How To Use The Paramedic Method For More Concise Writing
The Paramedic Method is an easy to use technique for clearer and more concise writing, created by UCLA professor Richard Lanham. It’s one of the simplest, but most effective, techniques we’ve seen that you can pair with your favorite student software for writing correction to net you favorable results.
Here’s how you do it. Once you’ve done your first draft and are in the process of revising it:
- Circle all prepositions. Too many prepositions can leave sentences cumbersome to read. Most of the time, they sound awkward and rambling.
- Circle all “to be” verbs. Using these passive forms of verbs makes sentences dull and weak. In their place, use action verbs that bring the movement to your sentences early.
- Who does what to whom? If you chance upon sentences that are long and cumbersome to read, ask this question. Once you identify who’s doing what action to which object, you can easily rewrite the sentence to more straightforwardly convey that.
- Use simple active verbs. When rewriting sentences, avoid complicated constructions. Instead, rely on simple active verbs – they’re all you need most of the time.
- Start sentences fast. This means to put the action words in your sentences as early as possible. Too many words before the first active verb is the easiest way to consistently boring your readers.