the byte n

A first draft for one reader

Give a piece a small, real purpose.

Original practical exercise

  1. Imagine the reader

    Choose what one reader needs to understand. You need not describe their personal information.

  2. Choose one question

    Write the question the piece will address. Put other questions on a later list.

  3. Draft to a limit

    Choose one page or another manageable boundary. Finish before polishing the opening repeatedly.

  4. Read for clarity

    Check whether the reader can follow the movement. Revise the part that obscures the main point first.

Take a moment

Which sentence helps the reader most?

All practices →