> [!tldr] Say less. Here's a structure to help. Smart Brevity is a name of a style of writing coined by the co-founders of Axios and Politico. [[Smart Brevity (Book)]] is all about it. > [!example] Example structure > 🔥 Six or fewer words > > Your first sentence is a well-crafted, lean version of your core message. > > **An axiom:** A pithy statement whose objective is cued by the axiom. > > - Possibly some bullets > - See [[#Principles]] for rules > - See [[#Metrics]] for following them ## Principles - [[Know Your Audience]] - Who are you talking to? - How do *they* want to hear it? - [[Know Your Message]] - Core point you want the audience to know / remember - The core point is your first sentence, post tease - Everything else is fluff ^fluff - Tease with six or fewer words - Grab their attention - Headline or email subject - Keep it short - Shorter paragraphs - Shorter sentences - Shorter words - Make is **scannable** - Use [[Axioms (Smart Brevity style)|axioms]] - Use bold - Use bullets - Use good words - No [[#^fluff|fluff]] - No [[Avoid Jargon|jargon]] - Use active verbs - Optional content under link - "Go deeper" - "For more..." - Cite sources or whatever via links at the bottom ## Metrics - tease in six or fewer words - your main point is your first one sentence **** # More ## Source - [[Smart Brevity (Book)]]