How to chop your word count like a lumberjack

Use contractions

● Cannot● Will not● You would● It will

Use contractions

● Can’t● Will not● You would● It will

Use contractions

● Can’t● Won’t● You would● It will

Use contractions

● Can’t● Won’t● You’d● It will

Use contractions

● Can’t● Won’t● You’d● It’ll

Eliminate redundant wording

● Currently, we live downtown.● It’s absolutely necessary that we eat.● I ate every single one of those hot peppers.● A year is a long period of time.

Eliminate redundant wording

● We live downtown.● It’s absolutely necessary that we eat.● I ate every single one of those hot peppers.● A year is a long period of time.

Eliminate redundant wording

● We live downtown.● It’s necessary that we eat.● I ate every single one of those hot peppers.● A year is a long period of time.

Eliminate redundant wording

● We live downtown.● It’s necessary that we eat.● I ate every hot pepper.● A year is a long period of time.

Eliminate redundant wording

● We live downtown.● It’s necessary that we eat.● I ate every hot pepper.● A year is a long period.

Remove prepositions

● The shirt of the boy was worn with pride.● We ate a number of oranges.● He handed the cheque to me.● The location of the business is next to the

street with a lot of traffic.

Remove prepositions

● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate a number of oranges.● He handed the cheque to me.● The location of the business is next to the

street with a lot of traffic.

Remove prepositions

● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate several oranges.● He handed the cheque to me.● The location of the business is next to the

street with a lot of traffic.

Remove prepositions

● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate several oranges.● He handed me the cheque.● The location of the business is next to the

street with a lot of traffic.

Remove prepositions

● The boy pridefully wore his shirt.● We ate several oranges.● He handed me the cheque.● The business is next to the busy street.

Replace phrase with single word

● Find out● Come up with● Put up with● Look in on

Replace phrase with single word

● Discover● Come up with● Put up with● Look in on

Replace phrase with single word

● Discover● Provide● Put up with● Look in on

Replace phrase with single word

● Discover● Provide● Endure● Look in on

Replace phrase with single word

● Discover● Provide● Endure● Visit

Switch passive voice for active

● The research will be finalized and presented. ● The apple was eaten by the girl.● Winter was hated by everyone known by me.● The lawn used to be mowed by my

neighbour.

Switch passive voice for active

● I will finalize and present the research.● The apple was eaten by the girl.● Winter was hated by everyone known by me.● The lawn used to be mowed by my

neighbour.

Switch passive voice for active

● I will finalize and present the research.● The girl ate the apple.● Winter was hated by everyone known by me.● The lawn used to be mowed by my

neighbour.

Switch passive voice for active

● I will finalize and present the research.● The girl ate the apple.● Everyone I know hated winter.● The lawn used to be mowed by my

neighbour.

Switch passive voice for active

● I will finalize and present the research.● The girl ate the apple.● Everyone I know hated winter.● My neighbour used to mow my lawn.

Avoid using “very” or “really”

● Very hungry● Really tall● Very tired● Really happy

Avoid using “very” or “really”

● Famished● Really tall● Very tired● Really happy

Avoid using “very” or “really”

● Famished● Towering● Very tired● Really happy

Avoid using “very” or “really”

● Famished● Towering● Exhausted● Really happy

Avoid using “very” or “really”

● Famished● Towering● Exhausted● Elated