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. *
    1. "summa cum laude" or its equivalent is meaningless in a doctorate degree--it is usually specified for most or all successful candidates.
    2. The UK specification "first class honours" is however, normally considered significant. Lower classes, or just plain "honors" are not, "upper second" is sometimes significant. *
  3. "etc." -- always omit this--if they're important enough to be listed, list them. If not, don't.
  4. "featured in several news outlets : just say "described in --and list them. (Include only the most important--invcluding everything possible is citekill.
  5. "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.
  6. "held the position as " replace by "was"
  7. " has held several .... positions" -- just list them
  8. "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.
  9. "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
  10. "several awards such as " should be removed, and the awards just listed.
  11. "such as" -- just list them.
  12. "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.