Books Quote by Isaac Asimov
“What lasts in the reader's mind is not the phrase but the effect the phrase created: laughter, tears, pain, joy. If the phrase is not affecting the reader, what's it doing there? Make it do its job or cut it without mercy or remorse.”
About This Quote
The impact of words matters more than the words themselves; if they don’t affect the reader, they’re unnecessary.
In simple terms: Effect matters more than phrasing.
Write for impact, cut ineffective text.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- editing
- teaching
- marketing
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotion does your phrase evoke?
- How can you test a phrase’s impact?
May overlook subtle nuances.