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上期跟同學討論過寫文章要精簡的重要，提出了同學在寫作時應避免不必要的重複（unnecessary repetitions）以及濫用conjunctions或transitional words等問題。今期會繼續討論有關議題，如何把文章變得精簡：
「過去歷史」「最終結果」？
1. 減少long lead-ins：在寫信時，同學們會用一些常用的lead-ins：
1. This email is to inform you that you have to attend the staff meeting.
2. I am writing to complain about the service I received...
Lead-ins大多是沒有意思的，同學可考慮修改如下：
1. You have to attend the staff meeting.
2. 你應delete或運用別的起首。
2. 減少outdated expressions ：在寫business letters時，同學有時會用上一些outdated expressions（過時的表達），不但令整篇文章變得複雜，也浪費了字數。寫作時應選擇簡潔的表達方法：
過時 改為
Pursuant to your request At your request
Attached hereunto Attached
Enclosed please find Enclosed
3. 減少redundant words （多餘的字詞）：多餘的表達通常是壞習慣導致的。要修改非常容易：
多餘 改為
Past history History
Future plan Plan
Final outcome Outcome
Refer back Refer
倘若同學能減少運用這些redundant expressions，必定可提升作文或其他卷的分數。（之二）■Dr. A Chan 哲學博士，哲學碩士，英語講師。熟悉公開考試之出題模式與評分準則，任教英語。
隔星期三見報
Practice
Revise the following sentence to make it more concise.
All students are hereby informed that as a general rule, foods are strictly prohibited in the classroom in all circumstances.
Answer
Students are not allowed to eat in the classroom.
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