1. Avoid Excess Wordiness
Eliminate unnecessary expressions
Limit long lead-ins
Drop unnecessary fillers
Remove redundant words
Dump trite expressions
Avoid slang and clichés

2. Eliminate Unnecessary Expressions
Instead of this
We are of the opinion that
Please feel free to
In addition to the above
At this point in time
Despite the fact that
Try this
We think
Please
Also
Now
Although
In business writing, unlike academic writing, more is NOT better.

3. Limit Long Lead-ins Instead of this Try this
This memo is to inform you that all employees meet today.
I am writing this letter to say thanks to everyone who voted.
Try this
All employees meet today.
Thanks to everyone who voted.

4. Drop Unnecessary Fillers
Revise sentences to avoid fillers such as there is/was and it is/was when used merely to take up space.
Instead of this
There was only one employee who should be promoted.
It was Lisa and Jeff who were honored.
Try this
Only one employee should be promoted.
Lisa and Jeff were honored.

5. Remove Redundant Words
Avoid unnecessarily repetitious words. What words could be omitted in these expressions?
advance warning
close proximity
exactly identical
filled to capacity
final outcome
necessary requisite
new beginning
past history
refer back
serious danger
advance warning
close proximity
exactly identical
filled to capacity
final outcome
necessary requisite
new beginning
past history
refer back
serious danger

6. Omit Trite Expressions
Trite and Outdated
as per your request
pursuant to your request
attached hereto
under separate cover
Modern
at your request
attached
separately

7. Avoid Slang and Clichés
Avoid informal expressions that have changed meanings.
Good communicators aim for clarity and avoid unintelligible slang. If you want to sound professional, don’t use slang expressions.
Avoid clichés. Substitute more precise words.
Instead of this
We had reached the end of our rope.
Try this
We could go no further.