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Style Tips

How to Avoid Redundancy

Writers often become redundant in an effort to be emphatic. Use no more words than are necessary to convey your meaning.

In the following examples, the words in bold are redundant and should be omitted.

  • They were both alike
  • a total of 68 participants
  • instructions, which were exactly the same as those used
  • absolutely essential
  • has been previously found
  • small in size
  • one and the same
  • completely unanimous
  • period of time

(adapted from the fifth edition of APA's Publication Manual, © 2001)

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Related Topics

Removing Bias in Language
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red arrow Sexuality

Electronic Media
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red arrow Electronic Media Spelling Guide

Authorship Aids
red arrow Ethics of Publication
red arrow Determining Authorship: Students

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