5) If you've nothing to say, say it any way you like. Stylistic innovations, contorted story lines or none, exoticor genderless pronouns, internal inconsistencies, the recipe for preparing your lover as a cannibal banquet: feel free. If what you have to say is important and/or difficult to follow, use the simplest language possible. If the reader doesn't get it then, let it not be your fault.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If your content is trivial, style doesn't matter, but important ideas require simple language.
- In plain terms
- Use simple language for important points so readers understand them.
- What can you take from it?
- Clarity should be the priority when conveying important information.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you know if your message is clear?
- Does style ever matter more than substance?
Another view
Sometimes stylistic flair is needed to engage readers even on serious topics.
More from Larry Niven
4) It is a sin to waste the reader's time.
Permalink to quote #54 Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
Permalink to quote #56 3) Stories to end all stories on a given topic, don't.
Permalink to quote #53
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