A relatively common task assigned to copywriters and editors is reducing word count or letter count. The motivation is usually:

• aesthetic (making the copy fit on the page more pleasingly);
• restriction (where certain counts are mandatory or advisory, for example in tweets or meta descriptions, or perhaps to make sure a booklet is exactly 32 pages long);
• simplicity (where the original is technical and heavy-going, but needs a simpler rendering for a general audience); or
• for readability (simply shortening rambling text to make it shorter and quicker to read).

Although the reasons for shortening copy might differ, the end product is consistent: to say the say thing with fewer words. Let’s have a look at how to do it.

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