Paul GrahamThe Morris Technique
Do not say anything unless you are certain it is worth hearing, and be willing to delete entire paragraphs or essays that do not meet this standard.
All topics
Topic
Writing
Writing that gets read
Picked for this topic from the basic records of many masters.
Principles
24Principles are our summary of their public statements.
- Paul Graham
Marc AndreessenPrefer Long-Form for Nuance
Short-form communication is prone to being inflammatory and taken out of context; use longer formats for intellectual or sensitive topics.
Kevin KellyMaster the art of pithy observation
Effective communication involves distilling complex experiences into brief, impactful, and insightful reports.
Andrew Chen Write to Sharpen Your Mind
Use writing and answering difficult questions as a tool to clarify and improve one's own internal logic and decision-making.
Derek SiversPrioritize brevity over filler
Audiences never complain about a talk being too short, so focus on the core surprising insight rather than adding unnecessary context.
Wes Kao Front-load the context
Start sentences with phrases that tell the reader how to feel or what to look for before giving them the data.
David Perell Shrink the Internet
Write about niche, off-the-beaten-path subjects to attract a high-quality, specific group of like-minded people.
Dale CarnegieAvoid Over-Ornamentation
Description loses its power when carried to an extreme; one should not embroider a simple tool like a dust-cloth.
Jordan PetersonStrive for intellectual density
Great writing should be so dense with meaning that every sentence is worth attending to and offers something new to the reader.
Henry David ThoreauEvolve beyond mere prettiness
As a creator matures, they must move from delicate aesthetics to work that is more worldly, clear, and nourished by the realities of life.
Benjamin FranklinFocus on expression over invention
When practicing language skills, use a fixed subject to isolate and improve expression without the distraction of original invention.
Stephen KingLet characters lead the story
A writer should start with a situation and then allow characters to act according to their own nature rather than forcing them toward a predetermined outcome.
Benjamin GrahamDocument core principles for longevity
Writing down a clear investment philosophy in books ensures that professional influence lasts for decades and reaches future generations.
Andrew CarnegieAuthenticity Over Artifice
Success in communication and writing comes from being one's natural self rather than trying to impress others.
Jason FriedSpeak the Customer's Language
Avoid technical jargon, internal lingo, and acronyms to ensure the interface is clear to the actual audience.
David Heinemeier HanssonPrioritize the Reader's Ease
Good writing requires the character to do the hard work of clarifying thoughts so that the reader has an easy experience.
Fred WilsonUse Visuals to Spark Thought
Staring at a single image can lead to deeper metaphors and reflections on complex topics like society or business.
Justin Welsh Prioritize Skimmable Formatting
Use punchy, digestible structures and skimmable first lines to increase engagement and retweets.
Adam SmithPractice translation to improve style
One should frequently practice translating texts to refine their own writing style and command of language.
James ClearAudit work by listening
Reading work aloud can reveal dissonance and errors that are not apparent when reading silently.
Steven PressfieldStudy vivid and immediate communication
Analyze examples of riveting prose to learn how to convey action and emotion without unnecessary filler.
Wes Kao Vary Sentence Rhythm
Mixing short and long sentences creates a dynamic pace that keeps the reader engaged and moving quickly through the text.
David Perell Leverage Revision for Better Outcomes
Unlike speech, writing provides the opportunity to reconsider and refine a message before it is finalized, leading to more rational and logical communication.
- Henry David Thoreau
Authenticity Over Instruction
True readability and the ability to connect with others come from one's nature and genuine interest in life, rather than from formal instruction alone.
Episodes
12Episodes are real events from public sources, summarised by us.
- Paul Graham2021
The Saltintesta Goal
Paul Graham describes his writing philosophy using the metaphor of 'saltimbocca'. He aims for 'saltintesta', where ideas leap into the reader's head effortlessly.
LessonThe best communication happens when the medium becomes invisible and only the message remains.
Tim Urban2016The Society Folder Birth
Tim intended to write a quick mini-post about societal trends but found himself unable to start due to the topic's complexity and fear. He ended up creating multiple note documents that eventually ballooned into a six-year obsession.
LessonA simple idea can spiral into an overwhelming project if you lack a clear scope or boundary from the start.
- Kevin Kelly
Summarizing What Technology Wants
An Italian newspaper asked Kelly to summarize his book in 1,500 words. He used the opportunity to refine his thesis that technology has a moral dimension and a positive trajectory.
LessonConstraints can force a founder to distill their complex vision into a single, powerful core message.
- Derek Sivers2021
Writing How to Live
Derek Sivers spent thousands of hours distilling 50 years of life experience and 400 books into a single volume. He started with a rough draft of over 1,300 pages and edited it down to just 112 pages.
LessonExtreme brevity and density can make a product feel like a timeless masterpiece rather than just another piece of content.
David Ogilvy1959The Rolls-Royce Research
Before writing the ad, David Ogilvy spent three weeks meeting with engineers and studying the car. He found a journalist's quote about the electric clock being the loudest noise and used it as the headline.
LessonGreat marketing ideas often come from deep immersion in the product's technical details rather than pure imagination.
Robert Greene2012The Mastery Research Challenge
Robert Greene realized that his book Mastery required connecting disparate fields without a single foundational source book. He had to interview contemporary masters and dig into the childhoods of historical figures like Charles Darwin.
LessonWhen a project grows in complexity, you must adapt your research and organizational methods to stay in control.
Russell Brunson 2026Rapid VSL Creation with AI
Russell shifted from giving AI simple prompts to providing deep context and a structured process. This allowed him to write three 50-page long-form Video Sales Letters in a single day that performed at the highest level of his career.
LessonAI produces professional-grade results only when guided by a rigorous process and sufficient background data.
Wes Kao Studying Fiction for Marketing
Wes studied the craft of fiction writing specifically to improve her non-fiction marketing copy. She realized that fiction techniques help in making readers feel emotions and translating warmth into digital communication.
LessonLearning creative arts can provide unique tools to make business communication more human and emotionally resonant.
Ernest Hemingway1929The Struggle for the Perfect Ending
헤밍웨이는 소설 '무기여 잘 있거라'의 결말을 쓰는 데 큰 어려움을 겪었어요. 그는 스스로 만족할 때까지 결말을 39번이나 다시 썼으며, 나중에 발견된 판본에는 무려 47개의 대안 결말이 포함되어 있었어요.
LessonGreat work often requires an exhaustive process of trial and error to find the right conclusion.
Ralph Waldo Emerson1844Publication of Second Essays
Emerson published his second series of essays in 1844, covering topics like 'The Poet' and 'Experience'. These writings reflected a less tranquil state of mind and a focus on honesty regarding human limitations.
LessonHonesty in acknowledging one's lack of control can lead to more profound and authentic creative work.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheMastery of the Novelle
괴테는 독일 산문의 엄격한 예술적 형식인 노벨레의 거장으로 인정받았어요. 그는 서정 시인이기도 했기에 절정으로 향하는 과정에 특유의 분위기와 매력을 불어넣을 수 있었어요.
Lesson핵심적인 사건에 집중하는 엄격한 형식을 갖추는 것이 전문성을 높여줘요.
Friedrich NietzscheEvolution of Communication Style
메테를링크는 자신의 초기 대화법이 마치 잠꼬대하는 사람들의 말처럼 단절되어 있었다고 비판하며, 이를 리듬감 있고 흐르는 듯한 언어로 개선했어요. 그는 단순함을 유지하면서도 더 명확하고 힘 있는 소통 방식을 택했어요.
Lesson자신의 소통 방식을 끊임없이 비판하고 개선함으로써 더 큰 영향력을 발휘할 수 있어요.