Avoiding Wordiness

1. Why Avoiding Wordiness Matters

A writer who uses too many words slows the reader down, dilutes impact, and weakens clarity.

A writer who avoids wordiness sounds sharp, confident, and professional.

Avoiding wordiness improves:

• Clarity
• Readability
• Mobile performance
• SEO
• Engagement
• Authority
• Flow
• Professional polish

Every Total Apex contributor must avoid wordiness because modern readers — especially mobile readers — demand speed, clarity, and efficiency.

2. Concision Skills

A. What Wordiness Is

Wordiness answers the question:

Am I using more words than necessary to express a clear idea?

Wordiness includes:

• Redundant phrases
• Filler words
• Weak, padded sentences
• Long, indirect constructions
• Repetitive ideas

Wordiness hides meaning. Concision reveals it.

B. The Core Principles of Concise Writing

1. Say it once

Don’t repeat the same idea in different words.

2. Use strong verbs

Replace weak verb phrases with direct action.

3. Cut filler

Remove words that add no meaning.

4. Prefer simple over complex

Choose clarity over formality.

5. Trim prepositional clutter

Too many “of,” “in,” “on,” “for,” “with” phrases slow the reader.

6. Avoid unnecessary qualifiers

Words like “very,” “really,” “basically,” “kind of” weaken sentences.

Concision is clarity.

C. Common Wordy Phrases (and Clean Alternatives)

Wordy → Concise

• due to the fact that → because
• in order to → to
• at this point in time → now
• has the ability to → can
• in the event that → if
• for the purpose of → to
• a large number of → many
• in spite of the fact that → although
• there are / there is → remove and start with the subject

These cuts instantly tighten writing.

D. Wordy Sentence Patterns to Avoid

1. “There is/are” openers

Wordy:

There are many fans who reacted to the update.  

Concise:

Many fans reacted to the update.

2. Weak verb + noun

Wordy:

The team made a decision to trade him.  

Concise:

The team decided to trade him.

3. Redundant modifiers

Wordy:

The final result was completely unexpected.  

Concise:

The result was unexpected.

4. Long prepositional chains

Wordy:

The reaction of the fans to the update from the studio was intense.  

Concise:

Fans reacted intensely to the studio’s update.

5. Over‑explaining

Wordy:

The reason why the team lost is because they struggled defensively.  

Concise:

The team lost because they struggled defensively.

Cutting clutter strengthens meaning.

E. How to Make Sentences More Concise (Step‑by‑Step)

Step 1: Identify the core idea

What is the sentence really saying?

Step 2: Remove filler

Cut unnecessary words.

Step 3: Replace weak verbs

Use direct, active verbs.

Step 4: Combine related ideas

Avoid repeating yourself.

Step 5: Read it aloud

If it sounds long, it is long.

Example

Wordy:

The update, which was released earlier today, caused a large number of issues for many users.  

Concise:

Today’s update caused major issues for users.

Concision = impact.

F. Concision for Different Total Apex Verticals

News

The studio confirmed the delay after months of speculation.  

(not: The studio made an announcement confirming…)

Sports

The rookie changed the game with one shot.  

(not: The rookie was able to change the game by making…)

Gaming

The update broke thousands of devices.  

(not: The update was responsible for causing…)

Entertainment

The finale shocked fans.  

(not: The finale had the effect of shocking fans…)

Lifestyle

This simple habit saves hours each week.  

(not: This habit has the ability to save…)

Concision strengthens every vertical.

G. Concision for Mobile Readers

Mobile readers:

• Skim
• Scroll fast
• Hate long sentences
• Bounce if overwhelmed

Concise writing improves:

• Readability
• Engagement
• Time on page
• Scroll depth

Mobile Concision Rules

• Keep sentences short
• Cut filler words
• Use strong verbs
• Break long paragraphs
• Lead with the most important detail

Mobile writing demands efficiency.

H. Concision for SEO

Google rewards writing that is:

• Clear
• Direct
• Easy to parse
• Free of clutter

Concise writing improves:

• Featured snippet potential
• Readability scores
• Keyword clarity
• User engagement
• Dwell time

SEO Concision Tips

• Avoid long, padded sentences
• Put keywords in clean, direct sentences
• Use concise H2s and H3s
• Remove redundant phrasing
• Keep intros tight

Concision helps Google understand your content — and rank it.

3. Engagement Skills

A. Hooks Become Stronger When Concise

Wordy:

Last night, in a game that many fans were watching closely, the rookie managed to hit a shot that ultimately won the game.  

Concise:

The rookie hit the game‑winning shot.

Concise hooks hit harder.

B. Emotion Becomes Sharper When Concise

Wordy:

The crowd was extremely loud and overwhelmingly excited after the shot.  

Concise:

The crowd erupted.

Emotion thrives on simplicity.

C. Shareability Increases When Concise

Shareable writing is:

• Punchy
• Memorable
• Easy to screenshot
• Easy to quote

Examples

• This update changes everything.
• The rookie is the future.

Concise lines spread faster.

D. Retention Improves When Concise

Retention improves when writing is:

• Clear
• Fast
• Easy to follow
• Free of clutter

Concise writing improves retention by:

• Reducing cognitive load
• Improving flow
• Keeping readers engaged
• Making information digestible

Concision = longer time on page.

4. Final Takeaway for Total Apex Writers

Concision is power — it makes writing clearer, stronger, and more professional.

Total Apex Concision Essentials

• Cut filler and redundancy
• Use strong, direct verbs
• Avoid long, padded phrases
• Keep sentences tight and purposeful
• Write for mobile clarity
• Use concision to improve hooks, emotion, shareability, and retention

Mastering concision helps contributors produce writing that is sharp, efficient, and high‑performing across every Total Apex vertical — from news to gaming to sports to lifestyle.