As an author, it is quite difficult to write concisely. After all, you have so much to say! But when submitting your manuscript to a journal, you must ensure that you meet the required word count. Let us look at some areas you can focus on to keep your manuscript concise.

1. 10
ways to reduce the word
count of your research
paper

2. Word reduction can be difficult!
As an author, it is quite difficult to write concisely.
After all, you have so much to say! But when
submitting your manuscript to a journal, you must
ensure that you meet the required word count.
After writing your first draft!
Review your paper to identify content that could be made more
concise or shortened.
At what stage should you reduce the word count of your paper?
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3. Let us look at some areas
you can focus on to keep
your manuscript concise
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4. Sentences beginning with
there is a previous study on, it
has been reported that, etc.,
have supporting citations.
Original
17 words
Omit these phrases and keep
only the citations.
It has been reported that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases
with age (Rogue et al., 2004).
1. Unwanted introductory phrases
It has been reported that tThe incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases
with age (Rogue et al., 2004).
EXAMPLE
Revised
12 words
Note: For all examples in this tutorial, deleted text has been struck out
and new text has been underlined.
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5. Sentences that include
product names are usually
longer.
Original
17 words
Shorten such sentences by
placing the product name
within parentheses.
The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer (Zhejiang
Scientific, Zhejiang, China) to determine the xyz values.
2. Sentences with product names
The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer to determine
the xyz values (ABC spectrometer; Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China).
EXAMPLE
Revised
15 words
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6. Nominalization - using noun
forms instead of verb forms -
increases wordiness.
Original
12 words
Use verb forms as far as
possible.
A diagnosis of cancer was made on the basis of the findings.
3. Nominalizations
A diagnosis of cCancer was diagnosedmade on the basis of the findings.
EXAMPLE
Revised
9 words
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7. In the results section, avoid
stating individual values for
groups, followed by the values
for statistical significance.
Original
25 words
Instead, place the values
within parentheses.
The protein level was 5 mg in Group A, while it was 3 mg in Group B, the
difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05).
4. Values in the results section
The difference in the protein level was 5 mg in between Ggroups A and B,
while it was 3 mg in Group b, the difference being
statistically was significant (5 mg vs. 3 mg, p < 0.05).
EXAMPLE
Revised
21 words
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8. Often, sentences in the
introduction or discussion sections
contain obvious information that
the audience already knows
about.
It is important to set
context, but avoid stating
the obvious!
5. Sentences with basic information
If your paper is on AIDS, avoid statements such as “AIDS is a life-
threatening disease.” It is clear that your audience would know about
AIDS and its impact on health.
Get to the point, instead, and talk about your research on AIDS.
EXAMPLE
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9. Some of the most
commonly used phrases in
academic writing are
wordy!
Simplify long phrases. Check
a thesaurus or dictionary for
shorter ways to convey your
meaning.
a number of
as a result
on the other hand
as a consequence of
6. Wordy phrases
EXAMPLES
several
therefore
whereas
owing to
Wordy phrases Alternative words
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10. If you are describing a
series of procedures,
don’t repeat the verbs.
Original
16 words
Use elliptical sentences - shorter
sentences where some words have
been omitted but they retain the
same meaning.
Group A was given cyclosporine, Group B was given FK506, and Group C
was given chlorambucil.
7. Repeated verbs
Group A was given cyclosporine; Group B, was given FK506; and Group
C, was given chlorambucil.
EXAMPLE
Revised
12 words
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11. Often, hyphenated
words are counted as
one word.
Original
9 words
Hyphenate terms wherever possible.
Always check whether the hyphenated
terms have been used in previously
published papers.
After rehabilitation, the patients came to rely on themselves.
8. Hyphenation
After rehabilitation, the patients became self-reliantcame to rely on
themselves.
EXAMPLE
Revised
6 words
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12. In some cases, using the
passive voice makes it
necessary to use more
words.
Original
8 words
Use the active voice wherever
possible. Note that this may
be possible only with some
types of constructions.
Written informed consent was given by all patients.
9. Use of voice
All patients gave Wwritten informed consent was given by all patients.
EXAMPLE
Revised
6 words
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13. Possessive constructions using
“of” make it necessary to
frame descriptive phrases.
Original
18 words
Avoid lengthy possessive
constructions formed using
“of.”
Patients of Group 1 were followed up for 6 months, and those of Group 2,
for 12 months.
10. Possessive constructions
Patients of Group 1 patients were followed up for 6 months, whileand those
of Group 2 patientswere followed up, for 12 months.
EXAMPLE
Revised
15 words
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14. Quick recap
Here’re 10 ways to reduce the word count of your paper:
Get rid of unwanted introductory
phrases.
Include product names within
parentheses.
Use elliptical constructions to avoid
repeating verbs.
Avoid nominalizations.
Avoid possessive constructions.
Avoid wordy phrases.
Use the active voice wherever
possible.
Hyphenate whenever possible.
Omit sentences with basic
information.
Place values within parentheses.
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Source: 10 Tips to reduce the length of your research paper, by Clarinda Cerejo:
http://www.editage.com/insights/10-tips-to-reduce-the-length-of-your-research-paper
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15. Things to remember!
1. Keep the context in mind when applying these techniques.
Do not apply them blindly.
2. Do not cut out chunks of your paper to reduce its length.
Your research content is important.
3. Read your paper again and again to check if there is scope
for improvement.
4. Pay attention to your introduction and conclusion. You are
more likely to get descriptive and add redundant text in
these sections.
5. Practice, practice, and practice! Simplify your writing style
to make it more concise.
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