10ways to reduce the word

count of your research paper

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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Let us look at some areas you can focus on to keep your manuscript concise

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 whereverpossible.

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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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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