好的寫作，首先而且至關重要的一點就是簡潔。繁冗的寫作堆砌了許多無用的詞藻，反而減弱表述的清晰度。當然，也不能僅僅因為簡短就認為短句一定優(yōu)于長句。只要一個單詞確實能起到一定的作用，它就應該留在句中。一般來說，只有在進行強調(diào)或修飾、美化句子時，才能使用重復的單詞、語音和短語。修改文章，就是要刪繁就簡。

　　例一

　　【原】It makes me feel painful to think that she has to work 12 hours a day and seven days a

　　week.

　　【改】It pains me to think that she has to work 12 hours a day and seven days a week.

　　例二

　　【原】It will be our aim to ensure proper health care for each and everyone of the Chinese people

　　【改】Our aim is to ensure proper health care for all Chinese.

　　例三

　　【原】This book will help you master the basic elements of good writing

　　【改】This book will help you master the basics of good writing

　　例四

　　【原】The search of the forest that they conducted was entirely complete

　　【改】The search of the forest was complete

　　例五

　　【原】Whenever anyone telephoned her to ask her for help with their homework she always obliged right away.

　　【改】She immediately obliged anyone who telephoned for help with homework