Concise writing is critical to writing an effective proposal. Comprehension of short sentences (8 words or less) is very high, but comprehension drops dramatically as sentence length increases. Also, most tenders put a word or page limit on your proposal, so embracing brevity without compromising quality is key to persuasive writing. Follow these simple editing tips to improve your proposals:

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Be Consistent

Be sure to match nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, and clauses with clauses, and avoid mixing active-voice verbs with passive-voice verbs. For example, the following sentence

The policy affected all vendors, suppliers, and those involved with consulting.

should be said as

The policy affected all vendors, suppliers, and consultants.

 

Eliminate Flabby Expressions

Look for flabby expressions that can be condensed:

Wordy                                               Concise

As a general rule                             Generally

At a later date                                  Later

At this point in time                        Now; presently

Despite the fact that                       Although

In addition to the above                Also

In all probability                              Probably

In the event that                              If

In the near future                            Soon

 

Avoid Wordiness

Wordy: There are more women than men enrolled in college today.

Concise: More women than men are enrolled in college today.

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Delete Unnecessary Introductory Words

Wordy: We are sending this announcement to let everyone know that we expect to change Internet service providers within six weeks.

Concise: We expect to change Internet service providers within six weeks.

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Reject Redundancies and Say It Once

Wordy                                     Concise

Adequately essential           Essential

Combined together             Combined

Each and every                     Each

New beginning                     Beginning

 

Unclutter Your Sentences By Purging Extra Words.

Wordy: In the case of Facebook it increased users but lost share value.

Concise: Facebook increased users but lost share value.

Wordy: We are aware of the fact that new products soar when pushed by social networking.

Concise: We are aware that new products soar when pushed by social networking.

Wordy: Student writing in that class is excellent in quality.

Concise: Student writing in that class is excellent.

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Keep It Short and Simple

Wordy: Employees have not been made sufficiently aware of the potentially adverse consequences regarding the use of these perilous chemicals.

Concise: Warn your employees about these dangerous chemicals.

 

Dump Trite “Business” Phrases

Wordy                                               Concise

As per your request                        As you request

Enclosed please find                       Enclosed is

Every effort will be made              We’ll try

Please do not hesitate to              Please

With reference to                            About

 

Rescue Buried Verbs

Wordy                                                Concise

Conduct a discussion of                 Discuss

Give consideration to                     Consider

Make an assumption of                 Assume

Perform an analysis                        Analyze

Reach a conclusion that                 Conclude

Engage in the preparation of        Prepare

 

Control enthusiasm and Guard Against Excessive Use.

Wordy: We totally agree that we really did not give his proposal a very fair review.

Concise: We agree that we did not give his proposal a fair review.