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Brevity in English
4

Brevity in English

Brevity in English

(OP)
One recent post discussed the use of "we" vs. "I" in Engineering reports.  While that dealt with the voice of a report, we've also discussed the need to be concise and as simple as possible in our writings.

I came across the story of Earnest Hemmingway being once challenged to write a story in six words.  Rumor has it that he considered his result

"For sale: baby shoes, never used."

to be his greatest work. In its most recent issue, Utne reprinted a piece from the Fall 2004 issue of BlackBook in which that magazine asked 25 big-name writers to write their own six-word stories. Here are some of the highlights:

Irvine Welsh: "Eyeballed me, killed him. Slight exaggeration."

Robert Olen Butler: "Saigon hotel. Decades later. He weeps."

Norman Mailer: "Satan--Jehovah--fifteen rounds. A draw."

Tobias Wolff: "She gave. He took. He forgot."

David Lodge: "I saw. I conquered. Couldn't come."

Augusten Burroughs: "Oh, that? It's nothing. Not contagious."


Here's a few more anonymous ones I gleaned from some blog:

I feel nothing. I am blessed.

He took a chance. Nations rejoiced.

Her call echoed. The world shuddered.

Through his works he never died.

Hope springs eternal. Despair makes headlines.

Two newlyweds. No money. Merry Christmas.

RE: Brevity in English

My versions...

   Data shows it wasn't my fault.

   Ran the numbers.  Can't be done.

   Boss thinks he's right.  He isn't.

and the old favorite...

   Two men walk into a bar.

RE: Brevity in English

(OP)
Upon awakening, the doctor grimly smiled.

RE: Brevity in English

Dream girl: loves potential; forgives underperformance.

RE: Brevity in English

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RE: Brevity in English

rnd2 (Materials)
What on earth is going on?

RE: Brevity in English

Read the original post. It's simple!

It's time for bed. G'night all.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091
How to post Images

RE: Brevity in English

abeltio (Mechanical)
hello, she said. twenty years later.


saludos.
a.

RE: Brevity in English

Hmmm ... could this be the start of a 'six word only' "Your turn" story ???

You have a daughter ... she's pregnant!


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091
How to post Images

RE: Brevity in English

justkeepgiviner (Mechanical)
"Not again.." thought the flapping goldfish.

RE: Brevity in English

Quality programs thoughtfully created, poorly executed.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Brevity in English

can do, will do, you bet !

RE: Brevity in English

It's not mine??!!  Whose is it???!!!

RE: Brevity in English

I didn't do it, did you?

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Brevity in English

I didn't; should I have?

RE: Brevity in English

Alright, I'll have to cheat as this is seven words, but it's one that my wife came up with way back in high school for those stupid poetry assignments that we had to do in English class:


The Road.  The Cat.  The Car.  SPLAT!

Edward L. Klein
Pipe Stress Engineer
Houston, Texas

"All the world is a Spring"

All opinions expressed here are my own and not my company's.

RE: Brevity in English

Shortest science fiction story ever:

Something happened that never happened before.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Brevity in English

(OP)
StressGuy - very very good!  That's even happened to me before.

RE: Brevity in English

Similar thing happened to me, but to keep it in context with this thread:

Four opossums, one car: car wins.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Brevity in English

Was that it? No second chance?

RE: Brevity in English


Longest sentence in the english language:

I do

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein

RE: Brevity in English

My wife's theme..

Veni, Vidi, Visa...

I came, I saw, I bought

Regards, Wil Taylor

RE: Brevity in English

wktaylor,

I like it, it applies to my wife too.  I will have to get it printed on a t-shirt or something.

Note: I like the saying, not the fact that she knows how to give the Visa a work out.

RE: Brevity in English

Took the wrong turn, reached crossroads.

Ciao.

RE: Brevity in English

Doe! Road. Break! Steer! Waiting!
Missed!

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