Be Brief, It's Witty
Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler's heart, kill your darlings.
—Stephen King
Have you ever struggled to read through a lengthy, convoluted piece of writing only to find yourself desperately gasping for air?
No? You must be new here.
Check out my article from a few weeks ago discussing the impact of AI through the lens of a 90s rom-com film.
I’ll wait here.
Oh! You’re fast. Welcome back.
I've been writing this newsletter for about a month, and after receiving some much-needed feedback, I realize that I have a bit of a problem:
I write too much.
This isn't easy because I LOVE words like my wife loves dresses with pockets. It’s serious. So much so that even the Merriam-Webster website reminds me often:
But don't worry. I’m working on it! I promise not to waste your time today. Instead, today I’m discussing the importance of brevity in writing. Let’s hope my newfound appreciation for brevity doesn't die off (like my favorite words).
Without further wordy ado, here are three benefits of concise writing:
Clarity
Think of concise writing as a clear window to your message. The fewer smudges, the better the view. Fancy writing is stained glass. Sure, it is pretty to look at, but if your message is on the other side of the window, then the window is in the way. So keep the window clear to ensure your message is understood, reducing the risk of confusion or misunderstanding. This is especially helpful when explaining complex ideas to a five-year-old. Or a Twitter troll.
Efficiency
Brevity lets readers quickly grasp the main points, saving time and effort. After all, nobody wants to read War and Peace to understand the benefits of eating vegetables, just like nobody wants to read recipe blogs to learn a recipe.
Engagement and accessibility
Concise writing maintains the reader's attention and is more accessible to a diverse audience. This includes those with varying levels of reading proficiency, language skills, or subject knowledge.
However!
(You knew I couldn’t stop there)
Don't be too brief!
There are potential downsides:
Oversimplification
Simplicity could lead to oversimplifying complex ideas, resulting in a loss of nuance or depth. It’s a tricky balance, and it’s important not to swing too far in either direction.
Loss of style or personality
To be concise, writers might strip their writing of a unique voice, style, or personality. Unfortunately, this makes the reading experience less engaging, memorable, or relatable.
Like this. This section, right here. Zero personality.
Inadequate context
Being overly concise might cause a writer to omit important context, leaving readers with an incomplete understanding of the message. This can be problematic in academic or technical writing, where a deeper understanding is necessary for comprehension. Missing context is like assembling a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Don’t remove pieces; build the 1000-piece puzzle with the 100-piece set.
Brevity is essential for effective communication. It promotes clarity, efficiency, engagement, and accessibility. Being more intentional with your words can help you develop a recognizable voice that resonates with your audience.
Even Shakespeare knew the value of brevity when he wrote, "Brevity is the soul of wit" (although I'm pretty sure he could've just said, "Be brief, it's witty").
Cheers.