Wikipedia:The problem with elegant variation

This is an essay on pitfalls in fixing repetition. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Shortcuts WP:ELEVAR WP:ELVAR WP:SECONDMENTION

This page in a nutshell: Don't overuse synonyms — they distract readers and remove clarity.

Elegant variation is the attempt to relieve repetition by replacing words with synonyms. For example:

• "Three homes were destroyed by a five-alarm fire yesterday. Neighbors reported the blaze about 4 pm. Two firefighters were injured battling the inferno. Officials called the conflagration suspicious."
• "Pope Paul waved from the balcony. As the Supreme Pontiff raised his hand, it became apparent that the Holy Father's glove had a large black stain, causing great embarrassment to the Bishop of Rome."

The English lexicographer H. W. Fowler coined "elegant variation" as an ironic criticism of this strategy.

Elegant variation distracts the reader, removes clarity, and can introduce inadvertent humour or muddled metaphors. It can confuse readers who are unaware, for example, that the Pope is the Bishop of Rome. It fails to fix the real cause of repetitive prose, which is usually repeated information, not repeated words. In other words, elegant variation treats the symptom and not the cause.

By removing elegant variation and using plain English instead, prose becomes clearer and simpler overall.