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.
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
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
RE: Brevity in English
RE: Brevity in English
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
RE: Brevity in English
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
saludos.
a.
RE: Brevity in English
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
RE: Brevity in English
"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
RE: Brevity in English
RE: Brevity in English
"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
RE: Brevity in English
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
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
RE: Brevity in English
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
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
Veni, Vidi, Visa...
I came, I saw, I bought
Regards, Wil Taylor
RE: Brevity in English
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
Ciao.
RE: Brevity in English
Missed!
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