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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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I'm ambivalent about the idea. I absolutely hate wannabe writers taking out their frustrations on news articles, and enjoy it when someone arranges the info in the exact manner you describe*, and yet somehow it feel blasphemous to the written word, and when I write I gravitate to "gather 'round, I'ma tell you a story" style myself.

*) Funnily enough the only newspaper I'm aware of that's doing this is the Daily Mail.