ACT English: Rhetorical Skills - Style, Concision, Eliminating Wordiness and Redundancy

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Concision is a crucial aspect of Rhetorical Skills on the ACT. It appears in the English section, where you'll encounter passages and sentences with underlined portions. Concision is about eliminating wordiness and redundancy to convey a clear message. It's a common topic on the ACT, with moderate difficulty.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Concise writing is clear, direct, and to the point.
• Wordiness occurs when a sentence or passage uses too many words to convey a simple idea.
• Redundancy happens when words or phrases are repeated unnecessarily.
• Parallel structure is a grammar rule that helps you write concisely by using the same grammatical structure for similar ideas.
• Euphemisms are polite or indirect expressions that can make writing wordy.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the underlined portion carefully. Identify the words or phrases that could be eliminated to make the sentence or passage more concise.
2. Look for wordy or redundant language. Ask yourself if the words or phrases are necessary to convey the intended meaning.
3. Check for parallel structure. Ensure that similar ideas are expressed using the same grammatical structure.
4. Eliminate options that add unnecessary words. Choose the answer that conveys the same meaning with fewer words.
5. Verify your answer. Read the entire sentence or passage to confirm that your chosen answer is concise and clear.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

In the English section, you'll encounter sentences or passages with underlined portions. Your task is to identify the most concise and clear expression of the intended meaning. Look for wordy or redundant language, and eliminate options that add unnecessary words.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

1. The mistake: Overlooking wordy language. Why it happens: Rushing or misreading the passage. How to avoid it: Take your time to carefully read the underlined portion and identify wordy language. Exam board insight: The ACT examiners penalize wordy language by making it harder to understand the intended meaning.
2. The mistake: Failing to check parallel structure. Why it happens: Misunderstanding the grammar rule or rushing through the passage. How to avoid it: Make sure to check for parallel structure by using the same grammatical structure for similar ideas.
3. The mistake: Choosing an answer with unnecessary words. Why it happens: Misreading the passage or misunderstanding the question. How to avoid it: Carefully read the entire sentence or passage to confirm that your chosen answer is concise and clear.
4. The mistake: Not eliminating options with redundant language. Why it happens: Misunderstanding the concept of redundancy or rushing through the passage. How to avoid it: Look for redundant language and eliminate options that repeat unnecessary words.
5. The mistake: Not verifying the answer. Why it happens: Rushing through the passage or not double-checking the answer. How to avoid it: Verify your answer by reading the entire sentence or passage to confirm that it's concise and clear.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1: The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. Which of the following sentences conveys the same meaning in a more concise way?

A) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. B) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize its impact on the environment. C) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact. D) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental damage. E) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize its negative effects.

Answer: C) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact. Explanation: This sentence uses parallel structure to convey the same meaning in a more concise way.

Question 2: The company's new product is a high-quality and affordable option. Which of the following sentences conveys the same meaning in a more concise way?

A) The company's new product is a high-quality and affordable option. B) The company's new product is a high-quality option that is affordable. C) The company's new product is a high-quality, affordable option. D) The company's new product is a high-quality option with an affordable price. E) The company's new product is a high-quality, reasonably priced option.

Answer: C) The company's new product is a high-quality, affordable option. Explanation: This sentence uses parallel structure to convey the same meaning in a more concise way.

Question 3: The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental damage. Which of the following sentences conveys the same meaning in a more concise way?

A) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental damage. B) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize its negative effects on the environment. C) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. D) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize the harm it causes to the environment. E) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental degradation.

Answer: C) The new policy aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. Explanation: This sentence uses parallel structure to convey the same meaning in a more concise way.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• Concise writing is clear, direct, and to the point.
• Wordiness occurs when a sentence or passage uses too many words to convey a simple idea. • Redundancy happens when words or phrases are repeated unnecessarily.
• Parallel structure is a grammar rule that helps you write concisely by using the same grammatical structure for similar ideas.
• Euphemisms are polite or indirect expressions that can make writing wordy.
• Check for wordy language and eliminate options that add unnecessary words.
• Verify your answer by reading the entire sentence or passage to confirm that it's concise and clear.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

1. Eliminate options that add unnecessary words. Choose the answer that conveys the same meaning with fewer words.
2. Take your time to carefully read the underlined portion and identify wordy language.
3. Check parallel structure by using the same grammatical structure for similar ideas.
4. Skip and come back if you're stuck. Return to the question later with fresh eyes.

Related ACT Topics

• Parallel structure (grammar rule)
• Euphemisms (vocabulary)
• Word choice (vocabulary)