You know, I’ve really been thinking about this a lot lately. You step up to the podium, the microphone’s right there, and you see all those faces looking at you, waiting for what you’re going to say. In that exact moment, being clear is everything, making an impact is vital, and honestly, every single word that doesn’t need to be there just weakens what you’re trying to get across.
We live in a world where everyone’s attention span is shrinking, where we’re swimming in information. Being able to get deep ideas across with incredible precision isn’t just a good skill, it’s like having a superpower. What I want to share with you here is my approach to writing speeches that really hit home, not because they’re long, but because they’re concise, powerful, and truly memorable. It’s not just about cutting words. It’s about getting to the core meaning, respecting your audience’s time, and making a bigger impact by being brief, on purpose.
This isn’t about dumbing down your message at all. It’s about making it smarter, more impactful. It’s about realizing that the biggest truths often come out in the simplest ways. Forget being wordy, rambling on, or doing those fancy speaking tricks that only impress you, not the people listening. We’re going to strip away everything that’s not absolutely necessary, sharpen our linguistic sword, and create speeches that cut through all the noise, aiming straight for understanding.
Breaking Down a Myth: Being Brief Isn’t Simple, It’s Smart
A lot of people think being brief means you’re not deep or sophisticated. That’s just not true, especially in speechwriting. When you’re brief, you’re actually showing you’re a master. It shows you really understand your topic, allowing you to explain complicated ideas so clearly that anyone can grasp them. It proves you get that your audience has a lot on their minds and you respect their time.
When I aim for brevity in my speeches, it’s because it’s:
- Respectful: I’m honoring my audience by getting straight to the point.
- Memorable: Short, clear points are just easier to remember and take in.
- Impactful: Every word means more when there are fewer of them.
- Engaging: A tight story keeps people hooked, stopping their minds from wandering.
- Authoritative: Speaking precisely makes you sound confident and like an expert.
Think of it like a sculptor. They chip away at all the extra marble to reveal the masterpiece inside. Your words are the raw material; your ability to be brief is the chisel.
The Foundation: Knowing Your Core Message
Before I even write a single word or think about a phrase, I mercilessly figure out my Singular Core Message (SCM). This is the absolute base of my speech. If I can’t boil down my entire speech into one clear, powerful sentence, then I haven’t truly nailed my message yet.
Here’s how I go about it:
- Define Your Purpose: Why am I even speaking? Is it to inform? To convince? To inspire? To make people laugh?
- Identify Your Audience: Who are they? What do they already know? What do they care about? What do they need to hear from me?
- State the Desired Outcome: What specific action or understanding do I want my audience to walk away with?
Once these are super clear, then I craft my SCM.
Let me give you an example:
- My first thought: “I want to talk about how important sustainable energy is and how it can help both our planet and our economy.” (Too broad, right?)
- My refined SCM: “Investing in solar power today is essential for a prosperous and environmentally stable tomorrow.” (Much clearer, actionable, with a specific outcome.)
Every single sentence, every story, every supporting detail I create after this must directly serve this SCM. If it doesn’t, it’s extra. I cut it.
The Art of Omission: My Strategic Word Economy
This is where the real work happens. Being incredibly precise with words isn’t about getting rid of every adjective or adverb; it’s about making sure every single word I choose works incredibly hard.
1. I Eliminate Redundancy and Jargon
So many common phrases just have extra words. I’ve learned to spot and get rid of them. And jargon? That just pushes people away. If my audience isn’t already super familiar with my specialized terms, I either define them super briefly or just use everyday language.
Here are some concrete examples I’ve used:
- Instead of: “In order to facilitate the process of improving our operational efficiency…”
- I say: “To improve efficiency…”
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Instead of: “We need to prioritize the core competencies that are truly essential for our strategic advantage.”
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I say: “Focus on our essential strengths.”
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Instead of: “Due to the fact that…”
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I say: “Because…”
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Instead of: “At this point in time…”
- I say: “Now…”
2. I Prefer Strong Verbs Over Weak Ones and Nouns
Passive voice, turning verbs into nouns (like “decision” instead of “decide”), and weak verbs (like “is,” “was,” “have,” “make”) just water down my message. I always go for active, direct verbs that show action and meaning in fewer words.
Check out these changes:
- Instead of: “Improvements were made by the team.” (Passive, weak verb)
- I say: “The team improved it.” (Active, strong verb)
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Instead of: “We need to make a decision.” (Weak verb, noun)
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I say: “We need to decide.” (Stronger verb)
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Instead of: “The implementation of the new policy will result in increased productivity.”
- I say: “The new policy will increase productivity.”
3. I Cut Out Filler Words and Phrases
“Um,” “ah,” “you know,” “like,” “basically,” “actually,” “in my opinion,” “I think” – these are just barnacles on your speech. They add zero value, give no information, and totally chip away at my credibility. Some are just nervous habits, but a lot of them sneak into written drafts too. I ruthlessly edit them out.
Here’s an example:
- Instead of: “So, basically, I think we should, like, actually focus on, you know, the most important aspects.”
- I say: “Focus on the most important aspects.”
