I Used to Look Down on the Short Sentence. But now, I understand its value.

Short sentences are great. They are clear. Clearer than longer sentences.

I grew up thinking short sentences weren’t good enough. Short sentences were low brow. They were for the simpletons.

But I was wrong. If you must send a written message, shorter is better.

This is especially true in the age of text messaging and Twitter, where characters are limited. But even outside of those arenas, shorter sentences have become increasingly popular in writing.

There are a few reasons for this trend. First, shorter sentences are easier to read. Easy reading is guaranteed reading. Tough reading may be sophisticated and high brow. But chances are slim that readers will flock to longer sentences.

Do not discount the value of a concise sentence. You would not do that as a reader. Your reading of the short sentence is evident of this fact.

You appreciate the value of a short sentence as a reader. Why not also value it as a writer. Place yourself in the reader’s shoes.

Short is clear. Short is sweet. Short almost guarantees a conveyed message.

How short? Keep chopping until the message changes. That’s the limit. This means ridding the writing of fluff. Sometimes fluff is great. Most times, unnecessary.

The atomic essay prioritizes the message. Its shortness does that by default.

Read this post and more on my Typeshare Social Blog