Scott Adams wrote a post that’s a powerful lesson for HR people who have to write for a living. (Don’t we all?) In The Day You Became a Better Writer, Mr. Adams says:

Business writing is about clarity and persuasion. The main technique is keeping things simple. Simple writing is persuasive. A good argument in five sentences will sway more people than a brilliant argument in a hundred sentences. Don’t fight it.

Simple means getting rid of extra words. Don’t write, “He was very happy” when you can write “He was happy.” You think the word “very” adds something. It doesn’t. Prune your sentences.

and…

Write short sentences. Avoid putting multiple thoughts in one sentence. Readers aren’t as smart as you’d think.

That’s your one-minute writing lesson from one of the finest writers and cartoonists out there. Now get writing. Keep it short.