Omillar

Omillar is a verb used primarily in editorial theory and linguistics to describe a deliberate practice of omitting nonessential information from a text while preserving its core propositions and narrative coherence. The term, a blend of omission-related roots with a modern agentive suffix, is used to discuss strategies for creating concise summaries, abstracts, or edited versions intended for audiences with limited time.

Usage and scope:

In professional editing, omillar is distinguished from simple abridgment by focusing on what to omit without altering the argumentative structure or key data. It is often contrasted with paraphrase, where wording changes accompany length reduction; omillar stresses selective omission over rewording.

Techniques:

Editors applying omillar remove tangential details, redundancies, and secondary evidence while retaining thesis, methods, results, and conclusions. In academic contexts, omillar requires clear documentation of what was omitted and why, to preserve traceability and minimize bias.

Limitations and criticism:

Critics warn that omillar can risk loss of nuance, context, or critical counterarguments if applied too aggressively. Best practices emphasize balancing brevity with integrity of the original material.

Origins and usage:

The term is a relatively recent coinage within editing discourse and appears in professional handbooks and online forums. It is used across disciplines including journalism, academia, and technical writing, sometimes interchangeably with summary or abridgment but with a distinct emphasis on selective omission.

See also:

Omission, summarization, abridgment, content trimming.