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Direct and clear doesn't always mean simple. That's the main shortcoming of this essay. It doesn't define what it means by "simple". "If you want to be clear,
by davidivadavid 6y ago
Direct and clear doesn't always mean simple.
That's the main shortcoming of this essay. It doesn't define what it means by "simple". "If you want to be clear, write clearly" is a bromide, not an essay.
- jamesrcole 6y agoThe essay is titled "Write Simply". It's about why you should try to write simply, rather than being a how-to. I think that's reasonable. It may be very difficult to precisely define what "simple" means, and it may not be that necessary: it's just telling people why (he thinks) they should aim for simplicity. Most people can make a conscious choice about how simple or complex their writing is - and this essay is advice about which direction to go in.