Wordiness for Dummies

Wordiness is a term that describes using too many words to convey a message or idea. It is when we make our sentences longer than necessary, often repeating the same information in different ways. You can think of it as adding extra fluff to our writing or speech that doesn't really contribute anything meaningful.

Let me give you an example to help you visualize it. Imagine you are talking to your friend about your favorite movie. You could simply say, "I love this movie because it has a great plot, amazing special effects, and fantastic acting." That's clear and concise. But if you were being wordy, you might say something like, "The reason why I absolutely love this movie is because it has an extraordinary plot that keeps me hooked from start to finish due to its unexpected twists and turns, mind-blowing special effects that transport me into a whole new world, and outstanding acting performances that bring the characters to life and make me feel a wide range of emotions." See how that became a lot longer without really adding any new information?

Wordiness can often make our writing or speech more confusing and harder to follow. It can be frustrating for the reader or listener because they have to work harder to understand what we are trying to say. When we use fewer words, we communicate more effectively and efficiently. It helps us get our message across clearly and helps others understand us better.

So, to summarize, wordiness means using more words than necessary, often repeating the same information in different ways. It can make our writing or speech confusing and harder to understand. By being mindful of wordiness and using fewer words, we can communicate more effectively and efficiently.