PTE Writing Tips: Avoiding Redundancy

The Pearson Test for English is a computer-based English language test for non-native English speakers who want to pursue their career abroad. If you are aiming to ace this exam, you have to enroll first in a PTE academic review center that can help you enhance your English language skills. They will give you tips and strategies on how to handle the writing, reading, speaking and listening exam. For instance, the writing exam will require you in writing responses in academic English. Given that situation, you need to improve your writing skills by avoiding some mistakes that you commit in writing, redundancy is one.

What is redundancy?

Redundancy means repeating and already stated thought or adding information that is completely unnecessary. It makes your writing less effective because it wastes the reader's time and attention as it forces them to reread information that you have already provided.

What causes redundancy?

Before you learn how to avoid redundancy in writing, you must first identify how it sneaks into your writing.

• You write without paying attention
  When you are writing without paying attention, there is a tendency that you will overlook redundant phrases in your writing.


• You have a target word count
  Sometimes, you put so many words and phrases, regardless of its importance, just to fill a word count.

• You write to sound emphatic
  In most cases, you tend to write redundant phrases just to add weight or power to your sentences that can cause confusion to your reader.

How to avoid redundancy in writing?
Avoiding redundancy is essential in improving your writing skills. Here are ways on how to avoid redundancy. 

1. Avoid using words with the same meaning.
   
   Redundant: The reason for the flooding is because of the heavy rain.
   
   The words reason and because have the same meaning, so you only need one.
   
   Concise: The reason for the flooding is the heavy rain.


2. Avoid using an adjective that has the same definition as a word you’re already using.
   
   Redundant: His pay check came with an added bonus.
   
   The word bonus means ‘something extra’, while the adjective added also means ‘something extra, so remove the adjective.
   
   Concise: His pay check came with a bonus.


3. The same goes for adverbs you use
   
   Redundant: The coaches decided to merge together two basketball teams.
   
   The word merge means that two things are being brought together, so the adverb together is useless in this sentence.
   
   Concise: The coaches decided to merge two basketball teams.


4. Avoid using wordy phrases.
   
   Redundant: I will now make a few observations concerning the matter of contingency funds.
   
   Instead of using the phrase concerning the matter just use the word about.
   
   Concise: I will now make a few observations about contingency funds

As you begin to apply these tips, you’ll notice that your writing is becoming sharper, cleaner and more concise. Step your wring preparations a level further by enrolling in a PTE review center!

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REFERENCES:

Foster, Elizabeth “How to Avoid Redundancy in Your Writing.” Study.com. Accessed January 29, 2018. https://study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-avoid-redundancy-in-your-writing.html

"How to Improve Your Writing by Avoiding Redundant Expressions." Spellzone. Accessed January 29, 2018. https://www.spellzone.com/blog/How_to_Improve_Your_Writing_by_Avoiding_Redundant_Expressions.htm

"Put Wordy Phrases on a Diet." The Writing Center. Accessed January 29, 2018. https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CCS_wordyphrases.html.

Rapp, Brian. "Writing Concisely and Avoiding Redundancy." Writing Commons. Accessed January 29, 2018. https://writingcommons.org/open-text/collaboration/common-comments/style/1281-writing-concisely-and-avoiding-redundancy.