Quick note: This recipe is from my Prompt Hackers Cookbook - a collection of 220+ copy-paste ready AI prompts organized by what you’re trying to accomplish.
The Problem
You need to cut 30% of your writing without losing meaning or starting over.
The Outcome
Tighter writing that says the same thing in fewer words, with improved flow and punch.
Time Required: 10 min
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Best Platform: ChatGPT (faster at line editing)
The Recipe
I need to cut this writing by approximately 30% while keeping the meaning.
Current word count: [NUMBER]
Target word count: [NUMBER - should be about 30% less]
Content to tighten: [PASTE YOUR SECTION - up to 1000 words works well]
Cut the word count by:
Removing redundant phrases and repeated ideas
Eliminating filler words and weak qualifiers (”very,” “really,” “quite,” “fairly”)
Replacing wordy phrases with concise alternatives
Cutting entire sentences that don’t add value
Keeping every sentence that directly serves the main point
Show me the edited version with the same flow and tone but 25-30% shorter. Mark what you cut and briefly explain why so I can learn.
DO NOT:
Cut so much that meaning becomes unclear
Remove important examples or supporting evidence
Change my voice or tone while tightening
Make it choppy by only cutting transition phrases
Ingredients Needed
Content that’s too long (draft, email, article section)
Current and target word counts
Honest assessment of what’s truly necessary
Your core message clearly in mind
Cooking Instructions
Read and mark - Identify obviously redundant sections yourself first (3 minutes)
Set targets - Calculate 30% reduction (30 seconds)
Run the edit - Let AI tighten the piece (2 minutes)
Compare versions - See what got cut and why (3 minutes)
Restore the essential - Add back anything AI removed that you actually need (2 minutes)
What You’ll Get
Your content reduced by 25-30% with better flow and punch. About 80% of cuts improve the piece - you’ll wonder why you included the fluff. The other 20% might cut too deep - that shows you what was actually essential. Either way, you end up with tighter writing.
Variations
Quick Version: Just paste content and say “Cut this by 30% without losing meaning”
Deep Version: Add “Show before/after examples of the tightest cuts so I can learn the pattern”
Combine With
Recipe #1.1 (The 15-Minute First Draft) when your draft is way too long
Recipe #1.8 (The Sentence Simplifier) if sentences are also too complex
Recipe #19.1(The Tightener) for advanced line-by-line editing
Chef’s Tips
Almost everything can lose 20-30% without losing meaning - we all write long first drafts
If AI cuts something and you feel the loss, that tells you it was important - add it back and cut something else
Common cuts: introductory phrases (”It’s important to note”), hedging (”somewhat,” “fairly”), and saying the same thing twice
After using this recipe 10 times, you’ll start writing tighter first drafts because you’ll recognize the patterns
Success Metric: If the edited version communicates your point faster and more clearly, you successfully cut fat without hitting muscle.