CONCISENESS

The Six Cs of Effective

Communication

Conciseness
saying what needs to be said in as few words as
possible

Eliminate unnecessary words.

Select action verbs and efficient words.
Use necessary modifiers.
Write in the active voice.

Eliminate Unnecessary Words

Examples:
Wordy
You will quickly come to the conclusion that unless
you communicate in a consistent manner, you will
jeopardize your relationships with your co-workers.
(23 words)

Concise
Communication consistency builds trust with coworkers. (6 words)

Eliminate Unnecessary Words

Examples:
Wordy
When she assumed the presidency of the company,
Mrs. Thomas made a decision to become familiar with
the names of all of the companys employees. (25
words)

Concise
When Mrs. Thomas became company president, she
learned all the employees names. (12 words)

Select Action Verbs and Efficient Words

Examples:
Wordy Phrases
Please make an agreement to purchase the Marco system.
Dr. Parker made a contribution of $500 to St. Judes Hospital
for Children.

Action Verbs
Please agree to purchase the Marco system.

Dr. Parker contributed $500 to St. Jude Hospital for Children.

Select Action Verbs and Efficient Words

Examples:
Wordy Phrases
Every one of the students entered the contest.
Please move the box off of the desk.

Concise Words
Every student entered the contest.

Please move the box off the desk.

Concise Expressions
Avoid

Use

acknowledge receipt of

thank you for

as a matter of fact

in fact; indeed

at that point in time

then

at this time; at this point in time

now

because of the fact that

because

during the month of May

during May

each and every

each

enclosed herewith

enclosed

for the amount of P320

for P320

I would appreciate it if

please

in accordance with your suggestion

as you suggested

in spite of the fact that

although

please do not hesitate to contact us

please contact us

until such time as

until

Use Necessary Modifiers

avoid doublet phrases (phrases that say the
same thing twice)

Examples:
Unnecessary Modifiers
Follow the road west in direction until you see our
facility on the right.

Revision
Follow the road west until you see our facility on the
right.

Use Necessary Modifiers

Unnecessary Modifiers
The team leader suggested a very unique solution.

Revision
The team leader suggested a unique solution.

Necessary Modifiers
Avoid

Use

actual truth

truth

basic fundamentals

fundamentals

consensus of opinion

consensus

each and every

each or every

entirely complete

complete

exactly identical

exactly

first and foremost

first or foremost

honest truth

truth

important essentials

essentials

long in length

long

maximum possible

maximum

merge together

merge

orange in color

orange

Necessary Modifiers
Avoid

Use

repeat again

repeat

return back to

return

round in shape

round

rules and regulations

rules or regulations

small in size

small

three in number

three

Write in the Active Voice

Passive Voice
- the subject receives the action
The old car was painted by the technicians.
The overgrown trees were trimmed by the power company.

Active Voice
- the subject performs the action
The technicians painted the old car.
The power company trimmed the overgrown trees.

Write in Active Voice

Active Voice
- direct; has accusatory tone
Dora placed the books in the incorrect positions.
Alex cut the pattern too small.

Passive Voice
- sounds more diplomatic and tactful
The books were placed in the incorrect positions by Dora.
The pattern was cut too small by Alex.