diff --git a/github/Github.py b/github/Github.py
index 26ec703d..cc811c3b 100644
--- a/github/Github.py
+++ b/github/Github.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class Github:
         return status
 
     def __rawRequest( self, verb, url, input ):
-        assert( verb in [ "HEAD", "GET", "POST", "PATCH", "PUT", "DELETE" ] )
+        assert verb in [ "HEAD", "GET", "POST", "PATCH", "PUT", "DELETE" ]
 
         b64_userpass = base64.b64encode( '%s:%s' % ( self.__login, self.__password ) )
         b64_userpass = b64_userpass.replace( '\n', '' )
diff --git a/github/GithubObject.py b/github/GithubObject.py
index df14d860..2d12775a 100644
--- a/github/GithubObject.py
+++ b/github/GithubObject.py
@@ -110,15 +110,15 @@ class ListOfReferences:
         ]
 
     def __executeAdd( self, obj, toBeAdded ):
-        assert( isinstance( toBeAdded, self.__type ) )
+        assert isinstance( toBeAdded, self.__type )
         obj._github._statusRequest( "PUT", obj._baseUrl + "/" + self.__attributeName + "/" + toBeAdded._identity )
 
     def __executeRemove( self, obj, toBeDeleted ):
-        assert( isinstance( toBeDeleted, self.__type ) )
+        assert isinstance( toBeDeleted, self.__type )
         obj._github._statusRequest( "DELETE", obj._baseUrl + "/" + self.__attributeName + "/" + toBeDeleted._identity )
 
     def __executeHas( self, obj, toBeQueried ):
-        assert( isinstance( toBeQueried, self.__type ) )
+        assert isinstance( toBeQueried, self.__type )
         return obj._github._statusRequest( "GET", obj._baseUrl + "/" + self.__attributeName + "/" + toBeQueried._identity ) == 204
 
 class ListOfObjects: