Bloggercises: Redundancies
September 15th 2008 06:05
George Orwell's third rule of effective writing states: "If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out." I offer this exercise to promote understanding of the rule.
It is not meant as a test so much as a reinforcement of the principle through repetition. The exercise presents 21 sentences in three sections. Section one is easiest and section three the hardest, but that is subjective and may vary between people. All should be reasonably apparent with a few moments' thinking, but do it at your own pace. There is no time limit.
In sections one and two, simply find the word or words which can be deleted without changing the meaning of the sentence. In section three, some sentences may need slightly more than straight deletions.
Most will be obvious, but as stated earlier, the aim is a demonstration of the principle through repetition, rather than a test of ability. My hope is that anyone who works their way through all 21 will automatically in future find themselves looking with greater vigilance for redundancies in their writing.
Answers will be provided in a second post following this one. Feedback comments (including boasts that you strolled through all 21) would be warmly welcomed. And finally, if you see any redundancies in the newspaper, on a billboard or on your breakfast cereal packet, please send them to me in a private Orble message for inclusion (with acknowledgement of your help) in further redundancy lists.
Section 1
Once again, we are holding another festival.
I have told him many, many, many times.
It's the exact same meaning.
I know this from past experience.
The black ones should be smaller in size than the white ones.
We offer a simple but yet effective solution.
Both she and I share the same characteristic.
Section 2
In this project, advance planning is crucial.
The blessing of the board of directors is an added bonus.
If you're a magician, can you make it disappear from sight?
He was arrested after being positively identified by a witness.
It is our pleasure to offer you this free gift.
Good heavens! Your watch is an exact replica of mine.
Its usefulness in terms of actual functionality is yet to be shown.
Section 3
Please wait: we are in the process of connecting you to the Internet.
If you need money, go to an ATM machine.
Shape the mixture into spheres about the size of a small ping pong ball.
Manuscripts can be submitted in languages other than English.
I expect you to eliminate such mistakes altogether.
Combine the ingredients and place in an oven pre-heated to 240 degrees.
My hope is that anyone who works their way through all 21 will automatically in future find themselves looking with greater vigilance for redundancies in their writing.
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