Brevity: Difference between revisions
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'''Brevity''' is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text. '''Brevity''' according to Webster "is the quality of being brief: such as the use of few words to say something". | '''Brevity''' is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text. '''Brevity''' according to Webster "is the quality of being brief: such as the use of few words to say something". | ||
== Writing for Brevity == | === Writing for Brevity === | ||
When writing for brevity and avoiding "humbug and general vagueness" Orwell suggests that you do the following: | When writing for brevity and avoiding "humbug and general vagueness" Orwell suggests that you do the following: | ||
1. Never use a long word where a short one will do. | #1. Never use a long word where a short one will do. | ||
2. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. | #2. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. | ||
3. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. | #3. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. | ||
Revision as of 08:20, 5 April 2013
Brevity is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text. Brevity according to Webster "is the quality of being brief: such as the use of few words to say something".
Writing for Brevity
When writing for brevity and avoiding "humbug and general vagueness" Orwell suggests that you do the following:
- 1. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
- 2. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
- 3. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.