have risen.

Concise Version:

Over the past ten years, her business's profits have risen.

Tips: 

• Watch for places where you say the exact same thing using different words
• Keep the sentence where you explain the idea in the most specific, simple way. Many peoples' writing tends to follow our thought process where we start with a vague idea, and then clarify it as we work through the concept. 
• Consider bborrowing multiple sentences together into one