Today is rung 5 of 12 on this topic
Precision — saying exactly what you mean
Can do: Chooses precise words, cuts filler, and varies sentence structure deliberately.
Why it matters
Vague writing hides vague thinking. Precision is the fastest visible improvement available at this age.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Sentences padded with "really", "a lot of", "kind of" and "the fact that" — length mistaken for quality.
⏱️ Two-minute check
Take a paragraph of theirs. "Cut it by a third without losing meaning."
Solid looks like: Meaningfully shorter and clearer.
The full activity for this topic · 15 minutes
Delete Ten Words
- 1Circle every very, really, quite, a lot, basically, in order to.
- 2Delete them and reread. Almost nothing is lost.
- 3Replace two weak verb phrases with one strong verb: "made a decision" becomes "decided".
- 4Count the words before and after.
- 5Read both aloud and ask which sounds more confident.
If it's too hard
Just delete the filler words.
If it's too easy
Rewrite a paragraph in half the words and defend every cut.
Say this
"Which word is doing no work? Cut it and see if you miss it."