When writing, it’s sometimes easy to be wordy and use unnecessary phrases. A Seattle startup is out to fix that problem with a click of a button.

WordRake is a software that scans documents and suggests edits for more clear and concise statements. The City of Seattle announced today that it has implemented WordRake to help several departments — transportation, purchasing, mayor’s office — tidy up their prose. 

The software, which can edit a 10-page document in 30 seconds and eliminates useless words, was originally designed for lawyers. But now other agencies and businesses are realizing the need for an editing software like this which can be easily integrated with Microsoft Word.

Based on total survey responses by beta participants, 84 percent of lawyers say WordRake improves their writing and/or saves time.

WordRake founder Gary Kinder.

“Once I saw WordRake in action, I realized the software would work well for anyone in government, not just lawyers,” Nancy Locke, Director of Purchasing for the City of Seattle, said in a press release. “It takes the bureaucracy out of our writing.”

The city will use WordRake to edit contracts, letters, ordinance language, and policy documents.

WordRake, which has six patents, offers three-tier pricing based on number of years. The service is $99 for one year, $178 for two years and $237 for three years. Prices decrease with the more licenses bought.

WordRake was founded last July by Gary Kinder, a lawyer, author and writing instructor. Kinder has taught over 1,000 writing programs to law firms and wrote the New York Times bestseller Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea.

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