How to Write Short

1. Master the craft of short writing to thrive in the digital age

In the digital age, short writing is king.

The digital revolution demands brevity. As attention spans shrink and information overload increases, the ability to write concisely and powerfully becomes crucial. Short writing is not just about reducing word count; it's about maximizing impact in minimal space. This skill is essential across various platforms:

• Social media posts
• Email subject lines
• Headlines and subheadings
• Product descriptions
• Text messages
• Blog post introductions

Mastering short writing offers numerous benefits. It forces clarity of thought, enhances readability, and increases the likelihood of your message being read and remembered. In a world where everyone is competing for attention, those who can convey their ideas succinctly and effectively will have a significant advantage.

2. Collect and study great examples of short writing from diverse sources

I see short writing.

Become a collector of short writing. Train your eye to spot excellent examples of concise, powerful writing in unexpected places:

• Graffiti and street art
• T-shirt slogans
• Bumper stickers
• Fortune cookies
• Epitaphs and memorials
• Advertising taglines
• Song lyrics

Analyze and learn from these examples. Keep a "commonplace book" or digital collection of short writing that resonates with you. Study how these pieces achieve their impact through word choice, structure, and rhythm. By immersing yourself in diverse examples of short writing, you'll develop an intuitive sense of what works and expand your own repertoire of techniques.

3. Use strategic moves like balance, pacing, and emphasis to enhance short texts

The more powerful the message, the shorter the sentence: "Jesus wept."

Balance creates rhythm and impact. Use balanced structures in sentences and paragraphs to create a pleasing rhythm and emphasize contrasts or similarities. For example: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" (Muhammad Ali).

Vary sentence length for pacing. Alternate between longer and shorter sentences to control the reader's pace and create emphasis. A short, punchy sentence following a longer one can have a dramatic effect.

End with emphasis. Place the most important or impactful word at the end of a sentence or paragraph. This "hitting the target" technique leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

4. Harness the power of parallel structures and unexpected twists

Romance is the privilege of the rich, not the profession of the unemployed.

Parallel structures create memorable phrases. Use similar grammatical structures to emphasize relationships between ideas and create a pleasing rhythm. For example: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" (John F. Kennedy).

Surprise with unexpected twists. Set up a pattern or expectation, then subvert it for impact. This technique can be used for humor, emphasis, or to challenge assumptions. Examples:

• "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted" (Mae West)
• "The last thing I want to do is hurt you... but it's still on my list" (Anonymous)

By combining parallel structures with unexpected twists, you create short phrases that are both memorable and thought-provoking.

5. Cut ruthlessly but intelligently to achieve brevity without sacrificing meaning

Brevity comes from selection and not compression.

Prioritize ruthless editing. The key to effective short writing is not just writing less, but writing smarter. Start by identifying the core message or purpose of your text. Then:

1. Eliminate redundancies and unnecessary words
2. Replace wordy phrases with concise alternatives
3. Cut entire sentences or paragraphs that don't directly support your main point

Preserve meaning and impact. As you cut, be mindful of maintaining:

• Clarity: Ensure your message remains understandable
• Tone: Preserve the voice and style appropriate for your audience
• Key details: Keep vivid, specific information that brings your writing to life

Remember, the goal is not just brevity for its own sake, but to create a more powerful and effective piece of writing. Sometimes, a slightly longer phrase that captures the perfect nuance is better than a shorter, less precise alternative.

6. Adapt your writing style to different short forms and digital platforms

Write tight. A text needs no extra words as a drawing needs no extra lines.

Understand platform-specific constraints. Different short forms have unique requirements and best practices:

• Tweets: 280 characters, use hashtags strategically
• Headlines: Clear, concise, SEO-friendly
• Text messages: Informal, often use abbreviations
• Email subject lines: Compelling, informative, avoid spam triggers
• Photo captions: Descriptive, add context not obvious from the image

Maintain your voice across platforms. While adapting to different formats, strive to maintain a consistent voice that reflects your personal or brand identity. This consistency helps build recognition and trust with your audience across various touchpoints.

Experiment and analyze. Try different approaches and pay attention to engagement metrics to refine your short-form writing skills for each platform. What works well on Twitter might not be as effective in an email subject line, so be prepared to adapt and learn.

7. Craft compelling definitions, summaries, and lists to convey information concisely

A rule of thumb is a homemade recipe for making a guess.

Master the art of definition. A good definition:

• Captures the essence of the concept
• Uses simple language to explain complex ideas
• Provides context or examples for clarity

Create impactful summaries. When condensing longer texts:

• Identify the core message or argument
• Highlight key supporting points
• Maintain the original tone and style

Leverage the power of lists. Lists are an effective way to present information in a scannable, memorable format:

• Use parallel structure for consistency
• Start with strong, active verbs
• Group related items together
• Consider using numbers for ordered lists or bullets for unordered lists

By mastering these forms of short writing, you can quickly convey complex information in a digestible format, making your content more accessible and engaging for readers.

8. Leverage short writing to enshrine, entertain, sell, and report effectively

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Enshrine with brevity. Short writing can memorialize people, events, or ideas powerfully:

• Epitaphs
• Dedications
• Mission statements
• Commemorative plaques

Entertain through wit. Humor often relies on concise delivery:

• One-liners
• Punchlines
• Clever observations

Sell with impact. Short writing is crucial in advertising and marketing:

• Slogans
• Taglines
• Product names
• Call-to-action buttons

Report efficiently. In journalism and social media, concise reporting is key:

• Headlines
• Lead paragraphs
• Live tweets
• Breaking news alerts

By mastering short writing in these contexts, you can create lasting impressions, evoke emotions, drive actions, and convey information effectively in minimal space.

9. Marry words with visuals to create impactful short-form content

Pictures and words should not match.

Complement, don't repeat. When pairing text with images:

• Add context not obvious from the visual
• Provide insight or interpretation
• Create intriguing contrasts

Use captions strategically. Effective photo captions:

• Identify key elements in the image
• Tell a mini-story
• Provoke curiosity or emotion

Create visual-textual synergy. In formats like infographics, memes, or social media posts:

• Use text to highlight key data points
• Employ visual metaphors to reinforce written concepts
• Balance text and imagery for maximum impact

By skillfully combining words and visuals, you can create content that is greater than the sum of its parts, engaging multiple senses and increasing the memorability of your message.

Last updated: August 20, 2024