My four articles of faith: clarity, simplicity, brevity and humanity.
Interpretation
The quote advocates for clear, simple, and concise communication, emphasizing the importance of humanity in expression.
William Zinsser's quote highlights four essential principles for effective communication. By prioritizing clarity, simplicity, brevity, and humanity, Zinsser encourages individuals to convey their ideas in a manner that is accessible and relatable to others. This approach fosters understanding and connection, making communication more impactful.
In practice
In a presentation to help colleagues, I would start with Zinsser's quote to emphasize the importance of clear communication.
Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident. Very few sentences come out right the first time, or even the third time. Remember this in moments of despair. If you find that writing is hard, it's because it is hard. It's one of the hardest things that people do
Never hesitate to imitate another writer. Imitation is part of the creative process for anyone learning an art or a craft. Bach and Picasso didn't spring full-blown as Bach or Picasso; they needed models. This is especially true of writing.
Good writing is lean and confident.
I have no interest in teaching writers how to sell. I want to teach them how to write. If the process is sound, the product will take care of itself, and sales are likely to follow.
Don't hedge your prose with little timidities. Good writing is lean and confident. . . . Every little qualifier whittles away some fraction of the reader's trust. Readers want a writer who believes in himself and in what he is saying. Don't diminish that belief. Don't be kind of bold. Be bold.
Noise is the typographical error and the poorly designed page...Ambiguity is noise. Redundancy is noise. Misuse of words is noise. Vagueness is noise. Jargon is noise.
The greatest thing my dad taught me came from when I called him from a phone booth and said, 'Hungry. No bus token. Please. Out of options.' He said, 'Pfft, get a job.
She did her work with the thoroughness of a mind which reveres details and never quite understands them.
Think for yourself and question authority.
They deem me mad because I will not sell my days for gold; and I deem them mad because they think my days have a price.
I'm not going to get involved in a debate with you. Just remember this: the gods give, and the gods take away. Even if you are not aware of having been granted what you posses, the gods remember what they gave you. They don't forget a thing. You should use the abilities you have been granted with the utmost care.
Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.
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