The Writer's Digest Dictionary of Concise Writing

by Robert Hartwell Fiske

Provides a look at wordiness, how to spot it, and how to substitue compact alternatives for wordy phrases

Genres: Writing, Reference, Language, Nonfiction

335 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jus]

“To The Point - A dictionary of concise writing” by Robert Hartwell Fiske. A good reference book, how to reduce the number of words in a phrase. Ideal for writers who “want to build a more pithy vocabulary.”

[Mike]

An effective reference for countering wordy writing. Pleasant reading as well.

Notes:
Polonius: What do you read, my lord?
Hamlet: Words, words, words.

The Perfectibility of Words
--Of Polish and Panache
reducing # of words in a phrase
substituting a single word for a phrase
--Euphemisms ... Instead Of ... Use

The Imperfectibility of People
---business jargon
---political cant
---academic speak

Dictionary of Concise Writing

Guide to obfuscation: a reverse dictionary