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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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