The Art of Smart Brevity: Writing Less, Saying More, and the 85% Rule for Learning

The Art of Smart Brevity: Writing Less, Saying More, and the 85% Rule for Learning

In today's digital age, where information is constantly bombarding us from every direction, brevity has become an art form. We find ourselves skimming through articles, barely giving them a second glance before moving on to the next piece of content. This trend is not only affecting our ability to truly absorb information, but it is also changing the way we share and interact with it.

The rise of the internet has given us unprecedented access to mass amounts of information. We can share articles, videos, and opinions with just a few clicks, and find others who will applaud and follow us for our contributions. However, amidst all this noise, we often fail to truly engage with the content we come across. A study conducted at the University of Maryland found that even when we consciously choose to read something, we spend an average of only 26 seconds looking at it. This lack of attention and focus is further exacerbated by the constant distractions that come with our digital lifestyles.

The University of California Irvine conducted a study on our distractibility and found that if we get distracted from a task, it takes us an average of 20 minutes to refocus on what is truly important. This constant state of distraction is hindering our ability to fully comprehend and retain information. So, how do we combat this information overload and ensure that our message gets across?

The key is to be concise and impactful. In that 26 seconds you have someone's attention, what is the one thing you want them to remember? Starting with the "why" is crucial. Clearly communicate the reason behind your writing or message. What is the most important point you want to convey? By focusing on the core message, you can capture the reader's attention and make a lasting impact.

But brevity is not just about writing less; it's about saying more with fewer words. It's about conveying your message in a way that is concise, yet powerful. In his TEDx talk, Jim VandeHei discusses the importance of smart brevity. He emphasizes that in this cluttered world, the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others is their time back. By being concise and to the point, we respect our audience's time and increase the chances of our message being heard and remembered.

This concept of brevity and optimal learning also extends to the field of education. Scott H Young, in his article on the 85% rule for learning, highlights the importance of finding the sweet spot for difficulty in the learning process. He references stochastic gradient-descent based learning algorithms, which have found that the optimal error rate for training is around 15.87%, or an 85% success rate. Similarly, Barak Rosenshine's study on successful classrooms found that an 80% success rate is ideal.

These findings suggest that learning is optimized when we succeed around 85% of the time. Tasks that are slightly beyond our current abilities, but can be accomplished with some support or assistance, maximize learning. This aligns with Lev Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, which emphasizes the importance of challenging ourselves just enough to foster growth and learning.

In addition, difficulty in learning can also be beneficial in certain situations. When a text or task is too easy, we tend to invest less effort into truly understanding and retaining the information. On the other hand, when faced with a more challenging text, we are forced to retrieve our background knowledge and actively engage with the material. This struggle can lead to a deeper understanding and retention of the information.

Anders Ericsson's model of deliberate practice further supports the idea that difficulty plays a crucial role in skill development. When skills become automatic and we plateau at a certain level of ability, introducing greater difficulty can push us beyond our current limitations and unlock our true potential.

Robert Eisenberg's theory of learned industriousness adds another dimension to the role of difficulty in learning. He suggests that success on hard problems can be motivating, as it instills a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the belief that effort leads to success. On the other hand, failure on challenging tasks can be demotivating and discourage further effort.

Based on these insights, here are three actionable pieces of advice to apply to both writing and learning:

1. Be concise and focus on the core message: In a world filled with distractions, capturing and retaining attention is crucial. Start with the "why" and clearly communicate the most important point you want to convey.

2. Embrace the sweet spot of difficulty: Whether it's writing, learning, or skill development, challenge yourself just enough to foster growth and learning. Tasks slightly beyond your current abilities, but achievable with some support, can maximize progress and retention.

3. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Don't be afraid to tackle difficult problems or tasks. Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Learn from your mistakes, adjust your approach, and persist in the face of challenges.

In conclusion, brevity and finding the optimal level of difficulty are key to effectively communicating and learning in our fast-paced, information-driven world. By being concise and impactful, we can capture and retain attention. By embracing the right amount of challenge, we can maximize learning and growth. So, whether you're writing or learning, remember to keep it short, focused, and just challenging enough to push yourself beyond your current limitations.