Always revise "be" verbs (is, are, was, were, be, being) unless they appear for emphasis or serve as an equal sign (such as: "Molière is a genius", i.e. Molière = a genius) especially "helping" verbs:

Example (wordy):  Molière is referring to the hypocrites rather than to the Church.

Revision (concise):  Molière refers to the hypocrites rather than to the Church.


Example 2 (wordy):  Lu Xun is describing the condition of all humanity.

Revision (concise):  Lu Xun describes the condition of all humanity.