Essay · 5 min read

Write Simply

Paul Graham Free Beginner

This short essay explains why fancy language in a launch post reads as a warning sign to your reader, since ornate writing often hides the fact that the writer has nothing specific to say. It gives you a concrete test: read your post aloud, and if a sentence would embarrass you to say to a friend, cut it. This is the fastest single edit you can make to a "thrilled to announce" draft.

• Simple writing keeps you honest, it exposes empty sentences immediately.
• If a line would sound strange said out loud to a friend, rewrite it.
• Complexity in a launch post is usually covering for a lack of substance.