Less > More

Growing up, we've always had the idea that writing more meant it was better. We disregarded quality over quantity. This is specifically done by Collegeboard, the organizers of the SAT. According to their rubric, test readers are only allowed thirty seconds for every essay. In those thirty seconds they must identify the thesis, examples that support the thesis, a conclusion that wraps it all up, and the length. A study conducted by a student showed the correlation between the length of the essays and the scores they got. "Milo says out of 115 samples, longer essays almost always garnered higher scores."(ABCNews Has Teen Unlocked the Secret to a Better SAT Score?) This type of essay has gone through much controversy since its incorporation to the SAT in 2005. Experts say it doesn't measure a students true skill of writing if ultimately length is what affects the score. "Milo's advice? For a higher score, write more."(ABCNews Has Teen Unlocked the Secret to a Better SAT Score?)

Shields would disagree with Collegeboard. He points this out when he states, “The merit of style exists precisely in that it delivers the greatest number of ideas in the fewest number of words” (127). He believes in quality over quantity and suggests that by being concise, the point is reached out more effectively. It's easier to understand a point if explained briefly but well. Long texts might confuse the reader and even bore him/her.

Another point that supports Shield's argument is Kimball's project of writing post cards. He fills hundreds of post cards with people's experiences. Last time I checked, post cards were 9x13 centimeters. That's pretty small. "Sometimes these interviews have run to more than 5,000 words. As the life stories get longer - 508 words is the longest so far - my handwriting has got smaller."(The Guardian Brief Lives) Kimball is forced to compress long and interesting stories into a brief summary. Though, he does it with no problem and the end result is people enjoying his results.

“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what everyone else says in a whole book-what everyone else does not say in a whole book” (129) I wouldn't mind having everything summarized. I am the type of person who gets bored after reading an excerpt with no end in sight. Most of them are just the same old thing repeated or lines of uninteresting junk. In the end, getting your point across is what matters. There is no point in writing something if you don't want your audience to understand.