Concise

/kənˈsaɪs/ adjective

Definition

Expressing information clearly and briefly without unnecessary words.

Etymology

From Latin 'concisus' meaning 'cut short', from 'concidere' (to cut up). The metaphor suggests trimming away excess to reveal essential meaning, like a sculptor removing marble to reveal a statue.

Kelly Says

Mark Twain captured the difficulty of conciseness perfectly: 'I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.' Studies show that concise writing requires more cognitive effort but dramatically improves comprehension and retention.

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