Wikipedia:Needless words

This is a list of words that, in many contexts, indicates sloppy writing, deliberate padding, or promotional puffery. Unless they have an actual function, they should be removed.


 * 1) also usually can be either omitted or replaced by "and"
 * 2) cum laude. graduating cum laude' or is in most academic systems a nearly meaningless honor which typically implies merely a B average. *
 * 3) "summa cum laude" or its equivalent is meaningless in a doctorate degree--it is usually specified for most or all successful candidates.
 * 4) The UK specification "first class honours" is however, normally considered significant. Lower classes, or just plain "honors" are not, "upper second" is sometimes significant. *
 * 5) "etc." -- always omit this--if they're important enough to be listed, list them. If not, don't.
 * 6) "featured in several news outlets : just say "described in --and list them. (Include only the most important--invcluding everything possible is citekill.
 * 7) "first ever" --and even "first" always needs a 3rd party reliable published source, not a press release or blog. A general newspaper saying a scientific or technical accomplishment is the first, is not reliable for the purpose.  This especially applies to first person to do something of any particular group or geography.
 * 8) "held the position as "  replace by "was"
 * 9) " has held several .... positions" -- just list them
 * 10) "leading" as in "the leading company" -- if it actually ranks first by some measure, then it needs a   3rd party reliable published source, not press releases or blogs; otherwise it's meaningless.
 * 11) "prestigious". If it's notable in the sense of having a WP article, just linking it is enough; if it's not notable, then the designation is meaningless
 * 12) "several awards such as " should be removed, and the awards just listed.
 * 13) "such as" -- just list them.
 * 14) "well known" -- same as "prestigious"
 * 1) "well known" -- same as "prestigious"


 * 1) "titled", as in "published a book titled XYZ", which should be "published a book "XYZ", or if no ambiguity, "published XYZ"
 * 2) "was recruited for" normally means just "joined" or "started work at" a company or other organization.
 * 3) "was appointed/elected to the position XYZ" should be "was appointed/elected XYZ"


 * In a very detailed biography, these may be appropriately given.