The same point, several times.
WHERE IT HAPPENS MOST
Long pieces Anything generated in sections Anything asked for at length
THE CAUSE
Each section is generated without full awareness of what the others said.
Length targets encourage restating.
THE FIX FOR SECTIONS
Tell it what has been covered.
"Do not repeat points covered in earlier sections. Here is what has been covered: [list]."
THE FIX FOR A SINGLE PIECE
"Remove repetition. Each point should appear once."
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The same idea in the introduction, the body and the conclusion Examples making the same point A summary restating everything
CUTTING IT
Usually removes a third of the length and improves it.
THE PREVENTION
Outline first. An outline with overlapping sections produces a repetitive piece.
Fix the structure before writing.
