Senator Edward Everett and another man spoke at an event long ago. The Senator from Massachusetts had become known as one of the greatest orators of his day. His speech lasted for two and a half hours.

The next speaker spoke for less than five minutes, and almost 3/4 of the words he spoke had only one syllable.

The second speech is the one we all know of. Delivered on the battlefield at Gettysburg by President Abraham Lincoln, it is a simple, powerful, moving message.

So what’s the lesson?

Get rid of extra words. Don’t use cliches. If you have to use the phrase, “in other words,” then use those other words instead. If you’re writing, ask yourself, “Do I speak this way?” If you don’t, then rewrite it. Use simple, powerful, colorful words that don’t tax your reader or listener’s ability to understand. Yes, that means buzzwords, too.

Be direct and to the point. Say your piece, then go away.

Good night!

Oh, sorry. There aren’t 10 tips—just the one.