10 Strategies to Make an Essay Shorter and More Concise

You've finished your essay and you're feeling good - until you check the word count and realize you're hundreds of words over the limit. Before you start randomly deleting text or entire paragraphs, take a step back. Strategic editing leads to stronger writing.

Most long essays contain repetitive ideas, unnecessary details, and wordy sentences that dilute your main points. By trimming strategically, you'll create a more focused paper that hits harder. When every word serves a purpose, your argument becomes more convincing.

From eliminating redundant phrases to streamlining complex sentences, the following 10 strategies will teach you how to shorten an essay effectively. These proven techniques maintain the strength of your ideas while meeting your required word count.

How to Shorten an Essay Without Weakening Your Argument 

If you’re scratching your head, wondering how to make an essay shorter without losing its core message, you’re not alone. Many college students have wondered the same thing. We’re here to help you on your journey toward impactful writing with 10 helpful tips. 

1. Cut Out Repetitive Ideas

Redundancy sneaks into essays when we reword the same point multiple times, thinking it adds emphasis. Instead, it weakens your writing. Create a clear outline before you start writing to map out where each idea belongs. This helps you spot places where you might be repeating yourself unnecessarily and can dramatically shorten essays.

Look for these common redundancy traps:

• Restating points in different sections
• Using multiple phrases to express one idea
• Over-explaining concepts that are already clear
• Adding unnecessary context to established points

For example, if your second paragraph discusses how recycling reduces landfill waste, don't repeat those same benefits later in the essay. Instead, use those later sections to explore fresh angles, like the economic benefits of recycling programs or successful community initiatives.

By tracking your key points carefully, you'll keep your writing focused and eliminate unnecessary repetition that bloats your word count.

2. Replace Wordy Phrases with Direct Language

Long-winded expressions bog down your writing. Simple, direct phrases communicate your ideas more effectively while cutting unnecessary words. Look for opportunities to replace verbose phrases with concise alternatives that keep your meaning intact.

Common phrases to simplify:

• "At this point in time" → "Now"
• "Due to the fact that" → "Because"
• "In the event that" → "If"
• "Prior to" → "Before"
• "For the purpose of" → "To"

Your writing becomes sharper and clearer when you choose a straightforward language. Each simplified phrase saves valuable words while making your points more compelling.

3. Remove Filler Words and Weak Modifiers

When we think of how to cut down an essay, we often think of deleting large sections. However, small words can add significant bulk to your essay. Words like 'very,' 'really,' and 'basically' rarely strengthen your message. Strong word choices eliminate the need for these empty modifiers.

Watch out for these common fillers:

• that, just, really
• actually, basically
• like, well, very
• somewhat, kind of
• literally, virtually

Transform weak phrases into powerful ones:

• "really big" → "enormous"
• "very tired" → "exhausted"
• "basically important" → "crucial"
• "actually interesting" → "fascinating"

Strong verbs and precise adjectives make your writing more impactful while reducing your word count. When you spot these filler words in your draft, delete them or replace the entire phrase with a stronger alternative.

4. Cut Wordy Transitions

If you want to understand how to shorten essays without removing overarching sections, look at your transition words. Many transition phrases add length without value. Expressions like 'additionally,' 'in order to,' and 'as a matter of fact' pad your word count without improving your flow. Similarly, phrases like 'I think,' 'I believe,' and 'in my opinion' dilute your authority.

Trim these common transitions:

• "In order to" → "To"
• "Due to the fact that" → "Because"
• "For the purpose of" → "For"
• "In the event that" → "If"
• "As a matter of fact" → Delete entirely

Compare these approaches: 

Long: "In order to explain my position on climate change, I believe we should consider how greenhouse gases cause global warming. As a matter of fact, there are numerous scientific studies that support the need for policy reform."

Sharp: "Greenhouse gases cause global warming. Scientific studies support the need for policy reform."

Direct transitions create clearer connections while using fewer words. Your writing gains authority when you remove hesitant or overly formal phrasing.

5. Break Down Long Sentences

Complex sentences often hide simpler ideas. When a sentence runs long, try splitting it into two shorter statements or removing unnecessary descriptions. Clear, direct sentences improve readability and naturally reduce word count.

