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CertainlyWorse  No one is coming. It's just you.  3d ago (text post)   877 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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Eh, I don't think that's always true, more words can make things clearer. For example, using examples is often helpful.

I mean yes, but at the same time getting overly verbose or going through multiple examples and hypotheticals to get to a point that is really simple for the median member of the audience to understand often means people start skimming through or in a speech tuning out. When something can be made clearer using an example, fine, but at the same time taking 5 paragraphs to make a point that can be explained in five sentences is not good writing.

For example, using examples is often helpful.

That's a beautiful piece of prose right there, and I mean that in all sincerity.

Thanks, glad you noticed! Yeah, I was pretty happy with it.

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