Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is a common occurrence in all writing, and among the best writers.
William Strunk, Jr.Read
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages clear and confident communication.
William Strunk, Jr. emphasizes the importance of using strong and assertive language in communication. By avoiding vague or hesitant expressions, one can make their statements more impactful and persuasive, ultimately enhancing the clarity of their message and the confidence of the speaker.
Themes
AssertivenessCommunicationClarityConfidenceLanguage
In practice
Example use cases
In a public speaking event to encourage effective communication skills.
More from William Strunk, Jr.
All quotes βThe surest way to arouse and hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definitive, and concrete. The greatest writers - Homer, Dante, Shakespeare - are effective largely because they deal in particulars and report the details that matter. Their words call up pictures.
William Strunk, Jr.Read
Instead of announcing what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
William Strunk, Jr.Read
The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity.
William Strunk, Jr.Read
Avoid fancy words....If you admire fancy words, if every sky is beauteous, every blonde curvaceous, every intelligent child prodigious, if you are tickled by discombobulate, you will have bad time Reminder 14.
William Strunk, Jr.Read
Rather, very, little, pretty - these are the leeches that infest the pond of prose, sucking the blood of words. The constant use of the adjective little (except to indicate size) is particularly debilitating; we should all try to do a little better, we should all be very watchful of this rule, for it is a rather important one, and we are pretty sure to violate it now and then.
William Strunk, Jr.Read
Similar quotes
No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, for 'we' are the only thinkers in our mind. When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives.
Louise L. HayRead
I hate to see anybody sink. I hate to see anybody lose their dream, lose their home, something like that.
Clint EastwoodRead
I relax and cast aside all mental burdens, allowing God to express through me His perfect love, peace, and wisdom.
Paramahansa YoganandaRead
I'm a very positive person, but this whole concept of having to always be nice, always smiling, always happy, that's not real. It was like I was wearing a mask. I was becoming this perfectly chiselled sculpture, and that was bad. That took a long time to understand.
Alicia KeysRead
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.
Washington IrvingRead
Certain brief sentences are peerless in their ability to give one the feeling that nothing remains to be said.
Jean RostandRead