Want to be a better writer? Learn to “write small.”
The best advice to hone good writing techniques typically encourages one to pack loads of meaning and emotion into the fewest possible words. While this is more challenging in a language like English compared to one like Latin, even beginners can make use of this critical writing tip. American novelist Ernest Hemingway’s works often contain powerful examples of small writing. He was once challenged to tell an entire story in only six words. Here’s how he did it:
“For sale: baby shoes, never used.”
In six words, he told a complete short story in our minds—a story of a child lost. Did the child die? If so, how? Grief. Sadness. A mother’s desire to move on with her life. Were there money problems?
That which was not said makes that which was said all the more significant. This is the power of small writing and shrewd word choice.
While traditional writing advice discourages the use of clichés, we should remember why they stick in our minds so well. Yes, while they tend to be true (depending on your point of view), what makes clichés endure is that they perfectly embody the art of writing small. They immediately grab the reader’s attention and tend to avoid the use of passive voice. Young writers are often drawn to them for the elderly wisdom they appear to dispense. Though clichés are still a faux pas to use, don’t be afraid to learn from their effectiveness.
Examples include:
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
- “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
- “Haste makes waste.”
Any writing style can benefit from the improved sentence structure of small writing. Take care with academic writing, however, as it is generally frowned upon not to qualify most statements and sometimes there is little room to simplify abstract concepts. Writing fiction is a different story, and the writing process is more at the discretion of the author. If you are suffering from writer’s block, remember that your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect.
A key component of writing small is to edit long phrases into shorter ones which only contain the good stuff. Here are some examples that you can use right away to help put small writing principles into action on your next writing project!
| Before | After |
| a majority of | most |
| a number of | some, many |
| at an early date | soon |
| at the conclusion of | after, following |
| at the present time | now |
| based on the fact that | because |
| check out | check |
| despite the fact that | although |
| due to the fact that | because |
| during the course of | during |
| during the time that | during, while |
| have the capability to | can |
| in connection with | about |
| in order to | to |
| in regard to | regarding, about |
| in the event of | if |
| in view of the fact that | because |
| it is often the case that | often |
| it is our opinion that | we think that |
| it is our recommendation that | we recommend that |
| it is our understanding that | we understand that |
| make reference to | refer to |
| of the opinion that | think that |
| on a daily basis | daily |
| on the grounds that | because |
| prior to | before |
| relative to | regarding, about |
| so as to | to |
| subsequent to | after |
| take into consideration | consider |
| until such time as | until |