Excess Quote by William Zinsser
“Few people realize how badly they write. Nobody has shown them how much excess or murkiness has crept into their style.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Your Career in Writing, William Zinsser, 1986
Many writers are unaware of the clutter and lack of clarity in their prose, leading to ineffective communication.
In simple terms: Writers often write unclearly.
Simplify and edit ruthlessly.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- editing
- teaching writing
- professional reports
- academic papers
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you identify unnecessary words?
- What habits cause vague writing?
Clutter can be intentional for artistic effect.