How to write

I’ve read many books over the last few years.

I mean, I always loved reading, but the last few years I seriously got back into it.

And I came to appreciate good writing.

I think I even became a better writer myself.

I noticed that good writing means simple writing.

That is, to speak clearly and precisely. No fluff.

I first noticed this when reading Paul Graham.

He has a distinct way of communicating ideas in a simple manner.

He communicates advanced concepts with simple words.

Every read is thought-proviking. That is because new ideas are introduced.

That makes it a pleasure to read.

My favourite authors write in this approachable way.

The formala seems to have been discovered by Scott Adams.

He wrote a great article titles “The day you became a better writer”.

I used to be on the Dilbert blog, but it’s no longer available.

So I am reposting it here:

“I went from being a bad writer to a good writer after taking a one-day course in “business writing.” I couldn’t believe how simple it was. I’ll tell you the main tricks here so you don’t have to waste a day in class.

Business writing is about clarity and persuasion. The main technique is keeping things simple. Simple writing is persuasive. A good argument in five sentences will sway more people than a brilliant argument in a hundred sentences. Don’t fight it.

Simple means getting rid of extra words. Don’t write, “He was very happy” when you can write “He was happy.” You think the word “very” adds something. It doesn’t. Prune your sentences.

Humor writing is a lot like business writing. It needs to be simple. The main difference is in the choice of words. For humor, don’t say “drink” when you can say “swill.”

Your first sentence needs to grab the reader. Go back and read my first sentence to this post. I rewrote it a dozen times. It makes you curious. That’s the key.

Write short sentences. Avoid putting multiple thoughts in one sentence. Readers aren’t as smart as you’d think.

Learn how brains organize ideas. Readers comprehend “the boy hit the ball” quicker than “the ball was hit by the boy.” Both sentences mean the same, but it’s easier to imagine the object (the boy) before the action (the hitting). All brains work that way. (Notice I didn’t say, “That is the way all brains work”?)

That’s it. You just learned 80% of the rules of good writing. You’re welcome.”

All credits to Scott Adams.

Rest in peace.