How to Shorten an Essay

In the modern era, with the prevalence and overall prefrence for short content (1-minute TikTok videos, 100-word max Instagram posts, etc.) concise writing is more important than ever. Whether for academic assignments, professional documents, or personal projects, being able to shorten an essay without losing its essence is a valuable skill. So, if you were wondering “How can I shorten my essay?”, this guide will help you do exactly that.

The Basic of How to Reduce Word Count

The go-to strategy for making your essay shorter, is paying attention to the unnecessary words and phrases. When writing, oftentimes we tend to add some filler phrases or adjectives/adverbs to empasize our points. These words, however, serve mostly as emotion-evoking tools and don’t really contribute to the narrative. 

Here are a few aspects of your writing that you can identify to make your texts shorter:

• Avoid Redundancy
  Phrases like “end result,” “free gift,” and “true facts” are redundant. Stick to the main word, such as “result,” “gift,” or “facts.”
• Get Rid Of Filler Words
  Words like “very,” “really,” “just,” and “actually” often add little to your sentence. For instance, “very important” can simply be “important.”
• Combine Sentences
  If two sentences convey related ideas, consider merging them. No need to repeat yourself twice.
  For example, the wto sentences “The project was successful. The team put in a lot of effort to complete it,” can be combined into “The project succeeded due to the team’s effort.”

These are just a couple of approaches to making your writing more down to the point. In the paragraphs below, we will concentrate more on what else you can do ro shorten your essays. So if you don;t have any filler words left to delete, you can move on to the next strategies.

How to Shorten Sentences: Bullteproof Strategies

We talked about excluding unnecessary words, so now we can discuss how to edit sentences to make them more brief. Shortening sentences not only reduces word count but also makes your writing clearer and more direct.

First of all, be direct when writing anything. Instead of saying, “It is important to note that,” simply say, “Note that.” Next, note (see, easy) the use of passive voice, as it can be wordy. As such, a sentence like “The experiment was conducted by the students” can be shortened to “The students conducted the experiment.“

And lastly, as it was already mentioned,  adjectives and adverbs can often be cut. So, loaded sentences such as “The book was incredibly interesting” can become “The book was interesting,” with no meaning being lost.

How to Make an Essay Shorter In General

To make your essay shorter overall, start by combining paragraphs that discuss similar points. This approach helps maintain consistency and reduces the overall length. After that is done, focus on deletinf redundant points. Each paragraph should contribute a unique idea to your essay. If you find that you’ve repeated similar arguments in different sections, just put them together. 

In addition, you can try rewriting or restructuring the sentences. However, try to keep everything clear and according to the initial message. For example, change “It is important to remember that regular exercise can help improve your overall health” to “Regular exercise improves health.”

Lastly, consider using automated tools like paraphrasers and content shorteners (sometimes even summarizers can help). These tools can quickly identify lengthy sentences and suggest more brief alternatives. They can be especially useful in spotting and correcting overloaded language, making your writing more down-to-the-point. 

The Main Point

To be frank, to make an essay shorter you just need to carefully proofread your text. By focusing on cutting unnecessary words, and shortening sentences, you can create a succinct and interesting essay. Remember, with practice and the right mindset, concise writing can become second nature.

FAQ

How do I cut 1000 words from an essay?

Cutting 1000 words might sound like a Herculean task, but it’s totally doable! First things first, exclude any unnecessary or repetitive information. Focus on your main points and trim the fluff. Delete extra adverbs and adjectives—your writing will be stronger without them. And don’t forget those pesky prepositional phrases; they can often be completely emoved. If you’re still over the limit, look at combining sentences and getting rid of any transitions that aren’t pulling their weight. You’ll be amazed at how much you can cut without losing the message of your essay.

How do you write an essay in short form?

Writing an essay in short form means you need to get fown to the point, and do that fast. Start with a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument. Keep your paragraphs focused, each one covering a single idea. Use concise language, avoid long-winded explanations, and stick to the essentials. Remember, quality over quantity! 

How to begin a short essay?

You can begin with a hook that grabs attention—maybe a surprising fact, a question, or a bold statement. Follow it up with a brief introduction to your topic and a clear thesis statement. Don’t waste time on lengthy background info; jump straight into your main points. Keep it snappy and engaging, and you’ll set the tone for a compelling read right from the start.