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CertainlyWorse  No one is coming. It's just you.  3d ago (text post)   890 thread views

Speechcraft and Pithiness: Give your tips here

This isn't a large question. Because of the users we have here, I think we could all benefit from short sharp tips to edit our own words.

In this topic, can you provide advice on how to curate yourself when you throw words in speech and on 'paper'.

Links to 'speechcraft' sources are appreciated.

I'll start:

  • Take a second to think about how someone else would hear your words if they were you. (rule 0)
  • Curate and cut your words before you throw them.
  • "Brevity is the soul of wit" - Hamlet - Shakespeare.
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A small rule that I personally feel improved my editing: all adverbs and adjectives must justify their own existence. I find that they sneak into otherwise neat sentences and clog up descriptions which a reader's own imagination could fill out just fine.

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