Word to the writer: "Shine"

Redundant Quotes:

"And there's the Victoria Memorial, built as a memorial to Victoria."
David Dimbleby

"With half the race gone, there is half the race still to go."
Murray Walker

"Trapped, like a trap in a trap."
Dorothy Parker






Whether I help with class papers or fellow writers works, I always look for redundant words as a second step.


 Redundancy- (www.dictionary.com)  - repetition of the same word
 - a repetition of the same, thing, part, amount, or even action, or phrases.


 Writers often talk about the use of the same word over and over again, but a story or essay can also have the same repetitive action or phrase.


 Here are my own rules I follow in every paper or story I write.


 1) How many times have I used the same word in one sentence?


 2) How many times have I used the same word or phrase or action in one paragraph?


 3) How many times have I used the same words, phrases, or actions in the entire piece?


 answers:


 1) if more than once, take it out or replace with a different word.

2) take it out or replace with a different word.


 3) Just a rough check usually works here, but it depends on the action, word, or phrase. If I have started every paragraph or most of them with the same word- then it needs changed. use your own judgment.


 I do the same with actions and phrases. If I write "She kicked the ball." in one paragraph- then I do not want to reuse that same action unless it means something to the story.

 advice for redundant words, phrases, or actions:

 Use a thesaurus to find different words with close to the same meanings like   www.thesaurus.com

If you would like even further information on this topic look here http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm


Ultimately, You are the writer, you are the one who has to choose what to take out, what to repeat, and what should be done about the words you have put on the page.

Next Thursdays word to the writer is "Listen"