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If you want to "get in touch with your feelings," fine…

“If you want to "get in touch with your feelings," fine, talk to yourself. We all do. But if you want to communicate with another thinking human being, get in touch with your thoughts. Put them in order, give them a purpose, use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce. The secret way…” quote by William Safire
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“If you want to "get in touch with your feelings," fine, talk to yourself. We all do. But if you want to communicate with another thinking human being, get in touch with your thoughts. Put them in order, give them a purpose, use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce. The secret way to do this is to write it down, and then cut out the confusing parts.”

William Safire

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective communication requires organizing thoughts clearly and persuasively, often through writing and editing.

In simple terms: Clear thought organization improves communication.

Key Takeaway

Write, edit, and clarify your ideas.

Themes

communication writing clarity persuasion self‑reflection

Mood

thoughtful instructive

Type

advice instructional

When to use this quote

  • drafting essays
  • business proposals
  • personal journaling
  • teaching
  • marketing copy

Key Concepts

rhetoric cognitive organization editing

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure your message matches your audience’s perspective?
  • What steps help you identify confusing parts of your writing?
A Different Perspective

Writing alone cannot guarantee understanding; audience context matters.

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