4. I Condense Compound Sentences and Clauses
Often, a complicated thought can be said so much more simply by just breaking it down or combining it efficiently. I look for chances to turn two sentences into one powerful, concise one, or to simplify those really long clauses.
Look at these transformations:
- Instead of: “The project, which had many different components and required extensive collaboration, was finally completed after months of hard work.”
- I say: “Months of collaboration led to the project’s completion.”
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Instead of: “He was a person who possessed great intelligence.”
- I say: “He was intelligent.”
5. I’m Skeptical of Adjectives and Adverbs
While they can add a lot of color, using too many adjectives and adverbs often means I’m using a weak noun or verb that could be replaced with a stronger, more precise word.
For instance:
- Instead of: “He ran very quickly.”
- I say: “He sprinted.” (Stronger verb)
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Instead of: “She delivered a very amazing presentation.”
- I say: “She delivered a remarkable presentation.” (Or even just “an amazing presentation” if “amazing” truly fits perfectly.)
6. I Love the Power of a Single Word
Sometimes, one perfectly chosen word can replace an entire phrase or concept. This really requires a strong vocabulary and a surgeon’s precision.
An example of what I mean:
- Instead of: “We need to think about future possibilities and what might happen.”
- I say: “We need to envision the future.” (That’s a powerful single verb.)
Structuring for Brevity: My Architectural Approach
Brevity isn’t just about cutting words; it’s about building my speech so that every single section serves a clear, concise purpose.
1. The Hook: Immediate Engagement
My opening moments are gold. I don’t waste them with polite small talk or really long introductions. I grab attention right away with a surprising fact, a compelling question, a quick story, or a bold statement. I get straight to why my audience should even care.
Here’s how I might do it:
- Instead of: “Good morning everyone, it’s a pleasure to be here today to discuss a very important topic.”
- I say: “Every year, preventable medical errors claim more lives than car accidents. Why aren’t we talking about this?”
2. The Rule of Three: Simplification and Memorability
Our brains just love patterns, and the rule of three is such a powerful tool for making things memorable and clear. I like to present my main arguments or key takeaways in groups of three.
You’ve probably heard these before:
- “Our strategy focuses on three pillars: innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.”
- “We came, we saw, we conquered.”
- “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
This structure naturally forces me to get my points down to their absolute essence. If I have five “pillars,” chances are I’m not being brief enough. Can two be combined? Is one just less critical?
3. Strategic Use of Examples and Stories (Less is More Here Too)
Stories and examples are super powerful, but they have to be concise and directly relevant. One short, impactful story is way more effective than three long, rambling ones. Every illustrative part must clarify my SCM; it can’t be a distraction.
My actionable steps for this are:
- Keep it Brief: Can I tell my story in 30 seconds? 60 seconds? Any longer, and it risks going off topic.
- Focus on the Core Lesson: What exact point does this story illustrate? I cut any details that don’t directly feed into that lesson.
- Don’t Over-explain: I trust my audience to connect the dots themselves.
A concrete example:
- Too Long/Diffuse: “Let me tell you about a time back in 2008, when I was working at Acme Corp, and we had this project with a difficult client, Mr. Henderson. He was really particular about the font, and then there was this issue with the color palette. We had so many meetings, and one time, the projector wasn’t working, and then we finally presented the design, and he said it wasn’t quite what he envisioned, even though we had followed all his instructions to the letter, and it took us another three weeks to revise it, which really delayed everything, and it was a painful learning experience about iteration…”
- Brevity Mastered: “Our first client taught us a painful yet invaluable lesson: constant iteration, even when you think you’re done, prevents costly rework.” (The story is implied, the lesson is explicit and concise.)
4. Strong Transitions: Guiding Your Audience Seamlessly
Clear, concise transitions stop my audience from getting lost. They’re like signposts, guiding listeners from one point to the next without any unnecessary fluff.
Instead of what you often hear:
- Instead of: “Now, moving on from that point, I want to pivot to something else that is also very relevant to our discussion, which is the next logical step in our strategic planning.”
- I say: “Next, let’s consider strategic planning.”
- “This leads to…”
- “Crucially…”
- “Finally…”
5. Call to Action: The Concise Close
My conclusion isn’t the place to just rehash everything. It’s the place for impact. I reiterate my SCM and give a clear, concise call to action. What do I want my audience to do or feel or believe after I’ve finished speaking?
Here’s how I might do it:
- Instead of: “So, in conclusion, as I’ve tried to explain, sustainability is really important for the future of our planet and economy, and I believe we all have a role to play in making a difference going forward.”
- I say: “The future demands action. Join us in championing sustainable energy today.”
The Editing Inferno: Where Brevity is Forged
Writing is about creating, but editing? That’s where the real magic of brevity comes alive. This is my stage for brutally honest self-criticism.
1. I Read Aloud (and Record Myself)
This is absolutely non-negotiable for me. My ears will catch redundancies, awkward phrasing, and sentences that are way too long – things my eyes might just glide over. Recording myself lets me hear my speech exactly how my audience would, helping me pinpoint where I sound hesitant, too wordy, or just unclear.
