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Using Fewer Words, to Make More Impact

Less is better with writing, as with so much else

Karen Banes
The Partnered Pen
2 min readNov 30, 2024

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Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Brevity is key when it comes to writing. I’ve seen a lot of online writers talking about atomic content and atomic newsletters recently. The terms imply you should keep your written content short and powerful, which is an excellent idea, though not a new one.

  • The Gettysburg address is 272 words long.
  • The Lord’s prayer is 66 words long.
  • Shakespeare’s sonnets are generally a little over 100 words long.

Some of the most impactful sentences you’ll ever say or hear are two words long.

  • I do.
  • Don’t go.
  • It’s over.
  • I’m leaving.
  • She’s gone.

I’ve written a whole article about how much of the valuable advice I’ve received in life consisted of exactly four words, and I’m a big fan of the general idea that less is better. Not always, but often.

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The Partnered Pen
The Partnered Pen

Published in The Partnered Pen

MPP friends writing about life, love, and everything else in between together.

Karen Banes
Karen Banes

Written by Karen Banes

Freelance writer sharing thoughts on life, society, creativity, and productivity. https://changetheworldwithwords.substack.com

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