For certainly it is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all he has to say in the fewest possible words, or his reader is sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words, or his reader will certainly misunderstand them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Authors should practice saying everything in as few and as plain words as possible to keep readers from skipping or misunderstanding.
- In plain terms
- Write briefly and simply so readers stay engaged and understand you.
- What can you take from it?
- Be concise and clear in your writing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is your writing clear?
- Could you say this in fewer words?
Another view
Sometimes detail is necessary and brevity can lead to oversimplification.
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