1
Use Data That Matters
Grab attention with just numbers and speak
to the rest.
Example 1:
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Before: 2/3 of college students change their major at least once
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After: 66% change majors
Example 2:
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Before: According to recent studies, approximately $11,400 is spent annually by the average American household on food and beverage purchases, with roughly 43% of this amount allocated to dining outside the home.
-
After: $4,900 on restaurants
This example shows how isolating the most compelling data point creates immediate impact. Rather than overwhelming readers with multiple statistics and qualifiers, the stripped-down version highlights the single most striking number.
The additional context about total food spending and percentages can be addressed verbally during your presentation. When you lead with a clean, powerful statistic, you capture attention first and can provide explanatory details afterward.
2
Clarity Over Complexity
Create key words to highlight the message. The rest can be in speaker notes.
Example 1:
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Before: Critical Repair Parts & Products Where and When You Need Them
-
After: Repairs & Products
Example 2:
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Before: Our comprehensive financial management solutions provide integrated portfolio performance tracking and real-time monitoring capabilities for optimized investment decisions.
-
After: Money Management
This example shows the power of ruthless simplification. By reducing an overwrought description to just two words, you create a memorable focal point that captures the core message.
The detailed explanation of features and benefits can be reserved for speaker notes or follow-up material. Remember, your audience needs a clear anchor point first—complexity can follow only after clarity is established.
3
Use Data That Matters
Grab attention with just numbers and speak
to the rest.
Example 1:
-
Before: 2/3 of college students change their major at least once
-
After: 66% change majors
Example 2:
-
Before: According to recent studies, approximately $11,400 is spent annually by the average American household on food and beverage purchases, with roughly 43% of this amount allocated to dining outside the home.
-
After: $4,900 on restaurants
This example shows how isolating the most compelling data point creates immediate impact. Rather than overwhelming readers with multiple statistics and qualifiers, the stripped-down version highlights the single most striking number.
The additional context about total food spending and percentages can be addressed verbally during your presentation. When you lead with a clean, powerful statistic, you capture attention first and can provide explanatory details afterward.
In a world drowning in content, brevity isn't just a virtue—it's a necessity. Every day, we're bombarded with emails, reports, and articles that take 500 words to express what could be said in 50. The most respected writers and communicators share one defining trait: they've mastered the art of "word-dieting"—the deliberate practice of trimming verbal fat until only the lean, meaningful content remains. This isn't about writing less; it's about delivering more value with fewer words.
What follows are three battle-tested rules I've developed over fifteen years of professional writing and editing. These principles have helped executives clarify million-dollar proposals, marketers craft messages that actually convert, and everyday communicators transform their writing from forgettable to impactful. Each rule targets a specific type of verbal bloat that weakens your message and taxes your reader's patience. By applying these guidelines ruthlessly, you'll develop writing that respects your reader's time while amplifying your core message.
The Power of Ruthless “Word-Dieting”
My 3 Rules to Cut Your Way to Brevity and Clarity, Every Time.