What can you cut out to make more vigorous writing?
From least vigorous to most vigorous:
In my opinion we should get together and burn down that bookstore.
We should get together and burn down that bookstore.
Let’s burn down that bookstore!
Burn down the bookstore!
“I think” and “in my opinion” are rarely needed. Who else are you speaking for save yourself? Isn’t it clear the writer is the same in the first sentence as in the last?
Don’t worry about excluding what might seem essential elements. In the above example are the ideas of getting together and of promoting united action. You can put those thoughts in other sentences if needed. Or rewrite your key sentence.
I shouted at the group, “Burn down the bookstore!”
We find what is vigorous by constantly paring our writing.
