Communication Quote by Edgar Dale
“No one can say just how long a message should be, but you rarely hear complaints about a speech being too short. The amateur worries about what he is going to put in his speech or article. The expert worries about what he should take out.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Advice on Public Speaking, 1950s
Effective communication balances content depth with brevity; experts focus on removing excess, while novices fear omission.
In simple terms: Good speech = right length, not too long or short.
Key Takeaway
Trim excess, keep core message.
Themes
communication
brevity
editing
confidence
expertise
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing
- presentations
Key Concepts
information overload
audience engagement
clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- What essential point might you risk cutting?
- How do you decide what to omit?
A Different Perspective
Removing too much can lose nuance or essential context.
