HOME SERVICES PORTFOLIO TESTIMONIALS CONTACT

Clear and Concise Writing The Paramedic Method

By: Holly McReavy

"When you are editing, the final master is Aristotle and his poetics. You might have a terrific episode, but if people are falling out because there are just too many elements, you have to begin to get rid of things."
-Ken Burns

Editing with The Paramedic Method

The most important step in clear and concise writing is editing. The Paramedic Method, created by Richard Lanham, a UCLA English professor, is a process used to cut the fat out of copy. The Paramedic Method requires you to read each sentence individually. Then, take each sentence through the following six steps. The final product is the most clear and concise copy possible.

1. Circle the prepositions.
2. Circle the "to be" verb forms.
3. Ask yourself: "Who's kicking whom?"
4. Use simple active verbs.
5. Start fast.
6. Read the passage aloud.

The Paramedic Method ensures clear and concise copy every time you pick up your pen.

Writing Examples

At the end of each page I will illustrate the effectiveness of the Paramedic Method by taking the following 30-word sentence through each step.

The truth of it all is that computers are simply amplifiers
of the capabilities of workers and exist only as they are able to do the
bidding of workers competently.