Computers Quote by William Strunk Jr
““Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessay sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Elements of Style, 1918
Effective writing mirrors good design: eliminate excess to convey meaning clearly and efficiently.
In simple terms: Write concisely, like a clean drawing or machine.
Key Takeaway
Remove unnecessary words for clarity.
Themes
clarity
brevity
precision
Mood
educational
inspirational
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- editing essays
- business reports
- technical manuals
- creative writing
Key Concepts
writing craft
communication theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Which words in your latest draft could be cut?
- How does concision affect reader engagement?
A Different Perspective
Over‑editing can strip nuance; balance brevity with essential detail.