Look for these opportunities to simplify:

• Remove repeated ideas within the same sentence
• Convert passive voice to active voice
• Delete redundant adjectives
• Break compound sentences into separate thoughts

Here's how to transform wordy sentences: 

Long: "The research conducted by the university was extremely thorough and provided a large amount of detailed information about climate patterns." 

Better: "The university's research provided comprehensive climate data." 

Each streamlined sentence makes your writing clearer while moving your reader forward more efficiently.

6. Remove Unnecessary Examples and Explanations

When deciding how to cut down words in an essay, look at your “extras.” For instance, examples or explanations. One powerful example often proves more effective than several weaker ones. Select your strongest evidence and cut the rest to keep your writing focused and persuasive.

Before trimming examples, ask:

• Does this example directly support my main point?
• Have I already proven this concept?
• Would combining examples be more effective?
• Is this detail essential to understanding?

Compare these approaches: 

Cluttered: "Air pollution can cause respiratory issues in children, contribute to greenhouse gases, harm wildlife, and reduce crop yields. Let's consider each of these problems in detail with separate case studies for every single type of pollution."

Focused: "Air pollution contributes to respiratory issues and raises greenhouse gas levels. These two effects alone urge action."

By selecting your strongest evidence and eliminating redundant examples, you create a more compelling argument with fewer words.

7. Stay On Track with Your Main Points

Every sentence should drive your argument forward. Personal anecdotes and side stories often derail your main message while adding unnecessary length. Examine each paragraph to ensure it supports your central thesis.

Signs you've gone off track:

• Personal stories that don't directly support your point
• Background information that isn't essential
• Detailed explanations of obvious concepts
• Stories that lead to a different topic

Before: "The policy was introduced to lower emissions in urban areas. Last summer, I took a road trip across the country and noticed how bad the traffic is in LA during rush hour. It's crucial to recognize that these emissions primarily come from heavy traffic."

After: "The policy was introduced to lower emissions in urban areas, where most traffic congestion occurs."

8. Switch to Active Voice

When considering how to shorten an essay, pay attention to the voice you’re writing in. Passive voice weighs down your writing with extra words. Active voice creates clearer, more concise sentences while making your writing more engaging.

Spot passive voice in phrases like:

• "was done by"
• "were made by"
• "has been"
• "will be"

Transform these sentences:

• Passive: "The experiment was conducted by researchers."
• Active: "Researchers conducted the experiment."
• Passive: "Mistakes were made during the process."
• Active: "The team made mistakes during the process."
• Active voice strengthens your writing while naturally reducing your word count.

9. Use Phrasly’s AI Writer to Refine and Condense Your Writing

Typing “make my essay shorter” into a basic AI tool often leads to disappointing results. Phrasly's AI Writer takes a different approach - it helps you streamline existing text by identifying wordiness and suggesting clearer alternatives. Our tool catches redundant phrases, simplifies complex sentences, and helps maintain your core message.

Key features:

• Identifies wordy phrases and suggests concise alternatives
• Spots redundant content across paragraphs
• Suggests stronger word choices
• Maintains your unique voice while reducing length

With the right tools, refining your essay becomes faster and easier, helping you meet word limits without compromising clarity.

10. Edit Ruthlessly and Get Outside Feedback

After applying these strategies, step away from your essay. Return later with fresh eyes, or better yet, ask others to review it. Reading your work aloud reveals awkward phrasing and unnecessary content you might miss when reading silently.

Ask reviewers to consider:

• Does each paragraph support the main argument?
• Are any sections repetitive?
• Could any points be made more concisely?
• Is all information relevant and necessary?

The best editors ask tough questions that help you spot unnecessary content and strengthen your core message. Their insights often reveal opportunities to tighten your writing while preserving its impact.

Maximize Your Essay’s Impact with Phrasly

By cutting redundant words, streamlining sentences, and removing filler, you can reduce your essay’s word count without losing focus. These 10 strategies direct readers to focus on your main arguments, making your writing stronger and more engaging. 

However, refining your content takes time. This is where Phrasly’s AI Writer really shines. Our ultimate writing assistant quickly identifies wordy phrases, suggests clearer alternatives, and helps you maintain the core strength of your arguments. Whether you're working on a research paper, a business proposal, or any other important project, Phrasly ensures your writing is polished and precise.

Get started for free and make your writing stronger, clearer, and undetectable today.