Winston Churchills thoughts on communication
and brevity
‘The aim should be reports which
set out the main points in a series of
short, crisp paragraphs.
Often the occasion is best met by
submitting not a full-dress report,
but an aide-memoirs consisting of
headings only, which can be ex
panded orally if needed.
Let us have an end of such
phrases as these: ‘It is also of
importance to bear in mind the
following consideration’ or ‘consider
at ion should be given to the
possibility of carrying into effect…’
Most of these are woolly phrases
and are mere padding, which can be
left out altogether, or replaced
by a single word. Let us not shrink
from using short expressive phrases,
even if it is conversational.’