Terseness

Terseness is the quality of being concise and succinct in speech or writing; the state of using few words to express an idea clearly and effectively. It emphasizes brevity and the elimination of unnecessary words or details. A terse style avoids elaboration or embellishment, prioritizing directness and a streamlined communication approach. It's a characteristic of effective communication, where less is considered more, leading to a more powerful delivery of information.

Terseness meaning with examples

• The professor was known for his Terseness in lectures. Instead of rambling explanations, he delivered key concepts in a concise manner, expecting students to actively engage and infer additional meanings. His Terseness ensured the lessons remained focused, saving valuable class time and promoting deeper thought.
• In his novel, Hemingway employed Terseness, describing the raw emotions and pivotal events through short sentences and minimalistic descriptions. His approach created a feeling of tension, letting the reader experience the action with the characters, thereby allowing for a more engaging storytelling method.
• When delivering critical feedback, a manager can utilize Terseness to cut to the core of the issue. For example, rather than using extended explanations, they might simply say, “The report lacks crucial data,” encouraging immediate action without ambiguity.
• Legal documents often showcase Terseness to avoid any ambiguities and ensure clarity. The use of precise and condensed language helps to avoid loopholes and interpretations, as well as clarifying any necessary information. For example, this often provides a concise summary of the facts.