Here’s an actionable tip:
* Listen for “Breathlessness”: If I find myself gasping for air mid-sentence, my sentences are too long. I break them down.
* Identify Verbal Tics: Am I repeating words or phrases unconsciously?
* Spot “Paragraph Sentences”: Those sentences that are so long they might as well be paragraphs. I simplify them.
2. The “So What?” Test
After every sentence, every paragraph, every single point, I ask myself, “So what?” If the answer isn’t immediately obvious and directly linked to my SCM, I cut it.
Let’s look at an example:
- Speech draft: “Throughout history, humans have always sought to innovate and improve their condition. From the invention of the wheel to the printing press, our desire for progress has been unending.”
- “So what?” Test: What does this actually contribute to my speech on “Investing in solar power”? Unless it directly leads to a point about continuous energy innovation, it’s probably just filler.
3. The “Does This Advance the Plot?” Principle
Every single element of my speech needs to push my narrative forward. If a sentence, a statistic, or a story doesn’t advance my argument, clarify a point, or truly engage the audience, it’s a distraction.
Here’s a common trap I avoid:
- Speech draft: “Solar panels are highly efficient, capturing a significant amount of the sun’s energy, and did you know that the sun is actually a star, powered by nuclear fusion, and it’s incredibly vast, roughly 109 times wider than Earth?”
- “Advance the Plot” test: Does the fact about the sun’s size or nuclear fusion truly advance the argument about solar panel efficiency? Probably not. I cut cosmic facts unless they’re directly relevant.
4. The Inverse “Swiss Cheese” Method
Instead of adding holes, I’m filling them. I imagine my speech as a block of cheese. Every unnecessary word, every convoluted phrase, every redundant idea is a hole. My goal is to make the cheese as dense and solid as possible – packed with pure, unadulterated meaning.
My actionable steps for this:
- Underline “Might Cut”: I read through my draft, lightly underlining anything I think I might be able to remove.
- Go back and delete: Then I go through a second time and aggressively delete everything I’ve underlined that isn’t absolutely essential.
- Trim 10%: I consciously aim to cut 10% of my word count. Then another 5%. This really forces me to be ruthless.
5. I Seek External Feedback (with a Specific Lens)
I share my speech with a trusted colleague or friend, but I don’t just ask, “What do you think?” I ask specifically:
- “Where did you lose interest?” (This points to something too wordy or unclear.)
- “What was my single most important point?” (This tests how well I delivered my SCM.)
- “Were there any parts that felt like they dragged?”
- “Was anything confusing?”
Their answers really help me see where my brevity or clarity fell short.
My Mental Toolkit for Sustained Brevity
Brevity isn’t just an editing skill for me; it’s a whole mindset. Cultivating this mindset transforms not just how I write speeches, but how I communicate overall.
1. I Embrace Constraints
Time limits are actually my friends. A 5-minute speech forces me to be surgically precise. A 30-minute speech gives me more room, but the principles of brevity are still there. I see constraints not as obstacles, but as creative challenges to say more with less.
2. I Practice Active Listening
Before I speak, I listen. I listen to great speakers who are known for how clear and impactful they are. I analyze how they structure their thoughts, how they pick their words, and how they use pauses and rhythm to make their message even better. I try to mimic their economy of language.
3. I Develop a Robust Vocabulary (for Precision, Not Pomp)
A rich vocabulary isn’t about using big, fancy words; it’s about having the exact right word for the job. Often, a precise synonym can condense a whole phrase into a single, powerful word.
4. I Write for the Ear, Not the Eye
A speech is meant to be heard, not quietly read. Written text can be dense, with complex sentences, because the reader can go back and re-read. A listener can’t. Sentences need to be shorter, simpler, and flow rhythmically. I use conversational language, not academic prose.
5. I Trust My Audience’s Intelligence
I don’t need to spell out every single detail. People are smart; they can connect the dots. I provide enough information to get my point across, but I avoid over-explaining. This actually empowers my audience and shows I have confidence in their understanding.
6. I Understand the Power of the Pause
Silence is such a powerful tool in speaking. A well-placed pause after a key point allows it to land, to sink in, to resonate. It emphasizes brevity by drawing attention to what was just said, rather than immediately rushing to the next idea. It gives the audience a moment to reflect, making my concise points even more impactful.
Conclusion: The Unspoken Eloquence of Less
Mastering brevity in speechwriting is an ongoing journey for me, not something I ever fully “arrive” at. It’s a skill I refine through conscious effort, rigorous editing, and a deep commitment to my audience. The ultimate goal isn’t just to speak shorter, but to speak better. To speak with such clarity, conciseness, and impact that my message, unburdened by any extra noise, cuts through all the chaos and leaves a profound, lasting impression.
When I strip away what’s unnecessary, what’s left is the true essence: my powerful message, delivered with conviction and clarity. In a world overflowing with information, the ability to communicate with precision is how you know a true leader, a true influencer, a true master of the spoken word. The less I say, the more my words genuinely speak volumes. Speak less, achieve more. Your audience, and your legacy, will truly thank you for it.