Remove redundant words or phrases
Key notes:
Understanding Redundancy
- Definition: Redundant words or phrases are unnecessary repetitions that do not add value to a sentence.
- Example: Saying “free gift” is redundant because gifts are inherently free.
Why Avoid Redundancy?
- Clarity: Removing redundant words helps make writing clearer and more concise.
- Brevity: It makes sentences shorter and more impactful, allowing readers to grasp the message quickly.
- Professionalism: Clear writing reflects well on the writer, making them appear more knowledgeable and articulate.
Common Examples of Redundant Phrases
- “ATM machine”: ATM already means Automated Teller Machine.
- “PIN number”: PIN stands for Personal Identification Number.
- “Repeat again”: To repeat already implies doing something again.
- “End result”: The result is inherently the end of a process.
Strategies to Identify Redundancy
- Read Aloud: Hearing your writing can help you catch unnecessary repetitions.
- Look for Pairs: Words like “each and every,” “final outcome,” and “true fact” can often be simplified.
- Ask Yourself: Does the phrase add new information? If not, consider removing it.
Practice Activities
- Identify Redundancies: Provide sentences and have students highlight redundant phrases.
- Rewrite Exercises: Ask students to rewrite sentences by removing redundancies while maintaining meaning.
- Peer Review: In pairs, students can review each other’s writing to spot and correct redundant phrases.
let’s practice!
