Book SummarySmart Brevity, by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Smart Brevity

In today’s world, if you want to be heard, you have to cut straight to the point. Traditional, long-form writing and presentations are no longer effective due to the digital age’s constant distractions and the modern audience’s limited attention spans. Even for the most prominent and widely read publications, readers largely skim their content and give up after the first few paragraphs. Has technology destroyed reading, or is there a better way to capture and retain your audience's attention?

In Smart Brevity, published in 2022, Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz argue for a concise and direct approach to communication. They introduce a method of communicating that prioritizes clarity, concision, and audience engagement while respecting your readers' limited time. Overall, their strategy calls for being direct, so you stand out from the chaos of our digital world and deliver something fresh and worthy of your reader's...

Smart Brevity Summary Why Be Brief?

In the digital age, we’re bombarded with content, which is why VandeHei, Allen, and Schwartz assert that most readers want you to make your point quickly. Like it or not, our information overload has diminished people's willingness and ability to focus and read deeply. Instead, we follow tweets and Instagram posts, or skim headlines instead of reading news. Therefore you, as a writer, have to contend with your reader’s general lack of attention.

The authors argue that if you want to get your message across, you have to give up on intricate, wordy writing and consider what your reader actually needs to know. However, in our emails, press releases, and memos, we often bury our message under a deluge of words. While “long-form writing” caters to our desire to explain our thoughts in detail, it fails to convey anything because it isn’t adapted to the way the internet has...

Smart Brevity Summary Make Brevity Work

The question, then, is how to grab readers in today’s crowded information marketplace. The answer is to be brief, but well-reasoned, constructing your message in a way that saves your readers’ time and respects their intelligence. VandeHei, Allen, and Schwartz outline four components of a well-structured message: a tight, punchy writing style; a strong opening sentence; a concise explanation of why the content matters; and the option for the reader to find more information if they choose to explore your subject further.

Tighten Your Writing Style

Before you write, you need to sharpen how you write. Instead of using flowery but timid language, adopt a punchy, to-the-point writing style with strong words, active voice, and visual cues.

The authors advise writers to use shorter, one-syllable words whenever possible, since they’re clearer and more memorable than multisyllable words. For instance, instead of saying that someone “made an illegal withdrawal from a financial institution,” you should write that they “robbed a bank.” Using elaborate words and uncommon terms can confuse the reader. Short, vivid words and phrases that evoke imagery are more memorable and...

Smart Brevity Summary Practical Brevity

So far, we’ve explained the fundamental tools you can use to write with brevity and clarity. In this section, we’ll cover how to apply those tools in a variety of settings beyond traditional written formats. VandeHei, Allen, and Schwartz offer strategies and techniques to make use of their principles in different communication contexts, such as social media, emails, and meetings. The authors say it’s vital that you understand your audience's expectations and tailor your communication style to each platform or context, whether it's a formal speech, a casual email, or a social media post. By being mindful of your audience, you can increase the likelihood of your message being received.

(Shortform note: Though the authors discuss adapting your writing style to your audience’s needs, when you engage in one-on-one communication, you should also factor in your recipient’s personality. In Surrounded by Idiots, communication expert Thomas Erikson identifies several personality types and how their expectations vary for written communications...

Shortform Exercise: Are You Clear and Concise?

VandeHei, Allen, and Schwartz argue that since the digital age has changed how people read, we all have to adapt and change the way we write—especially if we want other people to pay attention to what we write about. The authors recommend using a strong, active voice to write clear opening statements and brief explanations about why your message matters. Think about your professional style of writing and whether it conforms to Smart Brevity’s principles.

Think back to the last email or report that you wrote to explain something important. How long was the message? Did you start by stating your key point, or was it buried deep in the document? What could you have done to make it shorter?