"Paramedic Method"

A professor of English at UCLA named Richard Lanham created a method for making your writing more concise. This method is called Lanham's "Paramedic Method" and can be applied to your writing using these tips:



1. Don't use too many prepositions. 
Too many prepositions can drain all the action out of a sentence. Get rid of the prepositions, and find a strong active verb to make the sentence direct:

Original: In this passage is an example of the use of the rule of justice in argumentation.
Revised: This passage exemplifies argumentation using the rule of justice.

2. Don't start off the sentence using "is".  
Using "is" in a sentence gets it off to a slow start, and makes the sentence weak. Replace as many "to be" verbs with action verbs as you can, and change all passive voice ("is defended by") to an active voice ("defends").

Original: The point I wish to make is that fish sleep with their eyes open.
Revised: Fish sleep with their eyes open.

4. Start the sentence fast. 
Stick to the action and avoid opening sentences with phrases like these:

• My opinion is that....
• The point I wish to make is that ...
• The fact of the matter is that...

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